David Archuleta Endorses PHL Clothing Brand

MANILA, Philippines – “American Idol” Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta remains a busy bee in his remaining days in the country, shooting for the popular clothing brand Bench, which he now endorses.

The 21-year-old singer happily tweeted, “Having fun at the @benchtm photoshoot! Good times with the Bench family haha,” on Feb. 13.

Several minutes before David tweeted, the clothing brand’s proprietor, Ben Chan, posted a teaser also via Twitter—a close-up photo believed to be of the young star, covering his eyes with his left hand, smiling broadly.

“@BCbench Guess who's the next @benchtm endorser ? ?@benchtm instagr.am/p/G79nu2DMn_/,” Ben tweeted.

He later on posted a behind-the-scenes photo of David.

“David in between takes of photo shoot for @benchtm and FIX Hair products. Welcome to the BENCH family,” the businessman said.

Speculations brewed that the Utah native will endorse Bench after he was seen at a dinner party tendered on Feb. 10 for the brand’s recently launched endorser, “Pretty Little Liars” star Lucy Hale. The two even exchanged tweets after their meeting.

“Ok so I met one of the most adorable people ever w/ the most incredible voice @davidarchie seriously...what a talent,” Lucy posted on Feb. 10.

To which David responded, “@lucyyhale Haha, thanks Lucy. Good to see you here. Hope you have a great stay in the Philippines!”

According to Ben, David will be officially launched as endorser on Feb. 17.

David and Lucy join the league of Bench's international endorsers such as Taiwanese singer-actor Jerry Yan, "Vampire Diaries" star Michael Trevino, and Fil-Am singer-songwriter Bruno Mars.

With his several visits to the country in the past, as well as shooting for the TV5 series “Nandito Ako” and recording for his OPM album “Forevermore,” David apparently has grown more comfortable being in the Philippines. In a recent interview with Bulletin Entertainment and other members of the media, he enthused, “The whole Philippines has captured my heart.”

After his commitments here and abroad, David will embark on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, putting his music career on the back seat.

“So many people say—and for me too—music is one way of serving a mission. But it's not the same thing… Those missionaries changed my mom’s life and changed my life, the way I grew up, the way I was raised, and what is important to me. They've sacrificed so much, they leave their families... and everything that's comfortable and easy and convenient to them to become closer with God and to be closer with other people. Learn how to love the hard way... that's what I feel would be very great to have in my life,” he related.

source: mb.com.ph

Archuleta Soap To Air Overseas

MANILA, Philippines — It’s phenomenal, this rise to fame of David Archuleta. After he announced his plan to temporarily leave the music industry and go on a two-year mission service for the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, his last stint as an artist has been religiously followed by fans all over the world. Filipinos are as avid as David’s fans worldwide, especially now that David is starring in TV5’s “Nandito Ako” along with two homegrown talents, Jasmine Curtis Smith and Eula Caballero.

And now there’s a clamor for the series to air overseas. They are also excited to hear David’s version of “Nandito Ako” and are requesting to have it on iTunes. Some fans from Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and other Asian countries are even flying in just to watch Archuleta in action.

Too bad David did not have enough time to record the English version of the song, “Forever With You” which greatly disappointed the composer, US-based Aaron Paul del Rosario (who composed “Nandito Ako” for Ogie Alcasid).

“But I am not losing hope, my publishing company, PolyEast, are helping me look for an international singer to record ‘Forever With You.’ I was so excited when I was told David Archuleta could record it but he simply didn’t have enough time for this,” Aaron told us.

David also promoted his TV5 mini-serye at SM Fairview two Saturdays ago. With a crowd estimate of 3,500, the entire mall was rocked by deafening screams of fans.

Catch the stars of “Nandito Ako” on their future mall shows. Get details and updates from www.followarchuleta.ph and by following @TV5manila on Twitter.

“Nandito Ako” airs on TV5 on Feb. 20.

source: mb.com.ph

David Archuleta accepted TV5 deal for love of Pinoy fans

MANILA, Philippines – David Archuleta accepted the TV5 series out of love for his Filipino fans, all of whom, he said, have been very supportive of him through the years.

"Even though I may not be a [professional] actor, I thought this [acting stint] would be a really great new experience to try. Especially in the Philippines because I feel very comfortable with the people and I feel the fans here are very warm," he explained in a recent press conference.

Archuleta arrived Jan. 13 and will be staying in the country for the next three weeks. Already, he is looking forward to having fun here.

“ I always have a blast when I come [here], so [for me], it's always fun when I come to the Philippines," he said.

"I feel comfortable here. The people are very friendly and they're very supportive."

Archuleta, who has visited the country four times already, added that he looks forward to eating sisig, papaitan and tokwa’t baboy again.

Archuleta’s mini-series for TV5 dubbed “Nandito ako,” will have him share screen time with Eula Caballero and Jasmine Curtis both of whom he has already met.

"I look forward to working with them. It's [going] to be a different experience. It will be fun working with people my age," he said.

He does not discount the possibility of falling for either Caballero or Curtis.

"I guess you can never say whom you'll fall in love with. I never say never,” he said.

As for the character his role on the series, Archuleta said it won’t be too much of a stretch as it is "just like him."

He takes comfort that he is not required to learn Filipino for the series.

"Most of the script will be in English. There will be a few words in Tagalog, but it should be easy," he said.

The 21-year old reiterated in the same press conference that his two-year mission as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will push through middle of this year.

"Coming to the Philippines... [the TV5 project] fit my schedule before my departure. I will be leaving in a couple of months, but this is something I want to do before I go," he said.

Archuleta is not at the least worried about the period of time he will be away from the limelight.

"Two years will go really fast, man, it's been four years since ‘American Idol.’ So, two years, it is part of my life, and it's an important decision that I want to do in my life," he said.

He hopes to record enough material to be able to keep releasing songs even in absentia.

"Once I get back to the States, I'm gonna spend as much time as I can to record. So even though I won't be here, hopefully, I will still be here, you know, releasing new songs. I want to make sure I have something for my fans," he promised.

source: mb.com.ph

David Archuleta The Emotional Announcement We All Saw Coming ...

David Archuleta made a pretty big announcement about his personal life at a concert in Utah last night ... but to people who know the guy, it probably wasn't that shocking.

The former "American Idol" runner-up told his home crowd ... that he's ... (wait for it) ... putting his music career on hold for two-years to fulfill a full-time mission with the Mormon church!!

The announcement was pretty emotional -- with the crowd erupting in cheers ... and David breaking down and crying on stage.

20-year-old Archuleta explained, "It's not because somebody 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."

source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/20/david-archuleta-announcement/#.TvGpsVs6hog