People who not only sing but also produce music and lyrics have always been impressive to me. Remember I stan WINNER? But hey, there’s really no need to look further. Hailing from my own hometown, Cagayan de Oro City, is one spectacular musical talent and the name is David Mercado.
David’s career started with a hosting stint for Mindanao Pop Idol in 2006 – 2007, then a slot in the 179 successful nationwide auditionees of GMA’s Pinoy Idol of the American Idol Franchise in 2008. He was the last remaining Mindanaoan in the show before the formation of the Top 24. What eventful starting years!
And here’s more: for the 2009 World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California, David was one of the Filipino artists who passed the invite-only auditions, the roster including Oreo Vamenta and Rhap Salazar. But alas, he couldn’t proceed due to problems with his U.S. visa.
Fast forward to 10 years later, we have David re-auditioning for the 23rd WCOPA and YES, he passed once again! This time an official delegate, he flew to Long Beach, California on July 12 – 21, 2019 and returned with flying colors. With more than 70 countries in competition, David excelled and brought home numerous awards such as Triple Overall Division Champion and Multi-Gold Medalist, not to mention 3 division champion plaques, 4 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 2 bronze medals.
Since then, David has been the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board’s trusted delegate for many tourism events abroad. The 2019 Busan International Trade Fair in Busan, Korea, The 2019 Philippine Business Mission to North China, The ASEAN Travel Forum in Bruneiㅡ he was in all of them to serenade and perform.
As a Kdrama fangirl, I have to drop his beautiful cover of Beautiful here:
All these so far, and you just know he’s destined for great things. Evidently, with his compositions for Himig Handog in 2020, 2 of his were shortlisted into the Top 818 out of more than 2,000 entries. Furthermore, 1 of them titled Kahit Kunwari Man Lang was a Top 12 grand finalist! Kahit Kunwari Man Lang is interpreted by two of the Philippines’ biggest music artists, Agsunta and Moira dela Torre, and it. was. and. still. a. HIT. The song won the “Most Streamed Song Award” and it’s with over 10 million overall streams as of writing.
There’s really no stopping David. This year, he will release his 1st EP, Secrets Revealed! Comprising of 3 original songs + 1 bonus acoustic version of one of the tracks, the EP is produced by Swedish producer. Omkast. And to kickstart this reveal (*wink*), is the 1st track, Sweet Lips, which will come out this August 20. Sweet Lips is “about those who are two faced to us. They are nice when in front of us but they’re also those spreading lies and trying to bring us down.” Okay, that might’ve hit a nerve :P Anyhoo, a TikTok dance and contest will be launched for it as well, so August 20 is definitely a day to anticipate!
Follow David Mercado on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Sessions Live, so you don’t miss this sweet all-original album release.
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