This time last night I was at the Mall of Asia grounds having just wept for the first time at the end of a rock concert. Whowudathunk right? The last week has been a blur with real life (and work) taking a temporary backseat to fan life.

ETA: The weather was perfect for the concert. We had rains last week (despite the fact that it is still summer), but yesterday, mother nature gave us clear skies all day! The lines for the free seating and standing sections started as early as around noon. By the time I got to the Mall of Asia grounds, it was already 4 pm and the place was so full of people. Traffic was already becoming a nightmare. Parking was already becoming very difficult. And all the places to eat around the venue were packed.

At around 8:30 pm, David Archuleta came out with his band and started bouncing around to Touch My Hand. Now if you've ever seen Archie perform live it would be very difficult not to be taken in by the pure joy that he exhibits. He was bouncing around having fun and the crowd certainly showed its appreciation. About 3 songs in a fellow Cook fan started screaming at us pointing towards stage right. Lo and behold, there he was, David, watching Archie while sitting I think on one of the hard cases where they keep the musical instruments. After that I spent the next 3 songs watching David while listening to Archie sing his music. After about 2 or 3 more songs, David left so I went back to watching Archie and his band. About 3 more songs before Archie's set ended, David came back and watched from the side, this time standing beside the scaffolding. Later on, he actually moved toward the edge of the stage so you could see him very clearly. So there I was once again, watching him listening to Crush. At the end of Archie's set, there was a mad dash as the techs moved Archie's equipment out and David's equipment in.

ETA: Totally forgot to mention that conversely, during Cook's set, Archie's band were watching from the side. They were later on joined by no less than Jeff Archuleta (who is a really cool guy as we found out.)

When the fireworks started, I knew that it wouldn't be long before we see David and the EEB. I tell the you the place was buzzing! Some people might question my objectivity on this since I am a certified Cookista, but I swear, you could feel it. As much as David loves his small intimate concerts (and I would personally love to attend one of these as I actually prefer small to medium sized venues than big arenas), it cannot be denied that he is meant to play humongous crowds.

As an aside, I actually asked my friends who watched the concert from the back (and who are not really fans of either) who got louder screams (Please don't think of this as a fanwar thing. It was more of a marketing thing as I was gauging the possibility of someone bringing him back in the future.) In any case, they both told me that they both got really loud screams, David however got louder screams with "malisya". The direct translation of that would be people screamed with malice. The actual translation would be more to the effect that people were screaming with lascivious intent. Kidding! But yeah, something like that except less salacious than you would think from my previous statement.

In any case, Andy was the first one of the band to come out. Then David emerged from the bottom of the stage and I went deaf. The World I Know was all that and more. To preface this, I had prepared myself for the possibility that David would not be in his best voice tonight. He had been sick (sore throat and the sniffles) since they arrived here and as of yesterday morning, we knew that he was still under the weather. But man, he sounded AMAZING! And like I previously mentioned, he is meant to sing to large crowds in that TWIK was a very intimate, quiet song but his presence and voice elicited screams and reactions up to the very back of the crowd.

At the end of TWIK, the rest of the EEB came out and they rocked out to Heroes. I hope that David could hear us singing back to him "you're still standing". At this time, most the the crowd were on their feet and rocking out with David. It was a fantastic feeling as a Cook fan to see that many people responding to him. They launched into Mr. Sensitive, Declaration and LOTM and the house was just rocking!

Several people sat down for certain stretches of the concert where they were not familiar with the music, but David kept the energy high launching from one song to the other. In the parts where he would stop, he kept the crowd entertained eliciting shrieks from everyone.

I cannot remember exactly when this happened but he said good evening in the local language (Magandang Gabi) and got shouts of approval. It is certainly appreciated whenever visiting artists try to learn to say at least a little of the local language even though English is effectively the country's second language.

ABMB was epic in and of itself because we finally got to hear it in its full plugged in, full band glory live. I am very grateful that the Philippines got the first crack at it because we loved that song so much here last year. So much so that it topped the year end countdown of the biggest radio station here in Manila. On a side note, Andy singing back-up? Perfect.

I guess to balance out the fact that they had just played a Mariah Carey cover, they launched right into KOTN.

I think this is when the hot moment between David and Neal happened where Neal went to the middle of the stage and then Dave went to him and leaned in (and I think put his head on Neal's shoulder?) And if it wasn't this song, it was in some other song's interlude. Anyway, as I said, it was totally hot which is why I'm having trouble processing it and can't remember when it happened. My brain has 'ploded. (EDIT: This happened during Little Lies just after the water pouring)

David went down the stage and into the front of the audience during Straight Ahead interlude. He took people's cameras and snapped shots of himself. Heeh.

They then played Make Me after which they did Avalanche which was also popular here earlier this year thus the ensuing sing-along moments. Little Lies was also a crowd pleaser although many of those who don't usually watch the US concert videos were not familiar with it. They played it with much gusto however so it was all good!

Oh, there was also a part during the interlude of one song where Dave poured water into Joey's mouth. As an aside on Joey, he was so freaking energetic during the entire set. He was jumping around. And on certain parts, Andy, Neal and Joey did coordinated jumps. It was so cool! Oh and he also did the kick move thing after one song and David playfully kicked him back.

Anyway, so we come to the part where David says thank you (salamat po) which once again elicited shrieks of delight. I think he got confused because he thought that just saying "salamat" was wrong. Actually adding "po" to just "salamat" is not necessary. Saying "Salamat Po" usually happens when you're talking to someone older, it's more a sign of respect. "Salamat" is fine by itself. He then spots a poster in the crowd saying "Marry Me Neal". He called Neal and the latter said "Okay". I died a little because I wish I was the one carrying the poster. But at the same time I was happy that I heard Neal speak!

The band then sang CBTM complete with David doing this weird hair thing during the windy line! LOL. Incidentally, today Magic 89.9 had its weekly Top 30 countdown show and CBTM is now on its 6th non-consecutive week at #1 in Magic! Also, the Pinoy fans have decided that CBTM now stands for Come Back To Manila.

Light On was one big sing-along for the crowd. It was really cool. The band then disappeared for a while so the crowd started chanting "David Cook!" Fantastic!

They came back to play the "hardest rocking song" on the record and the crowd went nuts! Of course, there was the requisite hot guitar action with Neal executing a perfect run slide straight into a backbend! (Judges score it a perfect 10.0!)

To end, as you know by now, they played ADAM. David started it by saying that it was their last song to disappointed "NOoooo's!" in the crowd. But he told us not to worry and that they were going out with a bang. The opening guitar melody for ADAM started and I swear I almost wept. He then said that he was dedicating the song to his brother. ADAM was so freaking epic. I cannot describe how great it was. When David called Archie on to the stage for the woaaah part, the crowd get even more energized than it already was as even the hardcore Archie only fans had to get up on their feet. I saw David signal the band 1 last time, then he had us sing the "woooaa" part acapella with our hands raised waving. I saw him put his left hand over his heart. He then bent, put his head on his left arm, put his hand on his mouth then raised that hand towards heaven. As I wrote that tears have once again welled up in my eyes.

He thanked the crowd, put hugged Archie then they went out with his arm slung around Archie's shoulders. Thus ended the concert that was just about perfect in every single way. And I have to say, a lot of people came out of there Cookified. So hopefully, David will one day find his way back again to Manila.

To all of the DCO'ers and everyone who expressed admiration and support for the Pinoy fans and the Cookistas, we are grateful as well.

And to David,

We hope you find everything that you need,
We'll be right here waiting to see
When you find your way back to Asia,
Come Back To Manila.