halfwhiteboy

American Idol Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez is here in the Philippines for a Valentine's Day concert. As youth ambassador for Smart Communications, she's also been doing the rounds of meet-and-greet events, press conferences, and even a storytelling session with public school kids for Read to be Smart yesterday. She also dropped by our office this morning, and I got a chance to chat with her. Jessica Sanchez answering questions at our office lobby. Me: Hi, Jessica! Jessica: Hi! M: Am I talking to Jessica Sanchez right now or is it Bebe Chez? J: (laughs) It's Jessica. I'm feeling kinda shy right now. M: Is that so? Hey, can you ask Bebe Chez if she knows BB Gandanghari? J: Who? M: Oh, never mind. Anyway, it's your second time in the Philippines, post-AI at least.

Yes, I do still have a hangover from American Idol's Season 11 finale. Lots of both great and so-so moments but altogether, it was one helluva show. Yes, Philip Philips won but it's the epic duet of runner-up Jessica Sanchez and original Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday that I still can't get over with. Sure, Jessica already performed the song, "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" not too long ago but she was much, much better here. Arguably it's because she was sharing the stage with a monster of a performer in Jennifer -- over the top as over the top as it can be, complete with exaggerated facial expressions and incessant growling and screaming. I think she was able to feed on Jennifer's energy onstage and although there's no topping Jennifer, Jessica held her own. Watching the performance, which easily trumped the earlier screaming match between Fantasia and "Mantasia" Joshua Ledet, was all at once fun,  funny  and exhausting. I mean, s...

Let me get this out of way from the start: I'm not a Jessica Sanchez hater (although it's fun to play with the minds of Jessica die-hards). Am I a fan? A little, maybe. I first took note of Jessica during American Idol's Hollywood week and immediately thought she was a "Filipina." (I'm using quotation marks to emphasize the context in which the term is used by most Filipinos, which is to stake claim on someone with even the slightest ounce of Filipino blood in him/her who's enjoying some level of success or recognition outside the Philippines.) Broadly speaking, Jessica is half-Filipina, 1/4 Mexican, and 1/4 American ( God, she could sing all three national anthems in the next Pacquiao fight! ). At the end of the day, however, she is an American citizen, which is why she was able to join AI in the first place. And my guess is, she doesn't really consider herself a Filipina but an American although, of course, if you ask her now -- especially aft...

Lots of crazy stuff happening lately. Here's but a few of them: A Chinese news anchor blurted on TV that the Philippines belongs to China. Who knew? I must have slept through all my history classes. The website of the Philippine News Agency was hacked by the Chinese. Wow, I didn't even know they had a website! Chinese travel agencies have suspended travel packages to the Philippines. I didn't know travel packages are also subject to disciplinary action. Better behave. * * * * * * * * * * The impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona has just resumed last Monday. It's reality TV at its finest once again! The President struggled with a coughing fit during his speech at the opening ceremonies of the  Palarong Pambansa . Sorry, smoker's cough. [ Source ] * * * * * * * * * * Mexipino  contestant Jessica Sanchez got a standing ovation on American Idol today. The judges must have been tired of sitting already.

Just de-stressing here, reading stuff, then messing up with them. On American Idol: Jessica Sanchez is trending on Twitter as AI fans express support or hate. -  Sorry, but tweets won't save her. You gotta actually vote. Jessica Sanchez is trending on Twitter as AI fans express support or hate. - Uhm, but trending only in the Philippines where no one can vote for her). Now Pinoys are trying to use Magic Jacks to vote for Jessica Sanchez? - Unbelievable! Pinoy pride? Jessica Sanchez on American Idol.