An online date with Jessica Sanchez

Jessica Sanchez

While most people were stuck at home because of the rain, Jessica Sanchez’s hardcore fans were getting up close and personal with their Fil-Am idol, thanks to the miracle of modern technology.

BluJays braved the ugly weather and flocked to the SM Megamall Event Center (the former ice skating rink area) last month for a special Skype session with the “American Idol” season 11 runner-up, courtesy of MCA Music and Astroplus.

The public event started as early as 10 a.m. and included games and a guest performance by “Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart” Sabrina. Copies of Jessica’s “American Idol Season 11 Highlights” album were also sold onsite; the compilation contains some of her most memorable performances in the season, notably covers of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams,” Jazmine Sullivan’s “Stuttering,” her duet with Joshua Ledet entitled “I Knew You Were Waiting For Me,” and her song for the finale, “Change Nothing.”

Typical teen

At around 1 p.m. Manila time (10 p.m. LA time), Jessica appeared on the screen, with tousled hair and a sweet smile on her face. Devoid of makeup, she looked much like any typical Filipina teen and not the dolled-up vocal powerhouse that TV viewers were used to seeing her as. But that didn’t really help allay the fans’ nerves as they professed their love and stuttered through their pre-approved questions.

The session lasted all of 10 minutes, but as far as fans were concerned, it was a good 10 minutes spent. Before signing off, Jessica was treated to a surprise gift—the audience sang “Maligayang Bati” twice, complete with a birthday cake, to celebrate her 17th birthday (Aug. 4).

“You’re the best family … You’re amazing and I couldn’t ask for better people to be there for me. I love you guys so much, thank you!” said a teary-eyed Jessica.

Here are some excerpts from the video chat.

On what would make her give up music:

Nothing, nothing! I would never quit music. Music is my dream and my life, and it’s always been there … I mean, there’s nothing in the world that could separate me and music.

On what she’s looking forward to the most in her Philippine visit:

Seeing all of you guys! That’s the one thing I’m looking forward to … I’ve been planning on going to the Philippines because that’s my heritage and my culture, but the main thing is seeing all of you guys. You’re there, watching on the computer and… you guys have supported me throughout everything, so I just wanna hug every single one of you guys.

On what fans can expect from the concert in September:

It’s really going to be a lot of fun. During the show, we were all competing with each other and singing serious power ballad songs, and now we’re just coming out and having a fun time. Definitely a lot of dancing, a lot of getting the crowd up on their feet.

Advice for other aspiring young talents:

I never even thought that this was gonna happen to me. I just followed my dreams and I didn’t let anybody get in the way of them, and I didn’t let anybody bring me down. So for any of you who want to do that, just keep following your dreams and don’t let anybody tell you any different.

Catch Jessica and the rest of the top 10 finalists at the “American Idol Live Tour 2012” concert on Sept. 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, presented by Ovation Productions. Visit www.ticketnet.com for ticket inquiries. “The Ultimate Jessica Sanchez Skype Party” was made possible by MCA Music and Astroplus.