Jessica Sanchez vows to 'step up her game'

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Mexican-American contestant Jessica Sanchez has vowed to step up her game on the hit talent show “American Idol.”

This comes after she was almost sent home last week for getting the least number of votes among the remaining contestants only to be saved by the judges.

In her official Twitter account, Sanchez said she is “really working hard to impress” the viewers this week.

“Really gotta step up my game now, right? About to record iTunes tracks,” she said.

The 16-year-old belter also promised that she will not disappoint her fans come Wednesday (Thursday morning in Manila) as a lot of people liked her Facebook page and followed her on Twitter to show support.

“104k likes! I'm feelin' it! Thank you guys so much! Love you! Won't let you down this week!” she said.

Sanchez gained more than 45,000 followers on Twitter after the “Idol” episode where she almost got booted off.

Although the theme for this week has not yet been announced, “Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said the remaining contestants will sing two songs each on the performance night.

Fil-Ams pledge to vote more

Meanwhile, fans of Sanchez are raring to show their support for the Filipino-Mexican.

ABS-CBN North America Bureau correspondent Steve Angeles told radio dzMM this morning that a lot of Filipinos in the U.S. are organizing viewing parties on Wednesday.

“Yung isang reporter sa dyaryo dito, we’re gonna have a viewing party sa bahay niya. That could be about 20 of us members of the media to watch trying to support [Jessica] who could be the first Filipino American Idol,” he said.

Angeles also mentioned that several people have pledged to cast more votes for Sanchez.

Sanchez’s near elimination became a "wake up call" for most Pinoys, he said.

“Medyo naging comfortable tayo kasi talagang magaling siya, na hindi na kailangan ng mga boto. Parang nagiging lazy kami so wake up call ito to vote more. Talagang everyone needs to vote na. It doesn’t matter kung ikaw ang pinakamagaling na singer. 'Yung boto is what’s gonna make you the next American Idol,” he said.

Martin Nievera campaigns for Jessica

Angeles also told dzMM that singer Martin Nievera campaigned for Sanchez in one of his shows in the U.S. recently.

“Mayroong magandang nangyari kahapon sa concert ni Martin Nievera. During the spiel of Martin, kinukuwento niya ang mga accomplishments ng mga Filipino-American entertainers. May isang tao sa audience, isinigaw niya ang pangalan ni Jessica Sanchez and then Martin started campaigning for Jessica Sanchez din telling mga almost 1,000 kababayans na mag-vote tayo, let’s make the first Filipino-American Idol. Iyon pala after the show, he said that he’s actually been trying to tweet Jessica for advice,” Angeles shared.

Angeles said he is hoping this will guarantee more votes for Sanchez this week.