Jessica is coming back for Valentine concert Feb. 14

MANILA, Philippines - She came, she sang, she conquered — and was herself “conquered” by the beauty, generosity and hospitality of the native land she was visiting for the first time.

Before Jessica Sanchez left, she promised, echoing the famous and well-loved American general, “I shall return!”

Five months after that unforgettable musical milestone, Jessica is coming back for another headline-making show that will spotlight her in her highly-awaited solo concert on Feb. 14, 2013, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

According to Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions, his group is bringing back the 17-year-old singing sensation as a special Valentine treat and in response to the insistent clamor of fans who wish to see more of her as she performs live with her amazing vocal power and exquisite style that won her second place on Season 11 of the American Idol (AI) reality singing competition and made her an international star.

To be featured as a special guest in the Valentine concert is Jessica’s fellow AI Top 10 finalist Colton Dixon, who has earned some degree of popularity himself here, especially among female fans.

The one-night musical event will reunite Jessica with Pinoy music enthusiasts after the American Idol Live Tour 2012 concert last Sept. 21, where she performed with the other AI Top 10 finalists to a sold-out audience at the Big Dome.

The show is likewise expected to revive the “Jessica Sanchez fever” that has been generated by her stunning performance on AI and later by her first live appearance here. While here, she was enlisted as endorser of some products, including Bench and Jollibee.

Also contributing to the popular attention and interest surrounding the vocal powerhouse are her Filipino roots, her mother being a native of Samal, Bataan, before she moved to the US and settled with her Mexican-American husband and her family.

Since her AI stint, Jessica has been engaged in a flurry of activities during a whirlwind year that kicked off with a 45-day US tour with her fellow AI Top 10 finalists.

She has also been working on her debut album for 19 Recordings/Interscope Records, which is due for release in spring 2013. Her studio recording sessions were interrupted only when she took a break last summer to perform a rousing, choir-backed rendition of Marvin Gaye’s All I Need To Get By at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

She is also primed to join the cast for the fourth season of the hit musical-comedy series, Glee. Recently, she performed at a Trevor Live 2012! benefit event in Los Angeles, along with Glee actors Darren Criss, Naya Rivera, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch and Kevin McHale.

(The Valentine concert of Jessica Sanchez on Feb. 14, 2013, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is produced by Ovation Productions. For more information, log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph or call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)

Santiagos host dinner for 5 honorees

Dan Santiago and his wife Lina hosted a dinner for five honorees at their Makati home last Dec. 6 — namely the late FPJ, former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada, National Artist Eddie Romero, Anita Linda and STAR columnist/art patron Danny Dolor.

Dan’s sister Digna, who was the co-host, told Funfare Update that the recognition was long overdue.

FPJ, who was represented by his widow Susan Roces, and Anita Linda (who is vacationing in the US with her son Fred) started their careers at the Santiagos’ Premiere Productions and People’s Pictures; while Erap was launched by Larry Santiago Productions owned by the Santiagos’ cousins. Being honored for establishing the MOWELFUND, Erap starred in such Premiere films as Batang Angustia and Barilan sa Pugad Lawin.

Anita starred in Premiere classics like Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo and Sisa for which Best Picture and Best Actress for her at the Maria Clara Awards sponsored by the Manila Times. Both films were directed by National Artist Gerry “Manong” de Leon.

Eddie directed such Premiere classics as Day of the Trumpet, The NBI Story, Pitong Gabi sa Paris and Huling Mandirigma; while Danny was being honored for tirelessly preserving the legacy of Philippine Cinema, partly through his weekly column Remember When? in The STAR.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)