MANILA, Philippines ? Contrary to rumors that have cropped up recently, Jessica Sanchez ? the 16-year old Filipino-Mexican top 5 finalist at the 11th season of ?American Idol? ? will not be singing the Philippine National Anthem at pound for pound king and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao?s upcoming bout with Timothy Bradley set on June 9.
The athlete-politician himself told ?24 Oras? in a taped interview aired on May 2, “Kirby is Filipino,” when asked about the matter.
Bulletin Entertainment, citing a report from The Filipino Channel program ?Balitang America,? has already reported about this selection back in March, with the privilege going to 14-year old Filipina and New Jersey-based Kirby Asunto.
The Pinay teen happily related then how she was personally approached by Pacquiao to give him the task.
?Out of nowhere, he asked me, ?Marunong ka bang kumanta ng Lupang Hinirang?? And I?m like, ?Yes! Opo marunong po ako.? Sabi naman niya, ?Eh ikaw na lang ang kumanta sa June 9 fight ko.? Sabi ko naman, ?O sige po,?? Asunto shared.
The June fight is said to be the third time that she would show off her singing talent before Pacquiao, as she had apparently already done so during a mass and at the post-fight concert last year.
Pacquiao?s wife Jinkee even praised Asunto, saying in the same report, ?Kumanta siya sa Church ?di ba, sa Vegas last fight. Okay naman, ganda ng boses.?
Nevertheless, Pacquiao had expressed his full support for Sanchez.
?Jessica, good luck and we?re praying for you. Sana manalo ka. No, hindi sana. I declare that you?re gonna win in Jesus’ name,? he was quoted as saying in a separate article posted on ABS-CBNNews.com on Monday.
