David Archuleta salutes Filipino artists via OPM album

By Rowena Joy A. Sanchez – Making an all-English OPM album isn’t just a special treat for his fans, but iit s international idol David Archuleta’s way of paying homage to Filipino artists.

Although the album “Forevermore” contains his renditions of some of the most well-loved OPM songs, the “American Idol” Season 7 runner-up does not intend to be compared with the original singers.

“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,” said he at the press conference for the album.

David is known for his soulful singing and this stems from how much premium he puts in conveying the message of the songs.

“You just try to do your best so that people won’t bother comparing you to the original singer, so that people just connect to your performance and the song and what it’s about. As a singer your job is never to be compared to someone else. You just hope that you can give justice to the song… and allow people to connect to it…” he related.

It was David’s first time to make an album like “Forevermore.” But unlike in his previous albums, he didn’t have as much time for recording.

He recalled recording “Forevermore” for just a few days, shortly after he came from Singapore for some engagements.

He lauded his producers Jimmy Antiporda and South Border’s Jay Durias for being “great musicians.”

“We recorded three songs in a day, not to mention Jimmy will also arrange the songs [and] right there and then we move on to the next song… It was really fast so I give big props to Jimmy and Jay for what they’re able to accomplish in such a short time,” David said.

The singer-songwriter admitted that he isn’t used to such a fast-paced process. Nevertheless, the venture made him realize how much he’s grown as artist.

“In my life I tend to be very slow. So it’s nice to know that I can do things quickly and still be okay with it. Sometimes I’d be like, ‘Ugh, I wish I had more time’ but it’s like, ‘You know what, we still did our best with the time that we have…’

“I’ve realized… how I’ve been able to make decisions a lot faster, how I’ve been able to learn what I want or don’t want, to have been able to speak up more,” said David.

Songs included in his album are the title track, “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).

In the same media huddle, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit president Ogie Alcasid handed David a plaque of appreciation for recording an OPM album.

Since he won’t be in the country for the release of “Forevermore” in March under Ivory Music and Video, Inc., David did a pre-sale signing of the album last Feb. 13 at SM Megamall.

In spite of his tight schedule (he’s been in the Philippines for about a month already for various commitments), David manages to prepare spiritually for his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.

Prayers, he noted, keeps him “in touch” with his Creator.

“There’s nothing like the power of prayer,” he said.

David acknowledges that his decision to go on hiatus for the Mormon mission has not been easy, yet he is certain “I have to go.”

“It’s something I can’t play out forever. For anyone going out to a mission, there’s never the right time to go because it’s always gonna be a hard decision to make, it’s always gonna be a sacrifice, but that’s the point of every mission,” he said.

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