Jessica Sanchez joins New Year's Eve show in PH

American Idol" finalist Jessica Sanchez, who was just in the Philippines weeks ago, is now feeling the excitement over her New Year's Eve concert in Manila.

Sanchez is set to returned to Manila to perform at Eastwood City on December 31.

"Just finalized set list for New Year's Eve performance at Eastwood City in Manila! I'm soooo excited!," Sanchez tweeted.

Joining her in the "New Year Countdown to 2014" are Bamboo, "The Voice of the Philippines" grand winner Mitoy Yonting, South Border, UP Dharma Down and DJ Ace Ramos.

Jessica Sanchez is Frida Romero on 'Glee'

Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez will be playing the role of Frida Romero, a legendary singer from a rival high school, in two-episode arc in the American musical TV series "Glee."

This was according to Sanchez herself, who also announced on Twitter on Sunday that she’s “getting ready" for "Glee."

Frida Romero is reportedly the lead vocalist of glee club Hoosierdaddies from Indianapolis, which will be up against New Directions in the show’s regionals competition.

According to reports, Sanchez will be singing “Clarity” by DJ Zedd for the musical shows’s season finale.

This comes after Sanchez tweeted the lyrics of the song which went: “If our love is tragedy why are you my remedy.”

Contrary to earlier reports, Sanchez will be appearing on the show on its April 25 and May 9 episodes.

In a past interview the Manila Bulletin, “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy said he would have wanted Sanchez to be in every episode of “Glee” this year, only that it was not possible because of the singer’s prior commitments.

“Well, when you have a voice like that, we wanted her to be in every episode this year. But she couldn’t because of the tour. She is doing an album so we worked it out that she will probably do two or three episodes so that will probably be 16, 17, 18 when we get into the regionals competition,” he had said.

“I would imagine she is going to be the big voice star of another competing choir who gives them a run for their money,” Murphy had added.

Jessica excited for new Fil-Am hopefuls on 'Idol'

MANILA, Philippines –  Almost a year after her “American Idol” stint, 17-year old Jessica Sanchez is thrilled to see more Filipino-American hopefuls in the newest season of the hit American show.

“I'm excited. I haven't been really keeping up with the show lately because I’ve been getting ready for my concert this Valentine’s Day and I’ve been practicing. But I’ll definitely be catching up. I know that there are some Filipino-Americans on the show. I was one of those people and it's so great because I made it far and I'm excited for them,” she said.

Earlier reports said Adriana Latonio, Jett Hermano and Bryant Tadeo, all Filipino-Americans, have made it to the show’s Top 40.

Sanchez said she will also be returning on the “Idol” stage “very very soon” to perform her single during one of its live shows.

'Jump into your dreams'

During a press conference held in Quezon City on Monday, Sanchez said singing has always been her dream and even when she got bullied when she was younger, she persisted.

“When I was younger, I got picked on a lot at school. It has always been my dream to become a singer and I didn't let anybody put me down. I got bullied a lot and people picked on the fact that I sing and I'm not good enough. I don't care what you say, this is what I want to do,” she said.

Citing her experience in "Idol," Sanchez said this should also be how younger girls look at life.

"I'm just jumping into opportunities that come to my life and all I can say to the younger generation is just jump in and do what you have to do. You have flaws. You have mistakes and things are going to happen sometimes. But just be you," she said.

Sanchez said she is really working hard to put the Philippines on the map so Filipinos would be known worldwide.

“It’s really difficult for biracial people to get on the radio in the States. I’m very proud to be part Filipino and I want to be one of those artists that puts the Philippines on the map like Bruno Mars,” she said.

Sanchez is currently in the Philippines to stage her debut concert which will happen at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Valentine’s Day.

She will be joined in by “American Idol” Season 11 seventh placer Colton Dixon.

Jessica Sanchez, apl.de.ap debut 'Jump In' music video

MANILA, Philippines – Two internationally renowned "proud Pinoy" performers have come together in one music video, inviting fellow Filipinos to "jump into life."

A music video featuring "American Idol" runner-up Jessica Sanchez and Black Eyed Peas rapper apl.de.ap has debuted online. Titled "Jump In," the video was released online Saturday afternoon on video-sharing site YouTube.

Directed by Canadian music video director Marc André Debruyne, "Jump In" also features cast members who appear Filipino. Notably, in a number of frames, a shot of a mobile phone screen with a "Smart" signal is seen.

Smart is a Philippine telecommunications company.

Born in the United States, Sanchez is of Filipino and Mexican descent. Rapper apl.de.ap, meanwhile, was born in Pampanga before moving to the United States, where he started his international career with the Black Eyed Peas.

Sanchez, who recently earned a role in the hit TV musical "Glee," was in the Philippines last month for the concert tour of the 11th season of "Idol," as well as for her endorsement deals with clothing line Bench and fastfood brand Jollibee.

Hectic ‘homecoming’ for Jessica Sanchez

JESSICA Sanchez was the best singer on “American Idol, Season 11.” When it comes to shining in press cons, however, Jessica is still a tyro. When “AI’s” Top 10 met the press at the Manila Hotel to promote their recent concert at the Araneta Coliseum, she spoke confidently for a 17-year-old, but her replies were full of generalities and motherhood statements.

I asked her what it was like performing at the Democratic National Convention, where former president Bill Clinton was present. She said she was shivering, and that was all she could say. She said she wasn’t disappointed when she got the lowest number of votes during the Top 7 competition and would have been glad to go home. She was surprised when the judges came onstage to save her from elimination. Again, more generalities and few details.

In time, she should be able to learn to give more details, relate anecdotes about events, and even crack jokes. I did get some interesting trivia from her: She’s not a fan of Mexican cuisine, because her mom only serves Filipino food at home. I guess her dad, who’s Mexican, doesn’t cook. Her favorite Pinoy dish is sinigang na baboy. She only knows one Filipino song, “Ikaw.”

I asked her about her coach, who got a car during the finale. She said she didn’t have a coach—she called him his mentor. She clarified that it was her mom who had helped her with her singing. So, I asked if her mom was a singer. She replied in the negative, but said she was the one who really drove her to succeed.

Although she’s staying one week longer than the other Idols, Jessica says she’ll have too little down time to visit her hometown in Bataan.

Endorsements
What will keep her busy after the concert? Just like the other Pinoy Idols before her, Jessica was able to bag some endorsements from local companies. She’s doing an ad for Bench, and there’s talk that Jollibee has signed her up. (She is, however, mum on this matter.)

Asked about published stories that she might be doing “Miss Saigon,” she replied that there’s been no formal offer. She has seen the musical and would like to audition if given the chance. She’s appeared in high school plays in Chula Vista, California, but she hasn’t done any musicals. She also admitted that there are on-going talks about her doing solo concerts in the country.

Mom says Jessica Sanchez proud to be Filipino

MANILA. Philippines -- Editha Sanchez, the mother of "American Idol" runner-up Jessica Sanchez, came to the defense of her daughter, saying the young singer considers herself a Filipino.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Tuesday, Editha said Jessica actually grew up closer to her Filipino relatives.

"I'm Filipino, she's half Filipino, half Mexican. But she's closer to my family than she is with her dad's family. She's growing up in more of a Filipino culture than a Mexican culture. She's proud to be Filipino and I'm proud about that," she said.

Editha also commented on the remarks made by Charice's manager Courtney Blooding on Twitter last week where she raised her doubts about Sanchez being "part of Filipino pride."
"Oh my gosh! I think, to me, it's unfortunate that it's negative. But it's awesome that it's Charice. She's amazing and Jessica thinks she's amazing," she said.

Editha said Jessica actually feels honored that she is being compared to another international singing sensation.

"It is a privilege to be compared to Charice Pempengco. It is unfortunate that what's coming out is a little negative but it's awesome because we look up to Charice, we know about her. She's a great singer. You don't find a lot of singers like that," she said.

Editha said Jessica thinks Charice's voice is phenomenal and to be compared to her is an honor.

Overwhelming reception

Meanwhile, Editha shared that she and Jessica still get overwhelmed by everything that's happening to her right now.

"It still hasn't hit me yet. I'm just taking it day by day. There's so much that has happened, when I think about it, it's just crazy. I feel blessed and I'm so proud of her. She's done so much at a young age and she's worked so hard," she said.

While she knew that her daughter would have a singing career someday, Editha said she wasn't prepared for something this huge.

"Jessica is my daughter. I've always known that she's gonna do music, this is gonna be her career, but I didn't know that it's gonna be like this. I wasn't prepared for this basically," she said.

According to Editha, they never had the chance to bond as a family since " American Idol" started.
"We've been living in hotels since January. Being with the boys, with my husband, we haven't done that since December. It's just crazy," she said.

She and Jessica, however, are hoping they could spend time together soon when they go back in San Diego.

Jessica will be staying in the Philippines for a few more days but she vowed that she will be coming back next year.

American Idol finalists, excited matikman ang Pinoy foods, mag-shopping

Masaya ang American Idol Season 11 finalists – na kinabibilangan ng dugong Pinoy na si Jessica Sanchez – sa mainit na pagtanggap sa kanila ng mga Pinoy fans nang dumating sila bansa para sa kanilang concert sa Smart Araneta Coliseum sa Biyernes.

Sa press conference na ginanap sa Manila Hotel nitong Martes, ipinaabot ni Elise Testone ang lubos nitong pasasalamat sa mga Filipino fans. Ito’y dahil sa wala umanong sawang pagsuporta sa kanila mula pa nang magsimula ang kanilang season sa naturang sikat na singing contest sa US.

Masaya ring ipinaalam ng AI finalists na gusto nilang matikman ang lutong Filipino.

Ayon kay Jessica, gusto na niyang makatikim ng "home cut" Filipino meal. Bukod dito, excited din ang AI runner-up na mapag-aralan ang kulturang Filipino.

Si Hollie Cavanaugh, gusto raw niyang mag-shopping sa bansa kasama si Jessica.

American Idol Season 12

Excited naman ang AI finalists sa mga bagong judges ng sikat na singing contest.

Matapos mawala sina Jennifer Lopez at Steven Tyler, makakasama na ni Randy Jackson sa bagong season ng AI sina Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, at Mariah Carey.

Ayon kay Skylar Laine, excited siya dahil ito ang unang pagkakataon na magkakaroon ng country performer bilang judge.

Samantala, "just be yourself" ang simple pero mahalagang payo ng Top 3 na sina Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez, at Joshua Ledet sa mga nagnanais sumali ng AI.

Dagdag ni Phillip, kailangan din maging masaya ang kalahok sa kanyang ginagawa para magtagumpay ito sa kakerang gustong tahakin.

Kasama nina Jessica, Phillip, Skylar, Joshua at Hollie na na magtatanghal sa Biyernes sina Erika Van Pelt, Heejun Han, Deandre Brackensick, at Colton Dixon.

Jessica Sanchez performs at Democratic National Convention

MANILA, Philippines – “American Idol” runner up Jessica Sanchez got the crowd to its feet as she performed at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday
(Thursday in Manila).

The 17-year-old Filipino-Mexican-American singer sang the Motown classic “You're All I Need To Get By” along with the God’s Appointed People Choir.
In her official Twitter account, Sanchez said it was an honor that she was tapped to be part of the political event.

“Thank you so much for having me @demconvention. It was an honor to perform tonight,” she said.
Sanchez also posted a photo of her with the choir.

Last week, Sanchez said she may be too young to vote but she’s looking forward to showing her support for U.S. President Barack Obama.

“I might not be old enough to vote, but I'm so honored and excited to perform at @BarackObama's big party in Charlotte next week! #DNC2012,” she tweeted.

Aside from Sanchez, mixmaster DJ Cassidy and American saxophonist Branford Marsalis were also set to perform at the DNC.