How I Met David Archuleta

David Archuleta was here in the Philippines for almost 5 weeks, the longest he has been on any of his international visits. He was here to shoot a mini-series with TV5 entitled "Nandito Ako" and yes, he sang the Ogie Alcasid original.







I was dying everyday because I really wanted to see him, I was just busy (work and gradschool) and did not have time to exert as much effort as his fans were (think: fetching him at the airport, going to his presscons and mall tours every single time) But I really believed that we were meant to be. I thought it was the end of it all, when he announced that he was taking a 2-year time off from the biz to go on an LDS Mission? (He's a Mormon) And from that time on, I was hoping and praying that I would see him one last time before he leaves! Even praying that he would get sent to the Philippines for the mission, I'd quit my job and go to wherever he is! HAHA

Nandito Ako every weeknights at 9pm after Wil Time Big Time on TV5!

During his final week, I was losing all hope. I was ready for my 'dark ages'; the moment David leaves this country I'll be a total wreck, like how a boyfriend leaves her girlfriend for a promising career. Anyone who does not know my love (love, really, is an understatement for what I feel) for David, and who calls me "just" a "fan" does not know me that well. I am not just a fan. I really believe we are meant to be. (example, Katie Holmes was a huge fan of Tom Cruise even before she debuted on Dawson's Creek. Look. Well, there's a another example I'm hesitant to use but I'll just say it to get my point across: Anabel Rama) That level of love, and destiny and fate! Kasi naman! What are the odds of David Archuleta deciding that he wants to do a teleserye in the Philippines? Pwede naman kasi yung mga half-pinoy Hollywood stars diba? Or International celebrities (i.e. Carmen Soo, Marie Digby) who frequent flying to the Philippines.





So during his supposedly last week in the Philippines (3rd taping week for the miniserye) and I was losing all hope. And like Cinderella, a Fairy God Mother appeared. 

Maam Upeng was my teacher at PETA's Creative Musical Theater workshop last Summer.
We are meant to be. 

Feb 2, 2012 (Thursday) - I woke up with LBM (tmi ba) and I didn't go to work. Around 10 in the morning, I was feeling much better, so I got dressed for work and was a bout to leave, when Maam Upeng texted me  "punta ka na dito ngayon na" No brainer there. I got dressed again, and went straight to the set (yes, without my FGM telling me where to go, I knew where they were shooting haha) and met up with my FGM, Maam Upeng. Didn't take pictures while on the set because I couldn't and okay, I was shy to walk up to him and ask for one. (read: tanga) He finally arrived and greeted Maam Upeng.
FGM: David this is Timee, she's my student in musical theater. I just brought her along.David and Timee shake hands. Timee explodes inside. Timee cries inside. Timee screams inside.David: Oh wow musical theater! So nice of you to drop by!Timee just smiles at David. speechless.
DROP BY.Yes, because I was so busy with my life, all I could do was drop by. I was there from 12nn to 10pm. David I hope you know that I will not JUST drop by for you. HAHAHA
I was "BEHIND THE SCENES" personified. I was literally behind the scenes, behind the camera, while they shot scene after scene. And I was just so calm. I looked bored, according to the people who talked to me on the set "uy okay ka lang ba? mukhang bored ka na" YES, I AM AN EXPERT AT CONTAINING MYSELF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. :)
When there were no scenes to be shot, we waited at the big dressing room, and sometimes, David would visit the rest of the cast there, make kulit with the kids on the set, photobooth with Jas, Eula and Gtongi, etc. I saw the David who was not with the fans. He was very makulit, very fun, and he bonded with everyone, not just the cast, but with the staff as well. The other cast members were friendly too, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Eula Caballero, G Tongi, Alwyn Uytingco, Mon Confiado (this guy has been in the industry for a very long time, someone give him a breakthrough role! He does his job really well! Have you seen 'Sa Ilalim ng Tulay' a cinemaone original? He was soo good, I instantly became a fan! haha) 
I did not regret not taking any pictures (I did take some but I won't post it. haha I just needed proof that I was there hahaha!) because it was all in my heart. This was a dream come true. I did not even think that I would have this opportunity. 

Feb 3, 2012 (Friday) - I took the whole day off from work (hihi) because it was the shooting for the miniserye's 'concert scene'. TV5 needed an audience for Josh Bradley's concert, so they gave out shoot passes for those who lined up for it. I dragged Vian to line up with me at 10am (giving out of passes start at 2pm) and we did get the passes. 

Around 4pm, Fairy God Mother Maam Upeng texted, looking for us. She was going to take us in again. So we rushed to the venue, and met up with her, while the other fans were lining up with their shoot passes. We didn't need ours anymore. hihi. We sat in the theater where the concert scene will be shot, and made chika with Maam Upeng! It HAS been awhile since we were last with her! Suddenly, HE came on stage with Jay Durias and rehearsed a few songs. 
A private concert. for Vian and I. 
No screaming fans, no cellphones or cameras up in our faces to cover our view, no riot in the audience area, just his sweet voice serenading whoever was in that theater. 
I was happy. If the equipment fell on me and I died, that would've been okay. All my dreams coming true right in front of my very eyes. I was very happy. The happiest. 
We still went on with the concert scene shoot, he sang "Wherever You Are" and "Rainbow" originally from Southborder (which was why Jay Durias was on the keyboard, i miss Southborder!) and then "Nandito Ako" They shot the whole scene, including the audience screaming "Josh Bradley!" We were asked to bring posters and banners that say JOSH BRADLEY instead of David Archuleta. Since Vian and I were still putting up this "front" that we were NOT fans, we just politely clapped and cheered on for David. We did not scream, we also wanted to hear him sing the songs. Then he stepped out of his character for awhile, and sang "Something 'Bout Love" as his way of saying thank you to everyone who came out for the shoot. After those songs, it was dinner break. After that, were the scenes they had to shoot with the hired talents. The fans were free to stay if they wanted to, but we were tired and hungry (aba!) and it was late, and we were okay with whatever we experienced already. Nothing could top that anymore. 
So we stayed for a little more, wondering if we could take a picture with him. We took pictures with the cast instead! :)

with the ever pretty Jasmine Curtis-Smith (gulo ng buhok ko)

with the also ever so pretty, Eula Caballero

and ever so kind, Mon Confiado (seriously, showbiz industry give him a break!)

Bakit parepareho lang pose ko sa mga pictures? haha Everyone was so nice, including David's hairdressers, a team from Salon de Manila. I doubt if they remember me now, but they remembered me during my 2nd day on the set! "Oo nga, andito ka rin kahapon diba?" Jasmine said. haha "sorry pakalat-kalat ako sa set nyo" I replied. The others also said the same, kahapon ka pa nandito ako. YES, NANDITO AKO. hahaha

David Archuleta for Bench Fix along Magallanes

He even had enough time to shoot 2 videos for the pambansang VFF (Virtual Friend Forever) and the best Virtual Personal Assistant ever (better than Siri), Ate Vangie.


"Personal Scheduling"



"Vangie teaches Archie about PINOY 101" (this has got to be his cutest video everrrr! hahahhaa)

I did not see any more of David again after that because I'm afraid I'll get disappointed. Even if he came back to the Philippines for 2 more weeks to endorse for Bench Fix, to finish recording his OPM Album entitled "Forevermore" and to do more mall shows to promote his album and his mini-serye, Nothing will ever top what I experienced. Nothing. :)

Nandito din Ako, umiibig sayo. :)

Love you David Archuleta! See you again in 2 years! I am so confident that you will be back in the Philippines after your mission. :)