Three Reasons Why Filipinos Love David Archuleta

American Idol alumnus David Archuleta seemed to be in such high spirits when he greeted everyone at his press conference yesterday at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao. He is back to headline a holiday benefit concert titled David Archuleta and Friends on November 16 at the New Frontier Theater (formerly known as the Kia Theater) to support local charity Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, a surgical aid organization that provides free surgeries to correct conditions such as cataracts, cleft lip, and clubfoot, as well as giving after-surgery therapies to patients. The 28-year-old singer has been in the Philippines several times and here are a few reasons why I think Filipinos adore him.

He’s Got the Voice

The media was treated to a song after the press con and I was happy to hear and watch David perform live. He has such a sweet voice. It also has enough power to reach those notes flawlessly. No wonder he has been successfully part of such singing competitions like Star Search and American Idol. David currently has seven studio albums, including his current Christmas offering Winter in the Air. He shares that he will sing all the tracks in the album at the concert tomorrow and then some. He was asked how he celebrates Christmas in the US, he said that he, together with his family, would go caroling.

His Philanthropic Works

Aside from promoting his album, David is also preoccupied with his philanthropic activities and missionary works. He shared during the press con that he finds fulfillment by helping people who are in need. David served a two-year mission at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints years ago and has also toured around the world for charitable projects. That is why he’s currently in the Philippines for a one-night only performance to help Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, which is celebrating their 30^th anniversary. David will be joined by Filipino talents JBK, Mikee Misalucha, and Anton Anternorcruz.

He’s Crazy About His Pinoy Fans and the Philippines

Probably a lot of David’s Filipino fans see him as an honorary Pinoy since he’s been in the country a lot of times. David shared that the reason why he keeps coming back would be the overwhelming support that his Filipino fans shower him. “Filipino fans are very sincere. If they tell you that they like a song and they’re fans, they truly are,” he says. In 2012, David had a TV5 series that he co-starred with Jasmine Curtis-Smith called Nandito Ako. He also recorded an all OPM album; renditions of Pinoy favorites like “Forevermore,” “I’ll Never Go,” “Tell Me,” to name a few. He also has a version of an Ogie Alcasid original “Nandito Ako.” During the press con, he was asked which Filipino musician he would love to work with and he said Regine Velasquez for I guess, obvious reasons because she’s one of the best voices in Asia. Even though he has stayed here for more than a month, David admits that it was mostly for work. He said that hopefully he’d be able to come back for a vacation and to really see the beautiful places that the Philippines has to offer.

Catch David Archuleta at the New Frontier Theater on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 6:30PM. For tickets, visit Ticketnet. To know more about Mabuhay Deseret Foundation and how you can donate and help the charity, visit them at www.mabuhaydeseretfoundation.org . Follow David Archuleta on Instagram and Twitter.