Highlights of Archuweek ’09

May 12-17, 2009

“I’ve been touched by an angel, so impossible but true.”
-I Believe in You by Mariah Carey, Joe and 98 degrees

I never did expect it to happen, knowing Fearless Productions and their incredible knack for security, but strategy could get you somewhere. But along the way, something bad happens, but as David himself says, there’s always the bright side of things. I am getting too far ahead in my story, more so because I am actually getting excited recalling the week that was.

Ever since he set foot on the audition stage of American Idol season 7, people have fallen in love with David Archuleta, the humble high school student from Murray, Utah. Since his enticing rendition of John Mayer’s Waiting on the World to Change, fans have been growing by the number, his angelic voice paired with his genuine personality and his sincerity in delivering his performances have led America to let him land in the Finale of the record breaking show. And even upon losing the title to rocker David Cook, David Archuleta has been doing amazingly outside the idol bubble, both in America and internationally.

And yes, it has been proven that he has been doing incredibly well here in our country, as shown by his recent visit to Manila.

I wasn’t able to greet him at the airport, since I was part of another concert at the time David was to arrive. I was doing the videography for a choral festival that time. Before then, I was only virtually acquainted with some members of Archuleta Philippines.

Day 2 led me to arrive incredibly early at the Mall of Asia, where David Archuleta will be doing his meet and greet. Upon arriving, I saw two girls whom I overheard talking about Archie. Then I heard keywords like twitter and major archies and hence the following conversation:

me: hi, Archuleta Philippines?
girl 1: yeah.
me: hi, i’m AP, too. Kiwi.
girl 1: OH HI! Louise. Lettuce girl.
girl 2: I’m Che.

Hence highlight number 1: Meeting AP mems for the first time.

Okay so upon MOA’s opening (10am), we ran to the atrium to reserve some seats. BUT we had to buy these green bags so we can sit, so we did. AP was leading the line there we had reserved. We were so busy fangirling that some people were already laughing at our craziness. We didn’t care. We felt amazingly good.

Okay so fast forwarding now, to the time when I met some of the other archies, Karissa, Naree, Pet, Nette, Ayra, Alec, Alyssa, Fish etc. I am so bad at remembering names, really. But that forms part of highlight number one. Oh, and getting my first ever David Archuleta shirt care of the wonderful Fish.

We were counting down to 5pm, the time stated at the newspaper. Then it came, three DJ’s who keep stalling the time with their questions and jokes. Screams, and more screams. Tarps here and there. Few picture takings and even an interview care of Business Mirror about us being Archie Fanatics.. “Oh you see, he’s so sincere, and he has a wonderful voice, and he’s sooooooo cute aaaaaahhhhh!!!”…

At around 6:08pm, People began to shout DAVID! DAVID! DAVID!… Then the guys in black came, along with this Kris Aquino look alike, then a guy in black handing *somebody* a microphone.

Then… the angel came up the stage in his ever simple purple shirt, jeans and chuck taylor’s.

And I cannot believe how incredibly angelic he actually turned out to be in person. There’s no other word for it. ANGELIC. His eyes were glowing. No, they were SPARKLING. He was really happy to be there, it seemed.

Hence highlight number two: Meeting David Archuleta for the first time.

Sub highlights:
-DJ points at me acknowledging Archuleta Philippines and Archietects. David looks at me and Ayra. I wave at him using my camera. He laughs, and then waves, and then SMILES. I died.
-David speaks in Tagalog. “Mahal kita.” DJ points more microphones to him. “MAHAL KITA.” *followed by the ever epic shoulder shrug cuteness* I died again.
-”Salamat po!” *bow* I died again.
-”And you can actually get the BAKARDA treat tickets…” See, switched vowels are the thing today. By the way, I died again.
-David jumps and jumps. LOL. *dies*
-He turns around to greet more fans even though the guards were pushing him away already. *dies yet again*
-David tweets about MOA. LOL. I got the message via Sun Alertz on my phone. I died, by the way.

Oh yeah. I died so many times.

Had to go to the chorale festival again that night but I did go to Edsa Shangrila after that. I met Ditas who drove me to Philam Life where I had the chorale fest, and then I saw them back at Shang. I was laughing so hard because of ate Ditas’ brief encounter with David back in the lobby, and she was so overwhelmed she hardly knocked at the room. I also met Joyce here, by the way.

We went down for a while and guess who we saw? No less than David’s good ol’ man, Mr. Jeff Archuleta. He was really nice, talking and hanging out with us, and even recorded a video with him speaking in tagalog. It was sorta funny, since he wanted to know the literal translation of the words he says.

Jeff: What does po mean?
AP: It’s a sign of respect.
Jeff: Oh? But what is it’s translation in english?
AP: Well it has no translation, it’s just a sign of respect. Like salamat, becomes salamat po.
Jeff: Oh, okay.

See what I mean?

Although there was an awkward moment there, thankfully Jeff was always so nice about everything. Won’t elaborate further on that one. *winks*
We also met Johnny, David’s sound guy, as he passed through the lobby where Jeff and the AP people were. Jeff said he’s incredibly nice, and we all thought so, too.

Since I couldn’t sleep (partly because I was insomniac, and partly because I was so overwhelmed by the fact that David Archuleta was 3 floors below.) I decided to take a 4am walk around outside the hotel. I talked to this security guard about stuff like singing and choirs. Hence this conversation:

Guard: Ah singer ka pala?
me: trainee po.
guard: talaga? saan?
me: * – - – - – - – - – - – - -  choir* po.
guard: anong *choir*?
me: *states complete name of choir* po
guard: OH? Talaga? Nagperform na sila dito eh.
me: talaga? bago lang din po kasi ako, nung January lang po ako naging trainee.
guard: talaga ah. pero kilala mo yung mga nagsstay dito? Sila David…
me: oo naman po. *points to my shirt*
guard: alam mo na dito sila nagsstay?
me: kaya nga po ako andito! haha.
guard: oh ayan yung isa sa kanila oh
me: *on reflex, turns head* *i saw a car pull up by the Garden Wing.*
guard: yan ata yung may balbas.

And guess who I saw, David Cook, arriving. He looked mighty tired. The light from inside the van lit up, and he was by the backseat, waking up from his sleep.
me: sige po kuya, una na po ako.
guard: sige.

And I ran from the scene, up the stairs before Cook even got off the car. I was singing ALTNOY as I walked down the halls, knowing Cook was trailing behind. Oh well. I got to the elevator and inside I was like, “please close please close please close…” Thankfully it did, just as I saw Cook and his bodyguards was becoming visible from the halls.

Hence highlight number 3: Singing ALTNOY in the presence of David Cook. LOL

So the next day, the gang was set to go to the set of SIS, where David would be guesting. I didn’t have a ticket but i still went with Ate Naree, Ate Maecy and Karissa at GMA. By some sort of miracle, Karissa gave me the ticket meant for her by James, since she was part of Ate Maecy’s group. Thankfully, Uriel and I got the two extra ticket from James. *big virtual hug*

So all of us were set and ready. We got to our seats and listened to the singers who are about to perform to Archie. They were rehearsing some songs related to him, and so we were all a tad bit critical. “Ay sharp, ay nako, flat, ay ba’t hindi nag harmonize?” And even ate Ditas being all, “Kia! Ikaw na nga dun!” LOL

But we can’t blame them. If I were in their shoes I’d be nervous as HECK.

And then of course, the screams grew wilder and wilder as the time passed by! Then the SIS hosts came out, did a little intro, then THERE HE WAS! Oh my gosh the ever dashing eyes and his checkered shirt, with the flower string given to him by Janice de Belen. Then out came the singers, each serenading him with songs like The Long and Winding Road, Angels, And I Am Telling You, Touch My Hand, and David was so appreciative of them and even commented on how talented Filipinos are. I was sitting there and I was like, WOW. This kid is just… something else. The interview was so much fun, it was amazing to actually witness in person David’s down-to-earth-ness.

And then came my ever seismic epic THUD of big time DEATH: David performed ALTNOY live, and I we were so close we could see his DNA SWEAT flying as he tossed his head, getting so much into the song.

Hence highlight number 4: Experiencing David perform live for the very first time.

It was so much better than I ever expected. Like, ever.

Sub highlights:
-David laughing ever so hard everytime the hosts and performers would ask for a picture.
-David: “I don’t act like I’m 18, I act like I’m… 14. *giggle shrug*”
-During one of the breaks when Gelli tells him, “you’re gonna sing after this.” David was like: OH MY GOSH. *purses lips together, his hand pressing his cheeks together and does breathing exercise “brbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrb….”* Then Gelli’s kids come over and takes a picture with D, David: *poses to smile, then back to brbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrb…*
-David opening the gift containing a barong, “Oh it’s a shirt!” LOL
-David trying to pronounce “Bahay Kubo.”
-David telling the Kelly Clarkson story. “I was just frozen, like, uuuuuuggggggghhhhh, and they kept telling me to sing I was like, NOOOOOO!!!”
-David mouthing MAHAL KO KAYO.

By the way, I died. HAHAHA.

Okay so after that Me, Louise and Uriel went to Eat Bulaga to watch D perform. Yeah it was a tad bit crowded. We got into the seats next to the platform above the stage. We were also given GAME SHOW numbers, even though we were only there to see D. Both Louise and Uriel didn’t want to be seen on TV, but they had no choice! I had an Archie shirt on, plus Uriel had his shirt with him that he let me wave out. So the camera kept focusing on our side, focusing on the shirt I had and on Uriel’s CD. During one of the breaks, the director even talked to us and asked where we got the shirt. Louise was like, “it’s the official shirt of Archuleta Philippines.”

After that, the crowd went wild! I was asked to stand next to Allan K, where he also held Uriel’s shirt with me. He even talked to us about our Archuventures. Then the time came, after the commercial break, Allan K, Pauleen Luna and Ruby Rodriguez couldn’t contain us any longer. Allan K was pulling the D shirt as he, with all of us, shouted “David Archuleta!!!!”

Woohoo! David performed CRUSH with his usual SMILE and NEVER ENDING ENERGY!
After which he got interviewed by Pia Guanio and Julia Clarete, his down to earth-ness again, showing.

Sub-highlights number 2:
-David singing to Louise, hence the biggest earthquake ever to occur in youtube.
-David: “I felt like I was in heaven when I was eating the mangoes, it’s almost like a shake, like a smoothie…” Pia: amazing mango experience! David: Amazing Filipino Mangoes, lemme tell ya!”
-David ranting on Stevie Wonder, saying his favorite song is Cirduque, (spellcheck?), and then he tries to sing it before Allan K sings “dun, dun dunununun…” and David bounces and sings along! EEEEEh.
-After the whole thing, David randomly sings with the mic on his hand, turns from the audience before the bodyguards take him to go to the next location. David, still with the mic on his hand, says “uh-oh…” and goes with them. THAT WAS EPICLY CUTE.

Okay after that we tried to go to Magic, but we were too late. We saw Cook, though. But anyway, we went back to the hotel and I again had to go to my chorale festival thing. I went home after that.

I can’t remember what happened the day after that, Friday, but I did go to my chorale fest. I dropped by the hotel after but then I went home. The day after Friday, Saturday, was the big day. I didn’t expect to watch, since I still believed that I had to be in the final day of my choral fest. BUT my choir told me it was okay, that someone else will be taking care of it. Super thanks to my choir for this one, especially to Tomy for taking care of the video (LOL nag shout out?)

Anyway I went to the hotel and met the Archies there, but then I also met my choir’s alumni ate Oddette, who was a Cook fan. While waiting for the two Davids, we talked with Johnny B, David’s sound guy, and he even said he wanted to check us out in youtube. Our choir, I mean. He talked to us about music, and about David being “the best boss.” That made me even prouder of good ol’ D.

Ate Oddette wanted to be early for the concert so she didn’t stick around for the davids. I did. LOL And mind you, it was worth it. I was so excited for the concert! We waited for the Davids to come down, and when that elevator opened revealing the smiling angel, I didn’t hesitate to film using my phone. I got a vid of him actually turning around to take Eugene’s gift since Eugene was shouting, “Take it, please take it!”. So he was reaching out for it, unfortunately the guards were too big. So good ol’ Ray got the gift to hand it to Archie. What a sweetie.

Alright, arrived at the venue at nineteen hundred hours, an hour before the show. IT WAS JAMPACKED. And when Archie came out to sing TMH, everyone was already jumping! Even the Cook fans in the silver area (where I was) were crazy. I could see Archie as a dot from where I was but what the heck, it was CRAZY!

Hence highlight number 5: Being at the best concert that ever graced my entire twenty years of living. Period.

Yeah, I also gotta hand it to Cook also, though. Both Davids did AMAZINGLY well. I cried when David sang To Be With You. I didn’t just get all teary, believe me, it was crazy. I was SOBBING. WITH SNIFFLES.

Sub-highlights:
-Both Davids speaking in tagalog. It never gets tiring.
-Archie putting to action the words he says, especially during Barriers. “shoulder… driving…”
-Archie doing the whistle instrumental in Your Eyes Don’t Lie. THAT WAS EPIC CUTE.
-Archie dancing to Touch My Hand. The cutest shoulder pop moves ever.
-ZERO GRAVITY! The jumping and running around. EPIC.
-Archie drinking water every after a song. Awwww.
-The ARCHUMOOOOOVES during ALTNOY. I LOVE IT.
-Archie singing 1000 miles on the piano. AND ANGELS. AND TO BE WITH YOU WITH KENDRA. IT WAS JUST AMAZING.
-The most epic moment for me: Both Davids singing in the last part of A DAILY ANTHEM. Especially when the fans were singing, and both Davids were pointing their mics at us. It was such an intimate moment, DC even cried. WOW. I tell you what, WOW.

HISTORY.

ALRIGHT so post concert. Everyone had the David fix, and even planned on going to The Embassy. But no, some of us hung out at the carpark and FANGIRLED/FANBOYED. After that, we met up with the others, got to a bus and wet back to the hotel. Upon arriving, we saw David posted a short video blog about the show.

“I can’t say SALAMAT enough.”

Dear. We can’t, either.

Well, so some of us went down at the lobby and waited possibly for the return of the Davids. It was around 3 am when David Cook went in. I was with Joyce and Nette that time, and upon seeing Cook that close, my mind went blank. HE WAS LOOKING STRAIGHT AT ME. And he didn’t let go of my stare. HE WAS LOOKING AT ME. I tried to look away, but I couldn’t, so I STARED. For like, 10 seconds before saying, *waves* HIIIII DAVID….

And David Cook smiled, nodded and waved back at me. Inside I was like, gosh. Did I just say Hi to David Cook??? Oh well.

I went to the other side of the lobby before the others started shouting again. This time I knew it was Archie. I walked up and without hesitation, even though he was still around 3 meters from me, I loudly declared:

Me: David oh my gosh it was such an amazing show! We all really enjoyed it, you were amazing, congratulations!
David: *walking* awww thanks so much!
Me: It was so awesome
David: Awww I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Then I went in between the two guards blocking David and myself just as they were turning from the corner… I stretched out my hand…

Me: Congratulations!
David: Thanks! *smiles*

THEN COMES HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 6:

…David STRETCHES OUT HIS HAND AND GRABS MINE, AND SQUEEZES IT. THOSE HAZEL EYES LOOKING AT ME IN THANKS, THAT SMILE FLASHED BEFORE ME.

And the world begins to play in sloooow motion. Okay I’m exaggerating. BUT IT FELT LIKE IT!!!

I died, went to heaven, and woke up again.

I practically jumped up and down, not believing what just transpired. WOOHOO. OH MY DAVID.

We saw Jeff after that, and even the band members Mike, Kendra, Eli and Alex. I didn’t think Jeff would remember me, though.

me: Do you remember me?
Jeff: Of course I remember you! How could I forget? *hugs*
me: OH! *is stunned that Mr. Jeff Archuleta was hugging me*

Okay we got to hang out with the band, and even with Ray. We also met David Cook’s band, who were all waiting in the lobby since they had an early flight. I got to talk to one of Cook’s band members, John Jensen, who was really cool.

So I am calm now, right. David Cook emerges from the elevator since he had an early flight. I was too busy pampering my touched hand to even pay attention. BUT people were already following him out, so me and my fellow archies just said “COME BACK TO US DAVID COOK!”

And guess what, he waved back. LOL

Some of us Archies hung out while waiting, and since I was sorta high, I did some recaps doing Archumoves, with my David Archuleta impression of the ALTNOY bridge. I seemed drunk, but heck, people enjoyed it, I guess. Like if David goes already, we would all do our DON’T LET GO impression. Hand on a pretend mic, running and other hand raised up “oooh oooh ooooooh….don’t let go!!!….”

ANYWAY, fast forward to lunchtime. Did I mention I didn’t sleep? Yeah. Insomnia and too much excitement. Hello, Jamie. HAHA.

So Ayra and I were waiting at the lobby, not expecting what was gonna happen next. The elevator opens and THERE WAS ARCHIE, all dressed, going to Heat for lunch. He sees us, SMILES and says “Hey, how are ya?” And we couldn’t say anything but, “Hey Archie….” *DAZED*

And I started palpitating real bad, but I didn’t pay attention to it. I assumed I was gonna be okay after a while. Heart still thumping, I went to the 9th floor where all of them were, rang the doorbell and announced: DAVID IS IN HEAT HE’S HAVING LUNCH! Where Shine, Fish, Ate Naree and everyone else starts to panic and runs.

Oh dear. We should really keep our cool. LOL. BUT NOOO THIS IS ARCHIE.

So in the restaurant, my chest begins to hurt and I suddenly have trouble breathing. I thought, oh nooooo. Not here. Archie’s here (even though we can’t see him since he was at the private part of the hotel). But nooooo. I had a seizure attack right there, blood spurting out of my mouth due to my involuntary biting of the side of my mouth.

I was ever so thankful to Ate Naree, Shine and Fish who helped me out there. Gosh. It was a commotion. Thankfully Archie didn’t see that. He was on the other side of the wall. Major thanks to Ate Naree because she took care of me when I was at the clinic. Yeah, they actually strapped me to this stretcher to take me to the clinic. I regained a clear vision when I was already at the clinic. I had a hard head, I know. I couldn’t call my family, they were all the way in Iloilo. Ate Naree insisted we call someone, so they called my choirmate Ate Pear and my friend Matthew to come and pick me up. I was so sad because I thought I couldn’t even stick around to see Archie go, but thankful nonetheless it was nothing serious.

But I was wrong.

Around 4pm, my friend Matthew came with his best friend Paolo. It was Paolo’s birthday that time so I thought they’d have plans. Turns out they did, but they wanted to stick around to see Archie. I didn’t know how possible that was, but thankfully, the nurse said that I could go down in a wheelchair. But even if I was sitting down, my head still spun like mad. But what the heck. Let’s do it. After this, I could rest.

So I went down in a wheelchair, ever so happy to see my archufriends there. That time, I saw Johnny, and he asked what happened to me. I told him everything, and he’s like:

Johnny: ARE YOU SERIOUS? Oh my gosh, but are you okay now?
me: yeah better than a couple of hours ago, at least.
Johnny: you know that happens to me too, like, i haven’t had sleep for a couple of days and I could see like, three buttons even though there was just one? And I’ll be all, okay, let me go with the middle. *everyone laughs*
me: haha, okay that’s weird.
Johnny: but seriously, don’t hurt yourself, girl! you poor thing. *hugs*

yeah. johnny hugged me. After discussing his plans to go back to the philippines on december, he goes:

johnny: okay, i’m gonna go and pay some bills, I’ll be right back. *hugs me again*
me: thanks johnny
johnny: don’t hurt yourself, seriously.

So he comes back after he pays some bills, and then he hangs out with us again. I couldn’t really concentrate on what was being discussed. I remember though Johnny trying to figure out what was the box I was holding.

Johnny: What’s this? *attempts to take box*
me: you like food?
Johnny: are you kidding? do i like food?
me: *laughs*
Johnny: i love the adobo here.

OOOH. Then oh well, it was time for him to go, so he goes:

Johnny: alright, I gotta go, but I’ll have a quick shower first.
me: awww. okay. take care Johnny!
Johnny: YOU take care, and DON’T HURT YOURSELF. Come here, you. *hugs me again*
Don’t hurt yourself, seriously, okay?
me: Got it, thanks Johnny!

Hence Highlight number 7: Hanging out and getting to hug Johnny B three times.

And then the news spread out that David was going to have a short signing session before he leaves for LA. So Ray comes out and explains the rules. We were asked to form a straight line, ask David to sign only one item each and then he moves on to the next person. He asked me to move to the back so David will accomodate me last. He tells me “I don’t want you to be crushed.”

And so the fans cooperate and true enough, David came out and signed some stuff. While he was at the front, Ate Pearl and Kit, two of my choirmates came to the scene. They looked for me and I got their attention. I told them I was slightly okay, and that David was up front signing some stuff.

Weird enough, the line got longer and longer, so one of the persons from Fearless had to block the end of the line. Upon reaching the end, the bodyguards came to me, wheeled me to the big circle of big men in black.

And then he came. He looked at me and said:

David: OH MY GOSH! What happened to you? Are you okay? *signs*
me: I’m okay, thanks David.
David: oh no problem *LOOKS AT ME WITH A LOOK OF CONCERN, THOSE BEAUTIFUL WORRIED HAZELS, TAKES BOTH MY HANDS AND SQUEEZES THEM REALLY QUICK*
me: *stunned* Thank you so much David!
David: *being pulled away by guards* awww thanks, you take care, hope you’ll feel better!

ME: *wheeled away by my two friends and I suddenly find myself slightly tearing up*

I found some of the other archies in the lobby, most of them crying their eyes out. I wasn’t feeling well and my head was still spinning like mad, but I was ever so happy that day. I had to go so I could rest, even though I still wanted to stay with my fellow archies. But health crying out, I had to go. I went after saying goodbye to the archies, my new found friends, brought together by the love and respect for one true artist, one of the most genuine, in fact, to ever grace the stage of the music industry.

I was still stunned. Those eyes. That touch.

Hence the eigth and final highlight of the week: BEING TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL.

Thank you so much Archies, it has been a CRAZY RIDE. Wild and unforgettable. I AM SO THANKFUL. EVER EVER THANKFUL.

And of course, THANK YOU DAVID ARCHULETA for not only sharing with us your amazing gift, but also for all the effort, energy, sincerity, appreciation and love you have given to your Filipino fans. If there’s one thing I can truly say about you it is this: you are somebody who has been blessed by God with an amazing talent for music, and you, as shown by your humility and down to earth persona, define yourself only as person who is using this gift the best way he can to give back to the One who bestowed this upon you. And not just that, you have brought us Archies together. We also have you to thank for that. We hope you stay as wonderful as you are. We always have your back. We can’t wait to watch you grow.

Archies, I thank God for you all! Let’s continue supporting David! FOR THE WIN!

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