So what's the other side of David A.?

Before he sat down for this one-on-one yesterday in a suite at the Manila Peninsula, American Idol runner-up David Archuleta was casually singing a song from his new album titled The Other Side of Down (released locally by Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.). He was in a buoyant mood, hardly showing any signs of wear and tear even if he had just flown in the day before from Singapore for the album promo, which is also what brought him here for the second time. Last year, David A. co-starred in a concert at the MOA Concert Grounds with his namesake, David Cook, who was, in contrast to David A., very serious and very morose probably because he was grieving since his brother had died (of cancer) three weeks before he came to Manila.

David A. did a showcase yesterday afternoon at the Skydome of SM North EDSA.

“It would be fun to see my Filipino fans again and sing for them,” he said, apologizing every now and then when he had to clear his throat.

Let’s go straight to what David A. has to say about his album and other topics.

Why did you call your album The Other Side of Down?

“Because I want people to look at things in a different way. I wanted to be very positive with the album and I was able to help in writing the songs. I guess the main message is that life can be difficult and challenging but life is good even if sometimes it can be confusing.”

Confusing?

“Yeah. Life can be confusing especially among teenagers. You know, they keep asking, ‘Where do I take my life? What am I supposed to do?’ It’s a confusing time for so many people but at the same time there are so many opportunities, and so I wanted to remind people to just have a good attitude.”

How does it feel to be at the other side of down…to be up?

“Life is always like a roller-coaster, there are ups and there are downs. They never go away; they will always be there. But the downs make you appreciate the ups a lot more. Face the downs and be grateful for the ups.”

Do the songs on the album reflect the present state of your life and career?

“Yeah. The album is very David Archuleta. I just got to show the goopy-dorky side of me. It was fun doing that. The album is very personal for me. It will make my fans see where I am coming from as a person and where he’s hoping to go.”

Of course, you know Charice.

“Yes, of course!”

Any project with her?

“I did a Christmas album last year and I sang a duet with Charice on Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. I have always so much respect for Charice as a person and now I have so much respect for her as a person, too. She’s really great.”

You sound like you know Charice very well.

“Yeah, I do. I keep in touch with her. In fact, I’m seeing her on Sunday for a show.”

You have one thing in common with Charice. You sang the same song, And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going (from Dreamgirls, sung by Jennifer Hudson, another American Idol graduate), that sort of got you noticed.

“I sang it in American Idol before I became a contestant on it. Charice sang it on the YouTube (Uploaded by Charice’s fan from a talent-search show in Korea and that’s where Charice was discovered by Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey. --- RFL). That’s where I saw it.”

You seem to have the same taste in music.

“Yeah. It’s amazing how she sang that song. It’s cool.”

Are you a fan of Glee?

“Yeah. It’s really a fun show. It was cool seeing someone you know on that show. It’s a funny, hilarious show.”

Any chance of you guesting in Glee (like everybody else, including Britney Spears and Gwyneth Paltrow)?

“Ahhhh, I don’t know. You never know what can happen. I think it will be fun to be on that show. The characters are outcasts, they are kind of like the geeks. They love music. That’s me!”

You are also a boxing fan, aren’t you?

“Yes, I am. I met Manny Pacquiao at a party last year (Hosted by Ronald Singson who produced the two Davids’ show. --- RFL). I saw his fight (versus Antonio Margarito) in Texas. I watched it on TV. I’m a Pacquiao fan.”

So far, what would you consider the biggest challenge in your life?

“The biggest challenge? Hmmmm, just like anyone, how I can be useful in my life and what is it that I can do that will be beneficial not just for myself but for other people. I think that’s how you can leave a lasting impression. If you can serve other people, they can take that with them if you’re not around anymore.”

I think you’re doing exactly that with your music.

“Oh, thank you, thank you!”

Ronnie helps anti-cancer drive

Ronnie Liang marked his fifth year in showbiz last Nov. 15 by spending time with the kids at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC). The affair was organized by the UP Circle of Entrepreneurs. ‘It was my way of giving back,’ said Ronnie. ‘It was a great day with the sick kids.’ Ronnie ate with them, played with them, sang for them and distributed toys among them. ‘Sana ipagdasal natin ang paggaling ng mga bata.’

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])