Jessica Sanchez, Kirby Asunto's voices soar before Pacquiao-Bradley fight

Without the crutch of musical accompaniment, two young singers of Filipino roots -- rising star Kirby Asunto and "American Idol" runner-up Jessica Sanchez  -- sang national anthems a cappella, just their voices and an audience of millions around the world alert to any missed notes in songs sung at many an event every day.

The consensus was the girls were nearly perfect, a fresh and feminine prelude to the violent contest between Manny Pacquiao and American challenger Timothy Bradley.

Asunto, 14, sang the Philippine national anthem "Lupang Hinirang" while Sanchez, 16, sang the American national anthem "Star-Spangled Banner" on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in the United States.

The audience clapped wildly as Asunto was about to finish singing the Philippine anthem perfectly, without missing a note.

In contrast, the audience cheered the more popular Sanchez even as she was just starting to sing the American anthem.

The audience of 16,000 included Filipino-American singer apl.de.ap, Hollywood celebrities Mark Wahlberg and Jeremy Renner, who recently shot the movie "Bourne Legacy" in the Philippines.

Asunto, who recently signed a contract under Pacquiao's talent management agency, wore a red dress by Filipino Hollywood designer Oliver Tolentino.

On Twitter, Tolentino said: “Good Saturday AM! Looking forward to Kirby Asunto singing the Philippine national anthem tonight in my red dress at the Pacquiao fight.”

Sanchez, on the other hand, wore a tight-fitting yellow dress with black criss-cross diagonal designs.

Hours before the fight, Sanchez posted on Twitter a photo of a Pacquiao-Bradley promotional streamer and said: "I'm here."

Two Fil-Am achievers

Both Asunto and Sanchez are achievers at a young age.

Sanchez recently became the first runner-up of the Season 11 of the singing reality competition "American Idol."
 
Asunto, of "Child Access Broadway," recently performed with Arnel Pineda, the Filipino front man of the legendary American band Journey in Manhattan, New York.

Some of Asunto's other notable achievements include being a:

• Winner – Child Access Broadway, regional and national levels
• Grand Champion – Philippine Fiesta Idol, Seacaucus, NJ, junior level, and
• Final three – NY Knicks Kidzbop Sports Talent Jam at MSG.

Pacquiao first heard Asunto’s voice during the celebration of the Holy Mass before his most recent match against Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez last year which Pacquiao won.
 
Asunto also performed during Pacman's victory concert after the Pacquiao-Marquez bout.

Praises for Asunto, Sanchez

On Twitter, netizens posted praises for both Asunto and Sanchez:

Gabrielle ♔ Suarez ‏@itsAbbySuarez: "Ganda ng pagkakakanta ng Philippine National Anthem ni KirbyAsunto >.<"

Cindy Soriano ‏@escilicious: "Pinoy Pride -- Kirby Asunto and Jessica Sanchez #PacBradley"

Kisses ♡ ‏@simplykisses14:  "Bravo Kirby Asunto and Jessica Sanchez. #PinoyPride. Good Luck Manny!"

Sharon Ma ‏@smafoto: "Watching my first pay per view. I guess boxing's okay, but go KirbyAsunto! You sound great and look fabulous in that dress!

Aimee Diego ‏@iamaimeediego: "I have no idea who Kirby Asunto is but I'm glad she sang the Philippine National anthem correctly."

Jason Carmona ‏@jayskarmuni: "Kirby Asunto and @JSanchezAI11 did great jobs in singing the respected National Anthemns! Both are Pinoys by blood! Awesome right?"

engr.e®s ™  ‏@eRs_02: "It's good to see the three #PinoyPride we're facing the whole world tonight! Manny Pacquiao, Jessica Sanchez and Kirby Asunto!#PacBradley"

Meanwhile, Filipino boxer Ernie “The Rock” Sanchez fought in an undercard bout to the main event.

Sanchez, who is also under Pacquiao’s wing, won via unanimous decision against Dominican Wilton Hilario with his sudden spurts of explosive combinations reminiscent of the young Pacquiao. - VVP/HS, GMA News