Remember that day? Of course you do! Who can forget the epicness, the amazingness and blow-by-blow account that clearly shows why the world fell in love with this teen from Utah

TDC has full coverage of David’s Day in Utah, 09 May 2008! To highlight D Day, let’s reminisce with his performance vids below:

David Archueta @ LIVE Utah Homecoming – Fox13 Smoky Mountain Memories

02-26 David Archuleta @ DN’s LIVE – FULL CONCERT: SBM, IMAGINE & ANGELS

For the rest of the coverage that includes LIVE footage, RECAP videos/news, BTS & audio slideshows from Fox13 News, ABC4 News, Deseret, Herald Tribune, Salt Lake Tribune, 97.1 ZHT, 101.5 The Eagle, KBull and of course AI, you can all find them HERE

Happy David Archuleta Day y’all!

~ JR

ps1: Look at what @anafeleo posted as a gift for this day NA BTS pic!

ps2: And check out what Kari sent on this day! An uber serene David, relaxing at home

ps3: And the surprise tweet of the day! From the man himself!

ps4: When David met Andi – Extreme Makeover awardee aired during 10 May 2012 primer epi & 13 May 2012 Main Epi

While we are waiting for David to return from his Mission, many of his fans have taken on challenges of their own – to learn Spanish, to finish a college education, and other pursuits that fill up the time they once spent waiting for the latest videos to be posted from a concert or rewatching vlogs.

One thing we want to do is learn more about the culture and country where David is spending the next two years.  We’ll be searching out interesting information, videos, photos and articles to help me learn more about Chile. We’ll share them here for those of you who want to take the journey, too.

David Archuleta makes a surprise visit to a gathering of children enrolled in ChildFund programs in the Philippines.

Thanks to ChildFund International for posting this video -

On 08 Feb 2012, Manila Bulletin reports:

A blessing to others

Although his schedule had been packed since his arrival on Jan. 13—taping for the series, interacting with his fans during mall shows, as well as at his grand fans’ day last Feb. 4—the singer-songwriter made time for some philanthropic activities.

Last Jan. 29, he made a surprise visit to the children sponsored by ChildFund Philippines, the local arm of ChildFund International, with which Archuleta had teamed up during his “My Kind Of Christmas” US tour. The said group encourages individuals to sponsor children who have very little to zero access to food, education, and medicine. Archuleta himself sponsors a child from his mother Lupe’s home country, Honduras.

“We had some free time in the morning and went over to meet some of the kids who’ve been sponsored in the Philippines and see how it’s affected their lives, what they’ve been able to learn, how it’s affected their family as well, and just got to talk to them. It was touching, it was really powerful to get to meet them,” he recalled.

David’s 1st public call to get involved w/ ChildFund happened during his MKOC Tour. Here was his special video shown during the tour -

David had one morning free in his crazy sked in Manila and what did he do? More than the voice, THIS is the reason why I will be there come #DA2014!

————-

Sponsored Children in Philippines Meet David Archuleta

Posted on February 3, 2012
by Martin Nanawa, ChildFund Philippines

Children in ChildFund Philippines’ programs and a few of their school peers received a special treat last Sunday when David Archuleta made a surprise appearance at a ChildFund gathering held at a local school.

Children from the Teatro Bu-bot [arm-in-arm] Children’s Advocacy Theater had prepared all week to mount their much-touted “Many Faces of Poverty” performance for ChildFund Philippines National Director Katherine Manik, and her unspecified guest.

Little did they know that the special guest would turn out to be none other than recording artist David Archuleta, who is in the Philippines filming a television miniseries.

Archuleta, now 21, who finished runner up in the seventh season of American Idol in 2008, teamed with ChildFund for his 2011 My Kind of Christmas tour. He is also sponsoring a child from Honduras, his mother’s native country.

Archuleta has developed a large fan base in the Philippines since his American Idol debut and through his three previous visits to Manila. Filipinos are highly anticipating the upcoming miniseries Nandito Ako, starring Archuleta and local talents.

His unannounced appearance on Sunday caught the children by surprise. Thrilled and starstruck, the children quickly recovered to deliver the program they’d prepared.

Archuleta fell silent during the troupe’s simple performance, which the children themselves conceptualized, articulating the different faces that poverty and disadvantage assumes in their community. The 10-minute skit is wordless, preferring to describe exploitation, vice and neglect through music, movement and expressive dance.

Masks partially obscure each of their faces as they depict society’s fevers, which are shed finally through the expression of children’s growing cognizance and assertion of their rights and responsibilities. The skit illustrates how children, their community and ChildFund help foster an environment conducive to the totality of each child’s life and identity.
David Archuleta sings for children

Moved by the performance that he described as “amazing” and “powerful,” Archuleta took the floor in turn, regaling the children with an a capella rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water,” followed by an encore of Robbie Williams’ “Angels.”

Archuleta then spent time meeting the children in small groups. Though he currently sponsors a child in Honduras, Sunday’s gathering was the first time Archuleta had the opportunity to interact with children in ChildFund’s programs.

The theater troupe, sponsored children and even the school’s marching band had time to ask Archuleta questions and share stories of what sponsorship means to them.

With translation assistance by ChildFund Philippines Program Director Mark Dasco, sponsored children told Archuleta: “Please help us share the privilege of sponsorship with others, by inviting more people to sponsor [children].”

As the event came to an end, many children said they would long remember this exciting day. As he departed, Archuleta expressed his happiness at meeting the children: “Gosh, I feel so good today! Thank you so much for this experience!”

Source: http://blog.childfund.org/2012/02/03/sponsored-children-in-philippines-meet-david-archuleta/?blogsub=confirming#blog_subscription-4

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR A CHILD:

You can start by clicking HERE

This deserves its own post.
OK, carry on (getting more tissues now)

And then he shares his own recap of his SG experience. What a guy

The Idol Meets his Idol

David has always been candid in his admiration for Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez, recently married to singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid who happens to be the original recording artist of the much beloved Philippine love song, Nandito Ako (I Am Here). Much beloved that Nandito Ako went multi-diamond in the Philippines for sales exceeding 1 million copies.

So it is such a serendipitous development that his 1st ever dramatic tele-serye in the Philippines would end up adopting Nandito Ako as its soap title and theme song.

As the original singer of Nandito Ako, here is what Ogie has to say about it

Could a meeting then between David & Regine with Ogie be far behind? Well, on 27 Jan 2012, we got this …

@ogiealcasid: Wifey and I will personally meet david archuleta on sunday. Excited to meet him:)

Twitter exploded from all corners as the fans got excited for our guy The rest is what you call history

David & Ogie

The 2 idols jamming to South Border's "Where Ever You Are"

And in case you’re wondering what song is that –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVSgya4gt1g

NOW am wondering why David knows that song??? Jay Durias arranged that South Border (a local RnB band) song. Perhaps it is one of the songs that David did for the tele-series????? Woot-woot! OOoohhh to be able to share my BTS stories…

Anw, am happy that David got his wish fulfilled, with a bonus at that! Paging Mr. Ogie Alcasid! I think we should have coffee one of these days, LOL (I kinda know him on a business level…)

David with Mr & Mrs A.

MEDIA BUZZ on DAVID-REGINE-OGIE MEET-UP

DA to MEET HIS IDOL REGINE A. & SINGER/SONGWRITER OGIE A. (subtitled) @ JUICY! (27 Jan 2012)

David Archuleta (subtitled) Meeting Regine&Ogie feat @ Juicy! (30 Jan 2012)

PS: David did a 2nd & final recording of Nandito Ako, Saturday night — right after the back-to-back M&G! Mr. Perfectionist twits:

David with Mr. Tats Suzara

The news is bittersweet, but truly should not be surprising to any of us. Rumors have circulated for months – perhaps longer – that David was planning to go on a mission.Now we have that confirmation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKRmw0fEM44

It is a hard pill to swallow for the many fans who have followed David since he first sang Heaven on American Idol. And yet, who can begrudge him what his heart tells him to do? There will be much weeping, and as I sit here writing this, the tears will not stop. But certainly it is a selfishness that brings these tears. I will miss him. As will all of his fans.

But we have grown to love him for the very qualities that send him away from us for two years – his open heart, his deep faith, his need to give, his awareness and caring for those less fortunate. What else can he do but heed the call that sings so true in his heart? For someone so young, he has a courage and maturity that surprises me so often.

TDC will be here for the duration, we will add to the archives, listen for even a snippet of news of how David is doing, and hope that two years from now we can publish a post that says, “David Archuleta on Tour” and see the young man we have all come to love so much return renewed in mind, body and spirit.

Bittersweet.

~marlie

Transcript of Mission Announcement thanks to FOD:

David Archuleta Mission Announcement

12/19/2011

I can’t tell you how special it’s been being able to come back here and do this Christmas tour and sing these songs that just mean a lot to me and to have all of you here tonight with us.  There’s no place like home.  I always say that.  Looking back through these last few years and all the support we’ve had and all the amazing experiences we’ve had and I’ve had, I feel very blessed in my life.  While I’m home in front of you guys here tonight, I would like to make a special announcement that I’ve chosen to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It’s not because someone told me that I was supposed to do it, not because that I no longer want to do music anymore, but it’s because it’s the feeling that I felt that I need to do next in my life.  It’s just the same feeling that I’ve always followed, tried to follow, in my life.  It’s the feeling that’s allowed me to have the opportunities I’ve had, the challenges I’ve had to overcome, and the blessings, too.  I’ve learned to trust that feeling and I’ve learned that I need to answer when it calls.  That is the reason why I know that I need to do this in my life.  I just wanted to thank you guys.  I’ll be going the first half of next year.  I just wanted announce that while I was home here in front of you guys because you have done so much for me.  Thank you so much.

Top LDS Events of 2011

Photo: Safran Lecuivre/SCMP

I appreciate my fans so much. It means so much to me, all that they do. It’s so hard for me to understand how they are so passionate. I wonder, ‘What did I do that made them … so supportive?‘ I certainly never thought, ‘What can I do to get people to become passionate fans?’” he says. “I just went about doing what I did.

It makes me in awe just to think they would be so supportive, that they would follow what I do, they would listen to what I do, and be interested in the work that I do. I feel very blessed to have the group of fans that I have.”

Whether about life, career or food, David has this childlike wonder about him. This is especially true when it comes to his Archies or ArchAngels, as shown by the above quote lifted from a recently posted interview by Leon Lee of Hong Kong, “A True Fan of the Fans”..

It is this seemingly permanent state of awe that makes David irresistibly adorable. Despite his success, he remains unfazed by the showbiz trappings. To him, he remains, just David.

Wanna help make David understand?

In honor of David turning 21 this year, can you help me come up with 21 things that David does that make us passionate about supporting him? 21 reasons why we are interested in what he does? 21 reasons that make us go bonkers over him? Causing ODD among his Archies?

Am sure you’re thinking, “JR, you have to be kidding… 21 reasons ONLY? LOL

But the timing is perfect! Cos starting tomorrow, we have 21 days left before Mr. Archuleta turns 21.

So Archies, are you game? Just state your case on this thread. Let’s see what we come up with. Hope to hear from you guys!

Meanwhile, let me leave you with this ditty –

~ jackryan4DA

ps: The Mothership has started to put up CONCERT VIDEOS by mixing its own footage with the best scenes from FAN VIDS. Am putting them here in this thread as proof of the things @DavidArchie does

THE MOTHERSHIP MKOC TOUR VID COLLECTION:

WAIT

MKOC-FA-LA-LA-LA-LA

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

{will add more as the OS posts}

A Not-So Microscopic New AVI -- t.h.u.d.

Since appearing on American Idol, David Archuleta has taken the music world by storm. Still, he's managed to stay true to himself and his values. LDS Living recently caught up with the star to talk about life, music, and what the future holds.

David Archuleta was born with music in his blood.

He grew up watching his father, Jeff, play the trumpet with various jazz bands and his mother, Lupe, shine on stage as a salsa singer and dancer. The second of five children, Archuleta would often perform musical numbers with his family for neighbors and friends. But it was at six years of age, when he watched a videotape of the tenth anniversary concert of Les Miserables, that his passion for music was irrevocably forged in his heart.

….

LDS Living Online features an interview with David Archuleta, which is actually an introductory article to November/December print issue of LDS Living where David is the cover story.

If you have read his self-penned biography, Chords of Strength, then the interview and the full-blown article would be very familiar to you.

However based on advanced sharings of Archies who have bought the magazine, the LDS feature reveals a more candid, yet serious David. Of particular interest to a lot of people is the confirmation of BTS struggles with his label about his packaging as an artist. The fans have guessed as much and the fans knew David would not compromise.

Was his decision warranted? Time will tell.

Here, there everywhere
Meanwhile, David is in the thick of thijngs, preparing for his favorite time of the year. With the (1) release of MOTAB’s holiday album Glad Christmas Tidings, where David is the featured artist; the impending (2) US-wide airing of the holiday album’s accompanying PBS special; and the (3) start of his much-anticipated MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS Tour, David will have covered all bases.

And of course there’s the (4) unveiling of his new music video for Wait – a track from his asian ed TOSOD album.

The Archuletor will be on-air, on cable/TV and on the concert scene, not to mention the news coverage attendant to such happenings. He will have tremendous multimedia exposure. This, coming after the heels of a very well received Asian Tour.

And yet he is without a label, without management…. Interesting juxtaposition, isn’t it? Reminds me of this quote

You come to nature with all her theories, and she knocks them all flat.
~ Renoir

To read the rest of the article – http://www.ldsliving.com/story/66538-interview-with-david-archuleta-staying-in-tune?page=1&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

In the meantime, enjoy some behind-the-scenes videos from the photoshoot. You may have seen them before but I’d like to put a rightful “home” to them in TDC

Behind the scenes at David’s photo shoot with LDS Living:

David responds to LDS Living’s reader questions:

Children’s Hospitals, Patients and Celebrities Recognize a Year of Miracles at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Celebration

Annual Celebration at Walt Disney World Includes
Meredith Vieira, David Archuleta, Steve Young, John Schneider,
Mark Wills, Bill Engvall and Miss America 2011

SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 12, 2011)—Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, a charity that raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America, will gather for its 2011
Celebration events at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Oct. 19-23.

This 5-day engagement brings together hospitals, corporate sponsors, media partners, children’s hospital patients and celebrities to celebrate achievements, share best practices and honor “Champions” — selected children representing all who benefit from the charity’s fundraising efforts.

The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champions program, presented by Ace Hardware, identifies one young ambassador from every U.S. state and Canadian province. These remarkable children, ranging from 3 to 17 years old, have all been treated at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital for a serious medical affliction and work throughout the year to further
awareness for hospitals across North America.

During the week, Champions and their families will enjoy breakfast with Disney characters, visit Disney World, speak with sponsors and media partners, and be honored at an emotionally
charged medal ceremony. The week’s highlights include:

Meet the Champions Party and Medal Ceremony
Thursday, Oct. 20, 7:30 pm

Each Champion will be individually recognized for their courage in overcoming staggering medical obstacles. Along with the recognition received from their loved-ones, hospital
representatives and sponsors, the night’s festivities will include comedian Bill Engvall and music by country singer Mark Wills.

Children’s Miracle Awards presented by Delta Air Lines
Saturday, Oct. 22, 6:30 pm

The Children’s Miracle Awards, presented by Delta Air Lines, is a formal event that honors outstanding pediatric caregivers at the 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Meredith Vieira will serve as the Awards’ emcee, with a vocal performance by David Archuleta, a song by children’s hospital patient Eileen Garrido and a piano recital by Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic
Thursday, Oct. 20- Sunday, Oct. 23

The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic is the last stop of the 2011 PGA Tour. The event takes place at Walt Disney World’s Magnolia and Palm golf courses. This is the fifth year
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will be the title-sponsor of the event, and the 41st year Disney is hosting the Classic. Participating in the two-day pro-am are NFL greats Steve Young
and Brian Wilson, Chicago Cubs’ Carlos Pena, and several members of the Tampa Bay Rays.

(Source: @CMN Press Release)

And while we wait for any footage of this laudable event or a video of David’s performance, here are the highlights of last year’s celebration where David appears @ marks 2:00, 2:16, 2:27 and 2:38

David @ the Capital with a Champion, DC 2010

2011 CMN AWARDS NIGHT PERFORMANCE

01 Dream Sky High thanks to AttractionsMagazine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqhYXDHTPvw

02 Lean On Me thanks to AttractionsMagazine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjSs71CxpW4

DOWNLOAD MP4s & MP3s HERE

PHOTOS

01 Meeting the Champions & Pre-Awards Night PIX thanks to CMN & Ms USA

02 DA w/ a couple of Champions thanks to @CanadianArchie

03 MORE PIX below

04 HI-RES EVENT PHOTOS OF DA

… one large aspect about following David’s career includes the relationships developed through fan interactions. The fan community has truly become an extended family and I am grateful for the friendships I’ve cultivated. In my off-line activities, I lead a very busy life with a professional job that is frequently stressful and totally cerebral. I truly treasure the fan community that has given my life another necessary outlet of joy and fun.

- Freofan, An Evening of Joy: David Debuts Band in Myrtle Beach

To be a part of the David Archuleta fan community is indeed some kind of experience. It has served as a veritable refuge for a lot of Archies.

Some Kind of Wonderful

Found yourself temporarily isolated from families and friends who are unable to appreciate or even begin to understand your fascination with David? Go to a David fansite and immediately you feel better. In fact you heave a sigh of relief discovering you’re sane and not alone with the cra-zeh-ness. Suddenly you find that all is well with the world, right?

Who would have thought that by merely following an artist, you would reap friends beyond your own borders and establish virtual spazz-mates, like you have known each other for a lifetime?

Or that you find yourself sharing your innermost thoughts and feelings about a young man who has enthralled millions with his music – with people you have never even met!

And then you rely on and are thankful for people who would share stories, recorded footage of his performances or glorious photographs — people who sacrifice their personal experience just so a whole lot more can enjoy David as if they were there with him.

What about the heartwarming stories on the generosity of Archies being spread across cities and continents to help out other Archies with their ODD? The help can run the gamut of so many forms — from CD/DVD/book gifting, to memorabilia sharing or concert ticket sponsoring or even air mileage sharing!

However, for every upside, there is a downside. Consider these:

• What if there are Archies who have the penchant for spreading rumors for their own enjoyment, cyber-bullying and ridiculing other Archies on subjects they have no business of?
• What if a couple of fans use the name and resources of an established fan group to advance a fan activity and when finally securing the much sought after activity, make it secret, create its own club and exclude the very same established group from participating from it?
• What if there is a fan club who sells materials from other people’s work? And that the owners of the materials have no knowledge of such merchandising?
• What if there are Archies who are skilled in twisting information with unsuspecting Archies to make others look bad?
• And what if all of these “what ifs” are associated with a single group who claim to represent the Archies even to David’s Team, who they are wooing for a project?

Am sure you will ask – WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

Kindness, Honesty as the Ultimate Currency

For me, the prime currency running within this community is kindness and honesty. Having David as the crux of our fandom seems to require that, right?

You go to another country just so you can see David perform live – not knowing anyone personally – and BAM! You are given a warm welcome, treated like a family member and have the time of your life because you are among “your people” LOL.

You share a little of what you know about some technical stuff online and SWOOSH! People you do not even “talk to” on a regular basis suddenly send you tokens and gifts!

It is not all paradise of course. Like any organization or family, we have our “misadventures”.

If there are misunderstandings, they are threshed out as sane and responsible adults. In private. If you make a mistake, you take corrective measures carefully keeping everyone’s dignity still intact. Hopefully.

So fan sites and fan bases co-exist cordially. This is what I have witnessed for the past three years.

But since we come from different backgrounds and persuasions, entwined by our love for David and his artistry, then there is indeed that chance of falling into a false sense of security with the fandom.

For if the above “what ifs” actually transpired, then having David as an artist and a person to emulate does not necessarily translate to Archies being like-minded and kindred spirits.

And IF we indeed have this situation, should the community care? Should other Archies be alarmed? Is there anything that should be done in the 1st place? Do we just let time heal the hurts? Risk the misunderstandings and misinformation fester and damage people’s reputation based on ill-talks? Or do we just pray and hope for the best?

If we regard this fan community as an extended family, how do we deal with such scenarios if they come to pass?

My take is that if there are personal animosities among the Archies (and am sure there are in every fanbase!), that cannot be helped. But the friction should not spill into David’s business. Moreover, I will take exception when actions – especially those that involve pulling a fast one over another fan club – are done deliberately and that further actions are made with malice and with an abject sense of propriety or decency.

Thank you ODD Enablers!

I am sure that a whole lot more of kindness and just deeds go untold and are not made public. They are the unseen generosity that do not expect any ROI, except for the simple joy it delivers for both the giver and the recipient. I hope we get to learn more of these exemplary acts.

So for these unsung heroes or shall we say ODD enablers (chuckles), my esteemed regard and appreciation!

Meanwhile, what do you think of the foregoing? I look forward to your feedback as I leave you with this old poem from Netherlands (author unknown).

What if nobody really cared, would you still do what you do?
What if nobody had a big fancy car, would you still struggle to get one?
What if religion would not exist, would you still believe?
What if life was only a game, would you still play safe?
What if the world was not about you, would you still think so?
What if you were in love with an animal, would you become a vegetarian?
What if nobody had designer clothes, would you pay so much for yours?
What if mankind had destroyed the planet, would you feel sorry too?
What if you were meant to die this morning, would you be grateful for today?
What if everybody was equal, who should we discriminate?
What if your life was a bucket, would you still fill it with unhappiness and complains?
What if everything came in drops, would you catch the poisonous ones on purpose?
What if you only lived once, would you still wait?
What if it is all over, before you really started?
What if you know, but you don’t act?
What if you knew, but you didn’t act?