David Cook ready to face Lambert, Allen but…

MANILA, Philippines - Given the chance, past "American Idol" winner David Cook said he would have no trouble battling it out with either Adam Lambert or Kris Allen since there is only one person he truly fears on the "Idol" stage. "[I could face] either one of them because I still have to deal with Simon [Cowell]," Cook said in an interview on Philippine noontime show, Eat Bulaga on Friday. Cook had converted Cowell from a staunch critic into an adulating fan and friend, after wowing the acerbic Idol judge every week with his performance last year. "Simon is still my favorite judge. If I get Simon to say something good, then I know I’ve done something right," Cook said in a separate radio interview. [See: Simon Cowell won’t be David Cook’s best man] Lambert and Allen were the two left standing in the 8th season of "American Idol" after judges’ favorite Danny Gokey got eliminated on Wednesday (US time). Lambert has been seen as the front-runner of this year’s Idol competition, with Cowell even urging Americans to vote for the Broadway actor, turned flamboyant rocker, based on sheer talent. Cook, who performed on the "Idol" stage last month to promote his latest single, “Come Back To Me," had often been compared to Lambert after the latter’s risky song choice and original musical arrangements. Cook is visiting Manila for a one-night only concert with fellow "Idol" alum David Archuleta on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia. In his first TV show appearance in Manila, Cook was ecstatic over the warm reception he received from Filipino fans. He sang his "Idol" rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby" to the enjoyment of the huge Filipino crowd that trooped Broadway Centrum in Quezon City. "Back home, ’Always Be My Baby’ isn’t a huge deal, but we’re arranging it here [for the concert]," Cook said. - Mark Joseph Ubalde, GMANews.TV