Or maybe I haven’t read the papers lately. I was busy saving the world.

Now, that Skechers-sponsored billboard of David Cook on top of one of those steel buildings in Edsa contained little to no details of the concert. Just May 16. No mentions of the venue, time and place. Weird.

But for your benefit here are the concert and ticket details from the Ticketworld:

Date: May 16, 2009
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds

TITANIUM:
PhP 12,425.00

PLATINUM:
PhP 6,215.00

VIP:
PhP 3,625.00

GOLD:
PhP 2,075.00

SILVER:
PhP 625.00

BRONZE:
Php 315.00

Archuleta and Cook

The rumored January 27 concert of David Cook came to pass like the Y2K apocalypse that wrought no damage except on some freaks’ credibility and ability to read the future. (Well, who can?) Now, local AI fans started the new year with disappointment. Who wouldn’t be when the American Idol of Season 7 himself confirmed it over a radio station last year? But, of course, the artist really had nothing to do with the change of heart. It’s the producer’s prerogative. Whoever it was, well, better luck next time.

An officemate told me that actor Jomari Yllana’s production outfit called Fearless is bringing in American Idol’s two Davids, Cook and Archuleta, in a concert this summer at the SM Mall of Asia. It is scheduled on the 2nd week of May. Hmm. If that’s the case, BETTER SELL TICKETS NOW!!!

By the way, we had dinner the other night at Salt & Pepper. It’s a resto along EDSA, Greenhills (near Annapolis) owned by a discount furniture company. Try their kebabs. It’s yummy.

Twenty-five-year-old David Cook from Blue Springs, Missouri may only have choir background and a couple of band gigs in his resume but his amazing creativity and cool style won him 56 percent of record smashing 97.5 million votes in America. That’s 12 million strong over teen balladeer David Archuleta.

Cook, whose creative and powerful versions of Billy Jean and Hello become the hottest downloaded tunes in the planet, broke down to tears last night after Simon Cowell put him down three times in favor of Archuleta.

Cowell’s remarks would have sealed Archuleta’s fate with the crown but it only gave people reason to rally behind Cook. The world reknown speed-dialing power of hyperactive teens and encouragement from their aging grandmothers could not beat America’s love for an underdog.

Archuleta is an extremely talented singer for his age but his youthful shyness may have turned off mature crowds who gave their hearts and votes to a more stable and confident performer in the likes Cook. But days prior to the finals showed it could be anybody’s game. Both guys have always been winners.

Now let me go back to fixing my patch panels.

Now, that’s tricky. Who is it going to be? Is it Mr Cook or teen Archuleta?

I never had an accurate American Idol prediction all my life. I had my heart powdered to dust when Constantine lost in Season 4, Chris Daughtry in Season 5 and Melinda Doolittle in Season 6. But this year I got it all right(!). Two Davids ended up sharing the stage. Whoever wins the heart of America gets to wear the crown. Should I say “gosh”?

Whatever happens, both guys already have their sterling careers mapped out for them. Cook and Archuleta have carved their names in the history. Networks of fans rally behind them like HDMI switches routing differences towards a single direction. No one is going to lose. The only thing that would separate them is the title. It’s nothing but just a ticket to get started. Chris Daughtry never had it but look where the journey took him.

I’m rooting for David Cook but I really do think it’s going to be David Archuleta.