Last Friday, Nov. 16, American Idol alumnus David Archuleta joined local Filipino artists on stage at the New Frontier Theater (formerly known as Kia Theater) to support the largest local surgical charity, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation.
The show began with opening acts by boyband JBK, up-and-coming recording artist Mikee Misalucha, and “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” finalist Anton Antenorcruz.
The holiday concert had two missions: first was to promote David’s new Christmas album, Winter in the Air, which recently came out; and secondly, to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, which works to provide free surgeries to correct conditions such as cataracts, cleft lip, and clubfoot.
In a social media post, David said that proceeds of the concert will help provide operations for patients who are less fortunate.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve been here, but it’s nice to be able to give back to a country that has given so much to me throughout my career,” David said during a press meeting held prior to the benefit concert.
“The massive support the Filipinos have always shown has meant a lot to me. I got to make friends here, I got to know the culture, and I got to live it. I just felt a special connection, a very special bond with the people. That’s what keeps me coming back,” he added.
David has been a Filipino favorite since his American Idol days and in 2008 with his debut hit single “Crush.” He became closer to Filipino audiences in 2012 when he became part of the TV5 mini-series Nandito Ako with Jasmine Curtis-Smith. He also recorded an album of OPM covers such as “Forevermore,” and “I’ll Never Go.”
Foundation Director, Melody Ledesma, says, “Mabuhay Deseret is different than most surgical charities in the Philippines because we partner with local Filipino doctors and hospitals. This allows patients to receive care from start to finish, including speech therapy for cleft patients, and physical therapy for orthopedic patients.”
For more information about the event or the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, visit the Facebook event page (https://www.facebook.com/mabuhaydeseret)