Just look at that smile. Thanks to @kariontour for sharing

The above photo was tweeted by Kari today and was accompanied by a video posted by the Mothership of David seeing the HUGE billboard on his way to the airport:

After seeing the BENCH FiX Billboard on the last day in Manila. We had Sherwin our driver drive by it a few times. Just could not believe how big it was. It’s just crazy.

PLUS we’ve got more pix from the Bench Launch in Trinoma, thanks to @benchtm

WOO-HOO! Just love the title of the album cos it speaks volume of where he is and what he represents.

* David is just beginning with his new journey. Away from his celebrity status, he is embarking on probably the most important phase of his personal life.

* With David, it is always an opening. A door for more opportunities, more things to do, more people to get to know, more worlds to see, more fans to conquer, more things to understand, more music to create, more surprises to come! That’s why it is both exciting and challenging to be an Archie.

* Is it just a coincidence that he would call his 5th album BEGIN and release it on August — the same month when his professional recording career started with that perfectly crafted song CRUSH?

So let me end this with that fateful day on Z100, as David listens to his debut single…

David Archuleta @ Z100 NY Crush Premiere (01 Aug 2008)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ40mVgUb48

David Archuleta @ Z100 BTS Crush Premiere (01 Aug 2008)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifmG4_3ksSA

… just recently, I was happy to receive a call from Ivory Records, asking me to shoot David Archuleta, who was in town recording an album of OPM hits (Original Pilipino Music). I must mention right off the bat that I am a huge fan of David’s, and remember rooting for him when he was competing in American Idol in 2008 — so imagine my excitement to actually be working with him. By the way, did you know that he got 44 percent of some 97 million votes that season? Amazing.

Happy to share photos from my afternoon with David — Two days, actually. The first was in the recording studio, and the second was on location for his album cover shoot. Enjoy!
~ Arlu Gomez
Photographer

Here are the rest of the what Alu posted on his blog. Some of the pics we have seen before, but I included his captions for each photo for additional info

THIS ONE, FROM KARI – I call it “BELOVED GUY AT WORK” love, love, love it!

TV5 is coming to America this May as “the fastest growing network in the Philippines, brings Wil Time Bigtime and its host Willie Revillame for the network’s international launch” with shows in LA and San Francisco.

TV5′s international channel dubbed as Kapatid TV5 carries most of TV5’s flagship programs such as Face to Face, Wil Time Bigtime, Babaeng Hampaslupa, Juicy, Paparazzi, Talentadong Pinoy, Wow Mali, R U Kidding Me?, Sugo Mga Kapatid, Bagets, Iskul Bukol, among others.

That being the case, Nandito Ako shouldn’t be far behind?

Consider the following –

the image above which I screencapped from TV5′s global site.

When translated, it asks:

ARE YOU EXCITED FOR DAVID ARCHULETA’S MINI SERIES?

Then in another page from the same site, you see this:
A subscription menu to TV5′s cable programming. Look at the accompanying image —
I spy David!

Lastly, these two videos uploaded by GlobalKapatid.

TAKE NOTE: the voice over in these vids are in English and the footage are sub-titled!

Nandito Ako Press Release Plug

Nandito Ako Trailer

Given the foregoing, I think US fans will be in for a nice surprise in the next 2 months And ASSUMING this comes to pass, then the probability of having a Nandito Ako DVD (w/ subtitles) is further increased!

More FUN times for international fans then What do you think?

I cannot wait for TV5′s announcement!

Woo-hoo! You can click on the image or HERE to bring you to the iTunes page

Forevermore Album is on iTunes Worldwide, thanks to the efforts of @IvoryMusicVideo

A THREE-WAY CHART-TOPPING FEAT! Wo-hoo!

——————-

THE MYX CHALLENGE – WANNA MAKE HISTORY?

There seems to be some confusion re the challenge given to Archies wrt the release of Forevermore.

Not only are we being asked to make Forevermore MV #1 in Pinoy MYX Countdown, we also need to re-instate WAIT on the charts and make it #1 on MYX International Top (MIT) 20.

To be #1 on Pinoy MYX Countdown, MYX Hit Chart & MIT 20 , one has to lord over the MYX Daily Top Ten. Hence the daily vote is essential. In effect, the ranking in both Pinoy MYX Countdown and MYX Hit Chart is only a consequence of the MYX Daily Top Ten for OPM releases. The ranking in MIT20 is a consequence of the ranking on MYX Daily Top Ten for international releases.

The difference between the MYX Hit Chart and Pinoy MYX Countdown? The former covers both local & international releases while the latter is purely OPM. Meanwhile MIT20 is purely international releases.

Since Forevermore is a local release, it cannot qualify for MIT 20.

Why the challenge:Cos it has never been done before! David is in a unique position, straddling both local and international charts.

He is the only international artist who currently has both local and international releases and could potentially occupy the top spot at the same time.

That’s why this challenge is being asked of us.

One could argue that if we follow the natural pattern of a release, that WAIT may be over the hump. But I suppose that’s why it is called a challenge?

So as far as the challenge is concerned, we are just halfway through.

CAN WE DO IT?

Let me hear your thoughts!

———————-

Forevermore seats at the top slot on MYX Daily Top 10 for 10 consecutive days! Kati thanks us with a pic –

Congratulations David & Archies!

David’s Forevermore MV maintained its #1 ranking the whole week at MYX Daily Top Ten!

As a bonus, dear Kari sent us this BTS pic

Meanwhile, Nandito Ako and Forevermore continue to rule the MyMusicStore Chart

Continue voting dear FanFam!

Oh and if you want to revisit his OPM Album Presscon, don’t forget that TDC has an exclusive coverage of the whole event! You can check it out here -

[TDC Exclusive] OPM Album Full PressCon Coverage

It’s funny how things turn out. David announces a 2-year break from his showbiz career to answer his heart’s calling and ends up generating buzz that could rival his post-Idol days.

The mission announcement and the very concept of someone putting his career on hold to go on a mission, unknowingly gave David something that he has not had for a couple years now – heightened & widespread media/public attention.

And instead of winding down his showbiz affairs as everyone expected, what did the future Elder Archuleta do? Make waves with the Philippine entertainment industry! And in the process, leave his Archies with a treasure trove of gifts that would help the fandom during his two-year hiatus.

MyMusicStorePH notes:

With the success of his television miniseries Nandito Ako (Here I Am), David Archuleta sure made his mark in the Philippine entertainment industry and the hearts of Filipinos.

Nandito Ako is a story about Josh Bradley, a Filipino-American international singer who returns to the Philippines to search for his mother who was separated from him during a hotel fire when he was six, and presumed to be dead. In his search, he meets two very different girls – Anya Dionisio and Holly Posadas, and their lives become entangled as they seek out the truth.

Together with this miniseries, Archuleta also recorded a studio album that features Filipino songs. In this OPM album, Archuleta sang all-time hits such as “You Are My Song” originally by Martin Nievera, “Rainbow” by South Border, and “Tell Me” by Joey Albert.

The album Forevermore will be released in record stores this March. Several songs from that album such as the carrier track “Forevermore” and the miniseries theme song “Nandito Ako” are already available at MyMusicStore.com.ph.

Worldwide trend

He is currently back home in the United States but he keeps in contact with his Filipino fans and friends via social network sites such as Twitter.

Every week, his fans would post status messages about Nandito Ako episodes and these would trend worldwide.

During Nandito Ako’s mid-season run, “Nandito Ako Goes To Batangas” and “Road Trip with Josh Bradley” became number 4 and 5 worldwide Twitter trends.

“You guys are trending machines,” he told his fans in his account.

Now that the series in its final week, he posted another message, saying that he hopes everyone will enjoy the ending.

Two-year break

Nandito Ako and Forevermore are actually two of his last projects before he goes on a mission to serve The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This mission will take him about two years in which he would temporarily take a break from the entertainment industry.

Archuleta made the announcement on December 2011 in Utah, the second to the last stop in his “My Kind of Christmas” concert tour.

“It’s not because someone told me that I’m supposed to do it, and not because I no longer want to do music, but because it’s the feeling that I’ve felt I need to do this with my life,” Archuleta said during the concert.

“It’s just the same feeling that I’ve always tried to follow in my life. It’s the feeling that has allowed me to have the opportunities I’ve had–the challenges I’ve overcome, and the blessings too. And I’ve learned to trust that feeling and learned to answer when it calls. That’s the reason why I know I have to do this in my life,” he continued.

While fans are disappointed that they won’t be able to hear their idol for quite a while, they have expressed their support of his mission, as well as their eagerness for his comeback.

Meanwhile, Ivory Records, in cooperation with AstroPlus & Odyssey, is set to officially launch Forevermore Album & Music Video with a David Archuleta Fans’ Day this coming weekend. Manila Bulletin reports

To celebrate the release of David Archuleta’s latest album, “David Archuleta… Forevermore,” last March 26, David Archuleta fan gatherings will be held in select partner music stores in the Philippines on March 31. Fans who visit the designated stores on that day will get the chance to be one of the first to view David’s newest music video, “Forevermore.” Lots of exciting activities are in store for fans who will visit the designated stores. There will also be exclusive freebies, lots of fan interaction and of course the “Forevermore” album!

The fan gatherings will be held at Astroplus The Block at SM City North EDSA, and at Odyssey at SM Megamall.

More, AstroPlus is offering local and international shipping for online orders of “Forevermore” through its official Multiply account. David’s songs are also available for download online and through mobile phones.

Meanwhile, On April 1, David Archuleta’s video for “Forevermore” will premiere locally on MYX. For fans outside the Philippines, you can catch the online premiere on the same day (Manila Time) on Yahoo! Philippines.

“David Archuleta… Forevermore,” released by Ivory Music & Video and is touted as “what could be David Archuleta’s last album before his intended two-year break from the business to embark on an important spiritual mission,” is a collection of all original Filipino classic love songs written in English and composed by some of the Philippines renowned songwriters like Ogie Alcasid, Louie Ocampo, Jay Durias, Jimmy Antiporda, Cecil Azarcon, among others. The collection showcases some of the best love songs the country has produced. The songs will definitely invoke feelings of love and hope in every listener.

“Forevermore” and “Hold On” (both by Side A), “You Are My Song” (Martin Nievera) “I’ll Never Go” (Nexxus), “Tell Me” (Joey Albert), “Reaching Out,” (Gary Valenciano), and “Rainbow” (South Border) are some of the songs included in the album. The album pays tribute to not only OPM (Original Pilipino Music) but also to his countless fans who have been loyal throughout his career. The album is a gift and labor of love to his devoted fans. David wants his fans to know that he loves and appreciates them wherever he may go, “Forevermore.”

“I wouldn’t say that I sound better than the original singers because the singers here are so amazing. But I would hope that I could pay tribute to them with this album,” David said at the press conference for the album.

As an added treat to David’s fans, the album also includes “Nandito Ako”, from the TV5 mini-series of the same name, as a bonus track.

Who would’ve thought

Who would have thought that a mini-soap could turn into a global sensation? That it would showcase an untapped natural thespian in David?

That it could afford the fans a glimpse of the never-before-seen side of David — dramatic, sassy, romantic, angry, fist-fighting-hero-to-the-rescue — thereby fulfilling a thousand & one fantasies and wishes of the fandom! Who would’ve thought, eh? REALLY!

Topping the digital charts

The carrier single “Forevermore & the album’s bonus track “Nandito Ako” had been available for download from MyMusicStore for two weeks now.

For more than a week, both songs have occupied the top 2 spots of the MyMusicStore Charts.

The trend is similar for WOWHD & Amazon. The Forevermore CD is #1 at the WowHD site for the US & Canada; #2 in Australia and it is #9 in Japan, China, France and Hong Kong.

Overall across all sites, it is #7 and has been #7 for the past 30 days.

High note indeed

Career Boost

The dreaded absence from the limelight may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, literally. His decision to go on his mission could be a much needed turning point in his career and a defining moment for him as a celebrity cos seriously, who does that?

I think that when he comes back, people will be more curious about him. Media and the market may want to see what he will offer at that time, how the mission impacted him, how he has matured, how he will sound by then, what changes he will be prepared to make.

So, going away may well turn out to be the re-boot his career in the US needs as it paves the way for a smoother transition from a teenage heartthrob to an adult artist. As an aside, can you imagine what his voice will sound like by then? CHILLS!

It is the same re-boot he has achieved when he stayed in Manila for 38 days and virtually amped his game by playing lead in a romantic-drama series, modelling for Bench/Fix, singing a Tagalog song and recording a full OPM album of mushy & heart-rending love songs. The reluctant love crooner making goo-goo eyes plus courting a hug-fest with two leading ladies and then tackling a full-on romantic album which he wrapped in a record time of 4 days! Once more with feelings, WHO DOES THAT?! All for the love of his Archies & Arch Angels

Working till the 11th hour

And yet, he is not done. He is bent on finishing another album, back in the US, this time of the inspirational variety. So, if there is any proof of how hardworking David is, just look at the pictures below, posted today by Kari & Deseret Book, on the eve of his departure!

David has declared countless times — “I WILL COME BACK!” David will return to music… to us. As the song Rainbow says, “… my faith in you is clear.” So I know he will make good on that promise.

See you in two years, Elder Archuleta! Vaya con Dios dearest.

~JR
#DA2014

BTS Recording US album cr kari

BTS Recording US album cr Deseret

Deseret Book David Archuleta worked with Kurt Bestor and a string orchestra. Sounded incredible!

Deseret Book Here you can tell David is singing his heart out. Deseret Book was grateful to be able to spend these moments with David before he leaves on his mission and we wish him well!

Deseret Book Kurt provides a little comedy just before David leaves the studio.

Richard Parkinson family with David, as posted in FOD

@DavidArchie with Miriam Mayorga Cauley and Reina Mayorga Deliz Photo credit to @missitii91

———————–

David’s Farewell Vlog – It’s Not Goodbye!

Elder Archuleta Leaving for MTC Provo posted @ FOD live chat

MEDIA BUZZ

ABC4News on DA entering MTC (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFsvzi2JWU8

DA starts his 2-yr mission @ KSLNews (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF1uZxoOCPI

KSL Special Feature in DA (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US01eovkuMU

KSLNews’ 5-on-5: Why Utahns Love DA (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt8BCg8uPvU

Another coverage, this time from Fox25, Boston MA (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGqm7e4CUy0

from GTU TableTalk (29 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTt2JmOGv5U

From ClevverTV (29 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tKn_saQRGU

Enews (29 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40H3uhFzAWw

Fox16 News, Little Rock (30 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bOSsDycCGQ

Fox13 News, Utah mentions DA (02 Apr)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND602tTTpl0

A Special Mission to Archies & “Lambing” from Ivory Records

Lam-bing (noun) def: a caress, a tender request

On March 31st, the Forevermore Music Video will be unveiled simultaneously in MYX and during the fan gatherings with Astroplus (The Block, SM North EDSA) and Odyssey (SM Mega). Something is likewise in-store for international fans.

So, Ivory asks of Archies worldwide — can we propel the MV to the #1 spot on Pop MYX and the WAIT MV to #1 of MYX International Top 20, at the same time? Ivory believes that this will be a wonderful gift to David who has worked extra hard on this project.

Here’s a teaser of the MV

SO, CAN WE ARCHIES? CAN WE? DO WE? MUST WE? Whatdyathink?

Let me end this with something Jeff said about his Forevermore experience

I wish all artists can be like David Archuleta! Our time schedule for this project was crazy! It was Murphy’s Law till the end! But working with someone like David made it all worthwhile. Not only is he one of the best musicians we have ever worked with, he is probably the nicest, kindest artist. Working with him upclose, we now understand why his fans love him so much. He truly deserves the respect and accolade given him. We look forward to working with him again. And for the Archies out there – watch out! We have more goodies for you!

~ Jeff Joson, Ivory Records

From the OS

FOREVERMORE VIDEO PREMIERE
On April 1, 2012 catch the premiere of David Archuleta’s newest video “Forevermore” on MYX. Keep on watching MYX or visit MYXph.com for more details. Get a dose of David Archuleta’s “Forevermore” video, only on MYX. Your Choice. Your Music. Starting April 1, 2012 you can vote for “Forevermore”, just visit MYXph.com to vote for the video.

For fans outside the Philippines, you can catch the online premiere on April 1, 2012 (Manila Time) on Yahoo! Philippines. Check Yahoo! Philippines for more details.

Check out the teaser for the “Forevermore” music video here:

Video: Ivory Music & Video

DAVID ARCHULETA FANS DAY
On March 31, 2012 there will be David Archuleta Fan Gatherings in select partner music stores in the Philippines (see below). Fans who visit the designated stores on March 31, 2012 will get the chance to be one of the first to view David’s newest music video “Forevermore”. Lots of exciting activities are in store for fans who visit the designated stores on March 31. There will also be exclusive freebies, lots of fan interaction and of course – the Forevermore album! Keep checking Ivory Music & Video’s Facebook page for updates.

Astroplus The Block – March 31, 2012
Unit A & E 229 2nd Flr., The Block,
SM City North Edsa

Odyssey Megamall – March 31, 2012
SM Megamall , Julia Vargas Ave., Mandaluyong City,
Metro Manila, Philippines

Pre-orders Served!

Actually, the CDs had been available since Friday in selected stores to those who pre-ordered the album during last month’s Megamall Pre-sale Launch.

Apart from this, Ivory & Astroplus were kind enough to consider my request to get advanced copies of the album for a special shipment to worldwide fans.

Hence, the Listening Party last Friday right after Nandito Ako Finale.

Digital Copies Soon from MyMusicStore!

Watch out for MyMusicStore announcement. They will definitely offer the whole album real soon!

More Goodies from Ivory on March 31

In addition to the official release of Forevermore to Astroplus and Odyssey stores nationwide on Monday, March 26, there will be a fan gathering at Astroplus in The Block and at Odyssey in SM Megamall on March 31st, as announced by Ivory Music. The Forevermore Music Video will be released on the same gathering!

It Took a Village

As mentioned above, Ivory & Astroplus were kind enough to consider my request to get advanced copies of the album for a special shipment to worldwide fans.

You see, @lorms was supposed to go to the US some time in March. But the CD release got delayed and @lorm’s trip got postponed to later this year. The good news was that her officemate would still travel and was so kind enough to help the Archies get the CDs offshore!

But the delay in the release of the CD got us all worried if we could still do the special shipment. So I decided to ask help from Ivory on the possibility of getting “advanced copies” of the album. Ivory was so understanding of our plight and agreed to let me know as soon as the stocks hit the warehouse! The target was for a March Week2 release date.

After a couple of false alarms, I finally got the go signal to get the “hawt copies” on March 23 Friday 2pm. I was still cooking up something that day (and had to finish a report at work – dang RL keeps getting in the way, no?!) but I was hopeful I could finish this special mission within 2 hours tops!

WRONG! Took me almost 6 hours to get the lot (55 for Lorma, 10 for Naree and 15 for me) of CDs from the Ivory warehouse to Lorma’s hands.

* Since am not familiar with the warehouse location, had to circle the block 3x
* Had to contend with traffic and circling unfamiliar places w/ traffic wasn’t the best experience!
* Astroplus had to tag the pre-orders with their list and stamp the receipts individually
* AstroPlus had to coordinate with its Ayala store cos some of Lorma’s pre-orders were placed with another branch w/ partial payment arrangements
* Astroplus had to coordinate with My Multiply for the online orders which were supposed to be delivered to my office

So you see how much I love these guys? The trouble they had to go through just for us fans!

By 7pm I was back in the office, eagerly waiting for Lorma and show her our “harvest”! LOL The two of us had to work still, packing the stuff – Lorma on her 60 CDs and me on my 15 CDs (with me still working on another special mission) in time for her officemate’s flight the next day. You can say that both of us had an all-nighter in our respective rooms!

Lorma wrote a nice recap of her Forevermore experience HERE

Meanwhile, here are pics of the 1st CD I had my hands on Notice the background, they were still unpacking the boxes, counting the stocks!

Again, thank you Jeff & Connie of Ivory for granting my request! Thank you Choy & Lei of Astroplus for helping make this happen. Jeff even took the time to meet me. We had a very interesting and lengthy talk, some details I was sworn to secrecy (LOL), some I will be able to share as the days progress.

A “Lambing” from Ivory Records

Lam-bing (noun) def: a caress, a tender request

On March 31st, the Forevermore Music Video will be unveiled simultaneously in MYX and during the fan gatherings with Astroplus (The Block, SM North EDSA) and Odyssey (SM Mega). Something is likewise in-store for international fans.

So, Ivory asks of Archies worldwide — can we propel the MV to the #1 spot on both MYX International Top 20 and Pop MYX, at the same time? Ivory believes that this will be a wonderful gift to David who has worked extra hard on this project.

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

CAN WE ARCHIES? CAN WE? DO WE? MUST WE? Whatdyathink?

Let me end this mini-saga with something Jeff said about his Forevermore experience

I wish all artists can be like David Archuleta! Our time schedule for this project was crazy! It was Murphy’s Law till the end! But working with someone like David made it all worthwhile. Not only is he one of the best musicians we have ever worked with, he is probably the nicest, kindest artist. Working with him upclose, we now understand why his fans love him so much. He truly deserves the respect and accolade given him. We look forward to working with him again. And for the Archies out there – watch out! We have more goodies for you!

~ Jeff Joson, Ivory Records