MANILA, Philippines ? Filipina-Mexican-American Jessica Sanchez said she would be honored to sing the Philippine national anthem in a future bout of Pinoy boxing superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
Sanchez, currently one of four finalists on ?American Idol,? said she would love to sing the national anthem in a boxing match of the People?s Champ, who recently said he would like Sanchez to perform ?Lupang Hinirang? in one of his future fights.
?I would love to [sing the national anthem], it would be an honor,? she said in an interview with GMA News on Thursday. ?But right now I will have to concentrate on what is going on right now. Hopefully after the competition, I can do that.?
On Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), she sang ?Steal Away? by Etta James and ?And I?m Telling You I?m Not Going? by Jennifer Holliday during the show’s top four performance night.
But the 16-year-old singer, whose mother was born in Bataan, is not resting on her laurels.
?[I think about it] a lot actually. Like what am I going to sing next week? Am I even going to make top three tomorrow? Did I do a good enough job tonight??
The ?Idol? finalist, at least, has one of the questions figured out.
?I am 16 years old, I want to do more mainstream stuff after this competition, but this is a competition, so I have to sing big songs,? she said.
Singing big songs proved auspicious for Sanchez, as she roused audience and judges alike to a standing ovation for her rendition of the iconic ?Dreamgirls? song.
Judge Jennifer Lopez, who was wowed by Sanchez?s vocal ability, said it seemed that it?s going to be a race to the finish. “It was a real moment,” she said.
Judge Randy Jackson said Sanchez picked ?one of the hardest songs in the world to sing but you slayed it.?
Sanchez, along with other ?Idol? contestants Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Hollie Cavanagh, are vying for a spot in the show?s top three, which will be announced on Thursday (Friday morning in Manila).
