Jessica Sanchez: Making Filipinos Proud

Ni Len Armea

Kuha ni Jovelyn Bajo

Hindi nangimi ang American Idol season 11 finalist at half-Filipino na si Jessica Sanchez na tanggapin ang pagkanta ng “Lead Me Home,” isang charity song na kasama sa “Heartbeat of Home” album, na para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong “Yolanda” sa Pilipinas.

“I was approached by the Riverdance Productions. They asked me to lay my vocals on one of their tracks and I was like ‘of course, it’s an amazing opportunity and I would love to’. Then we recorded the song and they wanted to release it early for the victims of the typhoon and I was completely all for it,” pahayag ni Jessica sa ginanap na presscon sa Sofitel Philippine Plaza na dinaluhan ng Pinoy Gazette.

“Everything has been amazing and I’m so glad to help the Filipino people any way that I can,” ani ng 18-taong-gulang na dalaga na half-Filipino at half-Mexican.

Ibibigay ni Jessica ang kikitain mula sa pagda-download ng kanyang kanta sa Philippine Red Cross para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo.

Bukod dito, pumunta rin si Jessica sa ilang lugar sa Pilipinas kabilang na ang Saranggani sa imbitasyon ni Manny Pacquiao upang mamigay ng hearing aid katulong ang Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Namangha rin si Jessica sa ganda ng Pilipinas at sa mainit na pagtanggap sa kanya ng mga tao.

“It’s been, honestly, amazing. We’ve been driving around in these buses and I look at the country and it’s so green and so beautiful and on top of that the people are so welcoming and so kind. I think the Philippines is just so amazing.”

Inamin din ni Jessica na kinabahan siya sa pagkanta ng “Lupang Hinirang” sa laban ni Manny Pacquiao at Brandon Rios sa Macau kamakailan.

“I had probably a couple of days, like two to three days, to learn the song. It was hard and it’s like there’s a weight on my shoulders because I know how proud you guys are about singing the anthem traditionally. It kinda stressed me out a little bit but I was happy that everybody was okay with how I sang it. And I hope I made you guys proud,” dagdag pa ng singer.

Inamin ni Jessica na patuloy siyang magsusumikap sa kanyang karera dahil alam niya na maraming mga Pilipino ang sumusuporta sa kanya at nais niya na ipagmalaki siya ng mga ito.

“I told myself, at the age of 10, that this is what I love to do and I have a lot of eyes watching me, especially now having the Philippines look at me like I’m an inspiration. I feel honored actually, more than responsible for anything.

“I’m happy to be here for the charity, to inspire the youth and others to go out there and help others so I’m happy to be a part of the Filipino culture.”

Aniya, kung mayroon man isang katangiang Pilipino na gusto at ipinagmamalaki niya, ito ay ang pagmamahal sa pamilya.

“I love being with my family – when I move, my family moves – and I think that’s how Filipinos are. We love to be together and I’m proud to have that trait.”

Naglabas na rin ang dalaga ng kanyang album na pinamagatang “Me, You, and the Music” nitong Mayo sa ilalim ng MCA Records.

“You’ve been really amazing and I can’t thank you enough. My kababayans, I love you so much,” aniya.