Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:09:00 05/12/2009

Filed Under: Celebrities, Entertainment (general)

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) ‘American Idol’ David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta arrived in the country Tuesday for a concert on May 16.

Cook arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday aboard Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 910.

Cook, 26, a rock singer-writer who competed in the singing contest’s 7th season, was met by promoters of the concert.

Archuleta arrived around 3:30 p.m. on board Qatar Airways Flight QR 64.

FUNFARE UPDATE By Ricardo F. Lo

“It felt like a Saturday family nightout.”

That’s how my fiftysomething friend Vivian S. described the David Cook & David Archuleta Live in Manila concert at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Concert Grounds last Saturday night that capped the American Idols discoveries’ heady five-day visit which was packed full with TV guestings and endless media interviews starting on Tuesday, May 12, upon their separate arrival (Cook on Singapore Airlines from the US and Archuleta on Qatar Airlines from UK where he just had a concert).

Every available space of the MOA was occupied by screaming fans who had to stand on their seats to catch the action onstage, while others (my friend included) contented themselves by watching the goings-on on two huge monitors, one installed onstage and the other beside the stage.

If we are to gauge the size of the crowd by the one that filled up the same venue during the second reunion concert of the Eraserheads last March, estimated to be “in the vicinity of 100,000,” then it’s safe to conclude that the two Davids’ concert was a H-U-G-E success, no wonder those behind it must be smiling from ear to ear — Jomari Yllana and the Singson brothers Ryan and Ronald of Fearless Promotions, and US-based Rhiza Pascua of Music Management International (MMI) who has been bringing here A-list foreign acts (the last having been sweethearts Chris Brown and Rihanna)

The show started at 8:30 and ended at almost midnight and the two Davids gave their all. If they were reeling from jetlag, they didn’t show it.

“They were in awe at the reaction of the crowd which broke into deafening screams at the start of every song,” said Vivian S. who actually acted as chaperon for her son Jan Vincent Sarabia Ong (who writes for the STAR’s Supreme section).

Among the two Davids’ most-applauded numbers were those from their respective albums and other songs as well, such as Light On (by Cook), and Crush and Stand By Me, the same song Archuleta sang on American Idols whose producers had to pay royalties because, it turned out, Archuleta didn’t get a “permit” to sing it from the copyright-holders.It was Archuleta (Archie for short) who kicked off the show, followed by Cook. Equal time. Fireworks lasting 15 minutes served as “intermission.”

At 18, Archie attracts a teen following while Cook, at 26, those “above 20.”

“I guess Archie’s fans came with their parents also as chaperons,” said Vivian S. “May mga lola pa nga yata na nanood. Hehehehe!”

The two Davids didn’t do any duet. But Archie sang a little portion of a Cook song as a fitting ending to a concert that fans worried might not happen because only a week earlier, Cook’s 37-year-old lawyer-brother Adam succumbed to the brain cancer he had fought for more than a decade.

“I have my family to lean on,” said Cook in an exclusive joint interview with Funfare Update and GMA’s Startalk, when asked how he was coping with the loss. “Cancelling the show was never an option. I’m performing kinda feeling that I’m doing it in memory of my brother. How I wish he’s still around so I can tell him what a wonderful experience I had in Manila. Anyway, I’m gonna keep on playing and playing because it’s the best therapy.”

The two Davids left yesterday for L.A., again on separate flights, Cook in the morning on Singapore Airlines and Archie in the evening on Philippine Airlines, bringing with them beautiful memories of mangoes (“Taste like heaven,” gushed Archie) and puto (Ramiele Malubay, the Filipina with the two Davids on American Idols, who first made Cook taste it) and avid fans who wouldn’t let them be anywhere they went during their five-day stay, short of breaking into their rooms at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel where they were billetted with their entourage.

Concluded my fiftysomething friend, “Cook, who performed with the band he has had even before he competed in American Idols and ended up the champion, has a wider range. He’s a rocker. Archie, who is being likened to Paul Anka, is a good R&B artist.”

MANILA, Philippines – One of the highlights of American Idol’s Season 7 was the much talked about David vs. David rivalry between David Cook and David Archuleta. On May 16, 8 p.m., Filipinos will have the rare opportunity to watch them perform in their first time back-to-back concert in David and David Live at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Held in cooperation with Master Card Club Fearless Productions, Inc., the performance will feature a fusion of rock, slow rock and pop music.

Cook rose to fame after winning AI. Millions of people all over the world fell in love with this rock singer-songwriter while watching him after week. Cook won with his rich, unfettered voice and passionately intense performances, not to mention his down-to-earth Midwestern charm. He was declared winner with a record breaking 56 percent of the nearly one million votes cast.

Archuleta, on the other hand, won the children’s division of the UTAH Talent Competition at age 10 leading to other television singing experiences. At 12, he became one of the youngest finalists on AI. In May 2008, he finished as runner-up, receiving 44 percent of over 97 million votes.

Cook is a stronger singer, better than many other rockers such as Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis. He has a solid husky voice to his tone, but doesn’t have the flawless vocals of Archuleta, who has a classically pure voice. Archuleta has a beautiful tone, wonderful breath control, sings on pitch and knows how to belt without sounding forced.

He has an especially pleasing higher register and his voice is suited for ballads, Disney songs, pop or Broadway.

Although he is mature for his age, Archuleta is a little too programmed in the way he carries himself, as what often happens with child stars. Being forced to fit the American Idol mold at such a young age, he hasn’t yet developed his own personality.

Unlike Archuleta, Cook can let it loose and be himself on stage. He gives his all in every performance. He exudes confidence, charisma and a gritty raw energy that lights up the stage.