Patriotism can take many forms. One of which we Filipinos demonstrated when we crossed boundaries to aid our compatriot Jessica Sanchez in her bid to win in the “American Idol” talent show program in Hollywood, California.
In times when it is most needed, Filipinos could be the most united people on earth if we really put our hearts and minds together.
Thanks to the information highway that we enjoy now in the Philippines, we have found a way to participate in the online and mobile phone voting of this highly popular reality TV singing contest show in Hollywood. It made it easy for us to help Jessica pursue her so-called “American Dream” in this online/text vote-driven singing competition.
In fact, AI host Ryan Seacrest announced that they received over 90 million votes after the performance show last week when the top 3 contestants sang three songs each. If I’m not mistaken, it is the highest vote turnout so far since the AI started.
It is also a good thing that we have cable TV that has enabled us to follow Jessica’s journey in the “American Idol” until she reached the finals of the singing competition that ends this week. We are able to watch it here at Star World Channel on cable. It is aired by Etc. Channel (RPN-9) for those who have no cable TV subscription.
Described as a Filipino-Mexican-American, the 16-year-old Jessica has a Filipina mother while her father Gilbert is Mexican-American. During the AI audition held in San Diego, on board de-commissioned battleship Midway, Jennifer Lopez, one of the three AI judges, asked Jessica if she is Chinese, to which she giggled in response: “No, I am Filipino-Mexican.”
According to her AI profile, Jessica was born in Chula Vista, California on August 4, 1995 and grew up there along with two younger brothers. Wikipedia says Jessica’s maternal grandfather, Eddie Bugay, is a retired US Navy sailor. Inspired by her Roman Catholic grandmother, Jessica reportedly carries a rosary everywhere and prays quietly before going on stage.
Her mother Editha Bugay hails from Samal, Bataan and migrated to the US. That is why we saw on TV many of her relatives and town mates in Samal cheering for her while watching the performance night and results show the next day. Courtesy of PLDT/Smart and Cignal, Samal folks enjoyed free public viewing of AI’s delayed telecast on a large TV screen put up at the town hall area.
Jessica’s father, on the other hand, is a US Navy veteran who fought in the Iraq War, served in Afghanistan and is expected to be deployed soon to Singapore. This Jessica revealed before she sang Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father” that earned her rave reviews from Lopez and fellow AI judges Randy Jackson and Steve Tyler.
Jessica would establish many firsts in the long-running TV reality series “American Idol” should she prevail over her rival, Philip Philipps for the coveted title. One of her fans, Edwin Suba, posted on the young singer’s official Facebook page:_”Jessica will make history if she wins. Three reasons: (1) First Asian winner (2) Youngest winner at 16 (3) First saved contestant to win the title. LET’S MAKE HISTORY PEOPLE!”
It was a hard-earned struggle for Sanchez at the AI. In fact, she almost got eliminated from the show during the stage of the competition when they were down to seven finalists. It led to one of the most dramatic judges’ saves in AI.
The three judges walked up onto the stage. An indignant Jennifer grabbed the microphone from Jessica who was singing the traditional swan song for those who get eliminated. Jennifer and Randy, one after the other, scolded America for not voting for such great talent like Jessica.
With such drama, no wonder that AI remains one of the most watched reality TV shows in the US. On hindsight, Jessica’s landing at the bottom three for the first time coincided with the Holy Week period during that particular episode. Filipinos and Mexicans are devout Catholics and perhaps, Jessica’s fans were kept out from text and online voting as part of their abstinence during Lent.
Jessica’s having reached the finale of “American Idol” Season 11 is already a feat in itself. This is the highest attained by a contestant with Filipino descent on this singing contest. Fellow Filipino-Am Jasmine Trias made it to the top three of AI’s Season 3, while Ramiele Malubay, another Fil-Am, placed ninth in AI Season 7. It was during AI Season 3 where Jasmine competed when my sons got me hooked into following AI from then on.
The most recent of course was Thia Megia who finished in the top 11 of AI season last year. Thia, whose parents hail from Angeles City, Pampanga had a homecoming when she and other AI Season 10 winners held a concert tour in Manila last year.
Aside from consistent praises from the three AI judges, Jessica got much guidance from AI in-house mentor, record producer Jimmy Iovine who is much impressed with her technical mastery.
In last week’s performance night, Jessica sang Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing,” and Tyler, the rock band’s lead singer, told her “you just took a great song and made it greater.” And Iovine remarked it was worthy of singing at the Grammys, America’s premier award-giving body for outstanding singers and musicians.
The finale will consist of a two-hour performance episode this Thursday (Manila time), followed by a results episode the next day. Our own world boxing champion, Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao, who is currently training for his next title match, was quoted saying he will be at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles – the big stage venue for the AI finals – to cheer for Jessica.
The AI winner, among other prizes, will receive a recording contract. Rapper and AI “guest mentor” Akon remarked during one of the practice sessions that he wanted Jessica eliminated from the competition so he could sign her up to a contract pronto.
For Jessica to win next week’s AI’s title, Iovine gave this advice: “It’s about the songs.”
But for us Filipinos, it’ the singer, not the song, Jimmy. And the singer happens to be a Filipina by blood. While she may be an American-Mexican, she is also carrying, if not raising the Philippine flag for all of us.