Crying out for Jessica

Sanchez’s mother Editha Bugay is a Filipino married to Mexican-American Gilbert Sanchez, a member of the US Navy.

From the very first heats of the show, the two seem destined to go through to the end. Before an estimated audience of 7,000 at Nokia Theatre, Sanchez opened round one of her showdown with Phillips with a powerful rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.” Phillips followed with Ben E King’s “Stand By Me.” Two of the judges, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, declared Sanchez as the victor in round one.

In round two, after Sanchez’s rendition of Celine Dion’s “The Prayer” and Phillips’ take on Billy Joel’s “Moving Out,” Steven Tyler went for Sanchez, Lopez for Phillips and Jackson for both.

In the final round, the judges liked Sanchez’s performance but not the pop ballad “Change Nothing”. Phillips sang “Home” – a song that mixed the style of folk-rock band Mumford and Sons with Paul Simon and featured a marching band – which earned him the night’s only standing ovation from the three judges.

“That’s your best performance of the night. That was amazing,” said Jackson. “You were perfect tonight, and I think you are the man,” said Tyler.

Lopez, however, said the contest “was a tough one. It’s like a battle of the opposites.”

The judges’ apparent endorsement of Phillips in the final round may have challenged more Filipino Americans - Fil-Ams as they are known colloquially – to vote for Sanchez and to more aggressively encourage families and friends to cast their votes.

On Wednesday, Facebook was abuzz with status updates urging friends to vote for the small girl with a powerful voice from Chula Vista, California.

Fil-Ams hosted voting parties in their homes and the social or meeting rooms of their condominiums and apartments.

With a father who is Latino, Sanchez also drew support from the Mexican-American community. Many pundits predicted that what was going against Sanchez was the “WGWG” (White Guy With Guitar) syndrome, which saw the triumph of contestants like Scotty McCreery, Lee DeWyze, Kris Allen and David Cook in recent years.

After the showdown, Sanchez and Phillips appeared chummy backstage as they fielded questions from the media.

Sanchez, usually composed onstage when she sings, appeared the teenager that she is. “I feel like we are just having fun right now – win or lose,” she said.

Asked to clarify that statement, Sanchez answered, “Of course we want to win. Nobody has gone this far for a 16-year-old.”

She described her rival “as goofy and funny” but “an amazing artist.”

She gave this message to her Filipino supporters: “I love you. Thank you for your support!”

On the eve of the “Idol” season finale, townmates of Sanchez’s mother in Samal, Bataan, were beaming with excitement and were hoping that talent, not ethnicity, would be the deciding factor in the popular singing competition in the United States.

“We’re already in the 21st century. What matters is that you have talent. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Oriental or black or Latino,” said Mayor Generosa dela Fuente.

Dela Fuente said while finalist Phillip Phillips is a good singer and has charisma, they believed Sanchez would be named the next “Idol.”

“The girls love [Phillip] but Jessica is more versatile. She can sing anything. She has the X factor,” she said.

Early Wednesday, young people initiated a street dancing activity followed by a prayer rally in Samal’s covered court at 8am. A motorcade also went around the towns of Orani, Samal and Abucay.

“We did this to invite the community to join us in watching the showdown of Jessica and Phillip in the finale. It was also done to show that there’s unity not just in Samal, but in the entire province of Bataan,” she said.

Dela Fuente said cable television provider Cignal sponsored the viewing of Wednesday’s performance episode and Thursday’s live finale.

Before Samal shot to the nation’s consciousness because of Sanchez’s “Idol” stint, Dela Fuente said the town was a “hotbed of insurgency” in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

“But slowly, reforms were made, and this has continued to this day. Our constituents are slowly trusting the government again. We’re seeing the light of progress,” she said.

Dela Fuente said Sanchez’s inclusion in the competition’s finals had brought Samaleños together and inspired them to unite.

Dela Fuente said Bataan mayors would invite Sanchez to visit the province after her “Idol” stint. “Samaleños are clamouring for her to come home… It’s going to be a red carpet event,” she said.

“But whatever happens, Jessica is already a winner. Nothing will change. If she comes here, she’ll be welcomed with a huge homecoming,” Dela Fuente added.