My Kind of Life

Archufied: I dreamt therefore I am.

Arrogant.Assuming.Conceited.What else? Describe me with whatever adjective that is in negative form when you read this and I am more than willing to accept it wholeheartedly.  But honestly, I really do have the BEST David Archuleta experience prior to his third visit here in the Philippines. Yes, self-proclaimed as it may seem to everyone but I am confident enough to attest this acquisition of mine is purely based on what I think is true and real. And why would I choose to invent or make up some stories when I already got more than what I truly deserve?

Almost around two months ago before his concert, it was then announced that David Archuleta’s coming back to the Philippines for the third time for a major concert as part of his Asian tour in line with the promotion of his latest album, The Other Side of Down. Initially I was shocked and then became nostalgic about my unforgettable experiences during the past visits of David in Manila. My memories became more vivid as I get excited and excited and very excited. At last, the anticipation of him coming back once more to perform before us his Filipino fans has finally ended. During this time, all we had to deal with anymore was how we would contain our emotions as we wait for it to happen again and the prolonged fatal excitement! Yes, it can kill.

David’s first stop for his Asian Tour was Indonesia. It’s his first time in there and his visit was a great success. Indonesian fans were amazing and David was so happy for the warm welcome he had from them. His next stop was the Philippines! First I thought he was not so much excited to be back in our country (judging him based on his video blog about his Asian Tour). I was very stupid to think about it that way. I hate myself for that. I deserve one big slap on the cheeks for that. Why do I think such thing when I know that Manila is the David Archuleta Capital of Asia? I’m such a douchebag, I know. I’m very apologetic for this.

Time is really in full speed ahead. It always tricks me! Imagine, just last November, he was here to promote his newly released album then and now after eight months, he’s here again causing us to celebrate the time of our lives with his songs as the soundtrack! And this time, three more special songs are added because these three are exclusive for the The Other Side of Down: Asian Tour Edition album. Fantastic.Pinoy fans are really in the heart of the one and only David Archuleta. No doubt.

In the afternoon of July 17, David was geared up to set foot on the very soil of the Philippines, particularly in Manila. At the airport all of us went towards to welcome him again, just like what we always do when he’s arriving at NAIA. No one can top how we welcome David and that’s a fact. Even David himself can prove it, I guess. Haha But it really is the truth! We greet him with love like no other and let him feel that we are very happy that he is in country again. We want him to feel too that he is always welcome and appreciated here from the moment he comes up to the time he’ll leave again and until forever! It’s around 2:00pm when he got outside the terminal and we knew that was him already because the press started to do their jobs. We took it as a signal so we started screaming and shouting and cheering for David. I’m sure other people were thinking what the screaming and shouting were all about. When we caught David’s attention, he let us knew that we were heard and I think as a sign of thankfulness, he stepped up on the car and waved to us for few seconds. It was nice of him to do that and we were really surprised! Last time we welcomed him we had garlands for him (which I personally give to him), this time we had confettis dancing in the air as his car passed by us.

From the airport, we headed to SM Megamall where he would have a CD signing at 6:00pm. There were a lot who came out not just to see him but to support him and his album. In fact, as early as 7:00am, there were already fans outside the mall lining up to get an entry to the album signing which by the are limited only to a few. When he came out, we were all screaming to death! Why not? Before us was the guy named David Archuleta; moving, smiling, laughing, and waving. It was really him LIVE! We were really happy during the first time we set eyes on him again after eight months. During the signing, I was able to talk to Jeff Archuleta, David’s father, and said to him that I was sure that he was very proud of his son. He replied, “Absoulutely! Thanks for you guys. You should be proud of him too though. We appreciate all the love from here. You guys have been awesome.” And then we shook hands again. Haha It’s my first time to see Jeff in person but then again I feel honored because I happened to talk to him already. And then when it’s my turn to have my CD signed, I shook hands with David and said, “Welcome back, David! See you tomorrow (on his concert).” He said, “Thanks!” That was an awesome 10 second with him! But I wonder if he gets sick and tired of saying “thanks” to us or there are other things he tells his fans. I usually just get “thank you!” Haha No complains though. After that grand few seconds encounter with him, at the end of the stage, I met an angel sent to be an instrument for helping me to make my dream come true.

The next day, the 18^th, it was Monday, the day of his concert. How much excitement did I feel? It’s immeasurable! I’m not the type of student who always absents himself from class for no good reason. This time, just like the last time, I skipped classes for David and I have no regrets. Haha At first I planned attending two of my classes but I ended up attending only one. Again, no regrets I have. Before I started preparing to leave, I gave my angel a call and made a special request if he could help me to have a picture taken with David. It was so good of him to respond to me that he would look into it if it’s possible and he would just let me know what he could do. After few moments, he sent me a text message that has a contact number of another angel! I called this angel too and made a special request and she told me that she (this time my other angel is a girl) would just call me and tell the details but there was no confirmation made yet about that. All I did was to keep my fingers crossed and stayed positive and had faith.

And then I started gearing up. While I was preparing and fixing myself, it just sank into me that it was as if I was going to a date and not to a usual concert. In fairness, it wasn’t really a usual one because hey, it was David’s concert! I took my second bathe of the day and brushed my teeth once more; I was dressed well;and I was perfumed all over! HahaWhile I was at the FX on my way to Araneta Coliseum, I received a text message from my girl angel that I should be at the venue at 6:30pm for a freaking meet-and-greet with David Archuleta! If I wasn’t that shy to shout inside the FX, I would not just shout. I would dance to joy! Haha By the way, before I was granted with this “special” meet-and-greet, I already had one together with some of my friends. Yes, I got two friggin’ M&Gs! You might be thinking that I’m such a discontented man but so what if I am? I could be happy with a picture with David along with my other friends but my ultimate dream is to have a picture taken with just the two of us in it! I’m not as selfish as you think I am. How? Because I gave my other slot to another fellow fan so he could have his dream fulfilled. Am not I an angel for doing that? Haha I’m just kidding. But seriously, I really made him happy, I guess.

Because of my two angels, I became the luckiest fan of David Archuleta during that day of his concert! No, probably all throughout his stay here! Why not? I just didn’t have a group picture with David in it! We have a picture together, only the two of us! I took advantage of the opportunity because it might be the last time so I put my left arm around his shoulders. Haha We were like the best buddies in real life in the picture! At last, my greatest dream as a fanboy, it finally came true! By the way, this wouldn’t be possible if he didn’t look for me. Yes, you read it right. He looked for me before signing my copy of his book called Chord of Strength. But how?

Securities and his bouncers were really so strict that almost no one can come near to him but David’s team members and the producers of the concert. During the M&G, no autograph signing was allowed. I asked myself, “What’s the purpose of bringing his book if won’t be able to sign it?” Actually, I stole a quick time to give him my pen and have my book signed after the group picture taking. During this time, I witnessed that David is really so good that he doesn’t want to disappoint his fans and refuse our requests. He attempted to sign the cover of my book although his bouncer and body guard was trying to stop him to do so. He really did sign my book although his autograph looked like just scribbles.  But the thing is he tried to grant my request even though he was not allowed. How good of a man is he to do such, right? Forbidden yet trying to make his fans to be happy. A real evidence of how great he is, showing that we made the right choice of choosing him. And then we were asked to leave the room for the M&G. That was when I asked the help of my female angel. I met her and gave her the book so David could sign it. She asked me to wait for her at the exit after David had signed it. And from the exit, I saw her coming, thinking that finally there was a more decent autograph written on it dedicated to me. And to my surprise, she asked me to come with her at David’s dressing room! “OMG!” was all that I said and then started walking with my angel heading to where David was. And there was David outside his dressing room and I said hi. He said, “Oh. It’s you.” My angel said that I was Paolo and David asked me its spelling. I told him, “It’s P-A-O-L-O.” I used my second name instead of Aldrin because I was thinking that he might not understand me when I told him my first name. (Isn’t Aldrin an American name? How much stupid can I get?) After he signed my COS, that’s when I asked for a picture with him and he allowed it. The bouncer couldn’t try to stop it to happen because if he did, it would be him against DAVID ARCHULETA and my angel and me. Haha My angel took our picture together using my OWN camera. I’m proud to say that because only the official photographers could take pictures of him with the others. How special can I get when I got to use my digicam when having a picture with my IDOL? Epic! Unforgettable! Treasurable! Awesome! And all! Ha And before we departed ways, I told him once more that I was the one who gave him the flowers at the airport during the last time he visited us! He said, “Really? Thank you!” We shook hands again and I bid goodbye to him by saying “see you later” and “good luck” and as usual he replied, “Thank you!” I’m not so sure about this but I know he said too about me having fun that night at the show. And then David got inside his dressing room and I hugged my angel and thanked her as well for being able to help making my dream come true. I had a lot of small talks with David, I saw him personally a lot of times already, and there were a lot of shake hands, and few knuckle bumps by the way! Haha I told you, we were like the best buddies that time. LOL And at the exit, I bumped into Jeff and had a photo with him too and talked again to him quickly.

Having said all of that, I was so envied by a lot. Some of my friends and fellow fans got jealous of me big time, wanting to experience the same or replace me and wishing that it should have been them because they think they were more deserving. Haha Who wouldn’t? Hello, it’s David Archuleta! But I totally understand them and I am sure they are really happy for me. It only goes to show that good things really come to those who wait. I can therefore say that it can the best experience one David Archie fan can ever have, at least for me. Let’s just put it this way. If it’s meant to happen, it will happen. Just wait for the perfect time.

Another addition to the happiest moments in my life was the concert itself. Julie Ann San Jose was the front act that night and she was amazing! I enjoyed most while she was singing The Edge of Glory by Lady GaGa and Super Bass by Nicki Minaj. Everyone was looking at me while I was singing and rapping with her! HahaAnd few minutes after her set, it was David’s turn. He came out wearing a gray shirt with a red jacket and black pants. I never stopped singing along with him, singing the songs off his debut album and songs from the new album called The Other Side of Down. While he was performing, I was still half convinced that this was really happening, witnessing by my two eyes. David was singing live in front of me but because he was so good, it was as if I was listening to the album itself! All was impeccably sang with full of emotions and dedications. David managed to hit the highest of the notes of his songs and he never failed to entertain us very much! Not to mention he did some covers of songs of other artists. All of us in Araneta were having the time of our lives and fully enjoying it big time. What surprised us the most was when we heard from him that he prepared a very special song that he chose to sing just for us his Pinoyfans. He dedicated the song Heaven to us. That’s how special we are to him. He would never have done this if he never felt our love for him so much. He had tested us for how many times already about our love for him and we know he’s aware that he’s really loved by the Filipino fans, that he is so dear in our hearts. While he was singing, tears were falling down his cheeks. It wasn’t so obvious because he was sweating a lot. But we in nearest spot to the stage noticed that he was crying a bit while singing Heaven. He was very emotional that time. We could see it in his eyes. I guess it’s his one way of saying thank you to us Filipinos.

Because I was so thrilled and all, I had no sense of time that time. I didn’t know what time he came out the stage and what time his concert ended. I also didn’t know the duration of the show. I was really just having fun dancing, singing, screaming, cheering and all that. It was as if it was only me and David inside the Araneta and I never think of time or anything else. I was really focused and was feeling happy not only for myself but also for David because he’s really awesome. But my experience never ended to that. There’s more.

On Tuesday, the day before his concert, David will be at SM Southmall for another album signing and at Greenbelt 4 for a COS signing. I didn’t go to any of his appearances that day because I had to catch up on school. But I heard that both of the malls were packed with fans. In the morning, he went at a Mormon church somewhere near Guadalupe, I think. I’m not so sure of the place but I’m happy that David found time to spend some time with God during his stay here in Manila.  For dinner, he tried lots of Filipino cuisine at a local fast food chain somewhere in Manila. I feel sorry for myself because even though I’m an authentic Filipino, I haven’t tried eating Papaitan yet! But David, because he loves trying different cultures, he tried eating that! Other dishes he tried were Tokwa’tBaboy, Bistek, and Sizzling Gambas and more. Little by little, he’s getting Filipinonized! Haha

On Wednesday, it’s his last mall show already and it was at SM San Lazaro. In the morning, he put a blog up to update his other fans around the world about what’s happening to him and keeping them posted about his Asian tour. It’s his third time in the Philippines and it’s also the third video blog he made in here. Filipino Archu video blogs FTW! Haha During this day, before he headed to his signing, he finally tried riding a jeepney! I was happy because before he already told that he wanted to try riding one and finally he was given the chance to do it. Again, I have regular classes on this day and I skipped only two of my classes just to see him for the last time prior to his third visit. I had to be there early to get a great spot because I was sure there would be a lot of people in San Lazaro. During the signing, I talked to Jeff and asked if he also rode a jeepney and he said yes and it was good. For the last time, I shook hands with him. And when it’s my turn to have my CD signed, instead of my giving my CD, I gave our picture together so he could sign it. I told him, “It’s me and you!” He said “oh” and signed our picture. When I asked him how the jeepney ride was, he said that it was fun.  We shook hand for the nth time and as I walked away, I was saying “Please keep on coming back’ and he was smiling.

As I’m making this very long blog, David’s probably in Vietnam already for another stop of his tour. Although I spent a lot of money for this, I won’t regret it. It’s just some money. I can earn a lot more while I am waiting for him to be back again. Or, I could go abroad to watch him! We can never tell how luckier I can get. All I know is I can sacrifice a lot for David. He makes the music of my life. He’s a great man. I’m really looking forward to seeing him again perform live because watching him perform makes me forget about the thing I’m worried about in life for an hour or so. I’ll never get tired of following things in his life because they are inspiring. And, the most unique thing about David is he never let his fans down. I proved it and experienced personally. He so attached to us that is why every day that passes by, we love him more and more. All for David Archuleta! David for the win!