Saving Jessica Sanchez

That was some scene in the American Idol’s episode last week.

For the first time, Fil-Mexican Jessica Sanchez was in the bottom three together with Joshua Ledet and Elise Testone. When Ryan Seacrest announced that Jessica had been voted out, the judges – Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler were flabbergasted. The three walked onstage and over to Jessica.

“We are saving Jessica," Randy declared. "This girl is one of the best singers in America. Are you kidding me? Everybody please vote for the best!"

Even guest mentor Jimmy Iovine was shocked that the 16-year-old Jessica was voted out. "I'm gonna get a new flat-screen — I'm not sure mine's working," he said. Jimmy had predicted the bottom three to be Elise Testone, Phillip Phillips and Hollie Cavanagh.

Saving Jessica means two of the seven remaining finalists will be eliminated this week. And the judges have no more chances to rescue any of them.

The judges’ decision to keep Jessica in the competition has stirred a spirited online debate. 

There were those who praised JLo, Randy and Steven, while others raked them over coals. Here’s a sampling of the comments on the AI Insider:

“I think is it very stupid to vote off the one person on the show thats the best this year. Jessica has never been in the bottom three all season and America voted her off, that is very dumb. There are worse ones than her on the show. I'm glad the judges used their save.”

“Shame on you judges.....for making the statement that Jessica was the best singer in America....sorry, but she isn't....all of the contestants need to be given respect and for all the judges to run up stage and take the microphone out of Jessica's hand and state 'your not going anywhere'...please....you just said right there and then that this is the girl you want to win.”

“America stop the descrimination!!! Because she is half Filipina it means that she don't deserve to win?? C'mon!! It's about the voice not the looks and Randy is right!! She is the best singer in America!! it's Jessica vs. Joshua in the finals!!”

“I was shocked when Jessica ended up in the bottom three. Part of the problem with the voting is teenage girls voting with their hormones and not common sense. All 7 of the contestants on the show have incredible voices, and I love all of them but I think Jessica has the best voice.”

“I think Randy, Jennifer and Steven should keep their opinions to themselves. They are not there to tell America how to vote. Jessica is good -- fair enough, but for the judges to run on stage and make a spectacle of themselves is unbelievable. Steven had already said that none of the three were going home so why the big promotion.”

Is racism a big influence in the voting? There are some who believe it does. If this is true, then American Idol's vision as the producer of true singing talent is compromised.

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The coronation night of this year’s Bb. Pilipinas titleholders has no doubt drawn more than the usual attention it gets. That’s because Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc., has said it “respects” the decision of the Miss Universe Organization to accept transgenders as contestants.

The Bb. Pilipinas Universe winner traditionally represents the country in the international pageant.

Not a few celebrities have voiced their opposition to opening the Miss Universe pageant to men who have crossed the gender divide and now consider themselves as women.

One of them is 1999 Miss Universe first runner-up Miriam Quiambao, who said it “sends a wrong message. Whatever happened to the essence of a woman?”

“I’m not judging gays/transgenders. I love them anyway, but Miss Universe should be for natural born women only,’’ Miriam added.