Archuleta Making TV Acting Debut in the Philippines…

He’s announced plans to take a two-year break from music to complete a Mormon mission… But, David Archuleta isn’t quitting his work in the entertainment field just yet.

The 20-year-old half-Spanish/half-Honduran American singer has arrived in Pacific Asia to begin shooting a television mini-series in the Philippines.

David Archuleta

The American Idol season 7 runner-up, who is taking his stab at acting, was welcomed with flower garlands at the Manila airport by his Filipino co-stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Eula Caballero on Friday. Together, they’ll shoot the TV5 mini-series Nandito Ako over the course of a few weeks.

“Landed safely! Hellooo Manila!!!” Archie tweeted upon arrival. “And thanks for the warm welcome!!”

The singer added that fans can follow his new adventure on FollowArchuleta.ph, where several local video clips have already been posted. The project will be Archuleta’s first television acting gig.

Before heading to Manila, Archuleta said in his video blog: “I’m nervous, but also really excited to try this new experience. I’ll be doing a mini-series for TV5 and will be filming in the Philippines for the next few weeks.”

Archuleta made headlines last month after announcing that he’d be taking a hiatus from music to embark on a two-year Mormon mission.

“It’s not because someone told me I was supposed to do it and not because I no longer want to do music anymore,” said Archuleta during a tour stop in Salt Lake City “It’s because it’s what I feel I need to do next in my life.”