MANILA, Philippines – TV5 princess Jasmine Curtis Smith was adamant in saying that she and “Nandito Ako” co-star, “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta, are just friends, but when asked about his chances should he woo her, she blurted, “Choosy pa ba ako?”
“Si David na yan, no? But you know, right now what's important is our friendship," she said at the press conference tendered for the series.
She enumerated David’s many “pogi” points.
"Ang galing niyang kumanta, talagang may puso. At makikita mo how he connects sa audience,” she began. “ I didn't get to follow ‘American Idol’ when he was in it pero noong umuwi po ako dito sa Pilipinas, I heard his songs kay Ate [Anne Curtis] at nasabi ko sa sarili ko na, ‘Ang galing niya.’”
Jasmine also likes it that David is no quitter and always strives to give his best in everything he does. Though it’s his first time to go into acting, she notes that David is easy to work with and listens to suggestions.
“He adjusts to whatever needs to be done. Hindi siya tumitigil hangga’t hindi niya nabigay nang buong puso.”
David, it turns out, also cherishes his privacy. When Jasmine invited him to watch her sister’s “Annebisyosa” concert, David insisted on staying in the sidelight, not wanting to create a scene.
What did David say about the show? Jasmine said that she actually prepped him for it.
“Sabi ko, ‘David, don't laugh. I'll be singing at the concert.’ Sinabi ko rin na hindi talaga singer ang Ate ko. Sabi niya, ‘No, it's fine.’
“Sabi ko pa ipapakita ko na yung singing skills ko sa set para hindi na siya mabigla. So, yun ipinakita ko nga sa set, nakikikanta ako pag kumakanta siya, pag nagkakantahan lahat.”
Jasmine said that she and David, as with the other cast members, promised to keep in touch with each other after he flies back to the US.
Asked to share more of her thoughts about David, she said, “He's the greatest person I know from the international scene, basically because he's grounded.
“He loves his family. From the short time that we've been together, naramdaman ko how much he would give for his family, for his mom especially.”
“Nandito Ako” will premiere on TV5 primetime on Feb. 20 after “Wil Time Bigtime.” Directed by Mac Alejandre, it tells the story of young love, its joys and pains, among Josh (David), Holly (Eula Caballero) and Anya (Jasmine).
According to a release, Josh is an international singer who holds his final leg of concerts in the Philippines. This venture is also a quest to find his real identity. He meets Holly through one of the promotional activities of his concert and soon, romance brews between them. However, he meets Anya, Holly’s best friend, and that’s when things become complicated.
Others in the cast of “Nandito Ako” are Gelli de Belen, Aiko Melendez, G Tongi, Alwyn Uytingco, Ana Capri, Mon Confiado, Ana Feleo, Joseph Bitangcol, RS Francisco, David Bianco, Byron Ortile, and Perla Bautista.