Fil-Mexican Jessica Sanchez rocks 'American Idol' with 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

Incredible. That's how "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson called the latest performance of Filipino-Mexican Jessica Sanchez, one of the six remaining contestants on the reality singing competition.

According to a report of the news site Examiner on Thursday (Wednesday in Manila), Sanchez "set out to win Queen week" on American Idol.
 
"Her weapon of choice was the British band's anthem called 'Bohemian Rhapsody,'" the Examiner said.

"American Idol" contestants this week had to perform songs by Queen, a British rock band formed in London in the 1970s.

The Examiners said "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler, was thrilled with the performance of Sanchez, saying that the late Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury "would have been proud" to her her sing.

The third judge, singer Jennifer Lopez, said she felt every word that Sanchez sang.

All three judges had opted to save Sanchez when she was almost eliminated from the competition after getting the lowest number of votes from the audience.

The judges used their one and only "save" for the season to keep Sanchez from being booted out of the competition.

Support from kababayans

Sanchez, 16, born in the United States, is the daughter of Editha Bugay Sanchez, a Filipina married to a Mexican.  

As Editha hails from Bataan, people from the province have been rooting for Sanchez to win.

Bataan is the home of her grandparents from her mother’s side — retired US Navy man Eddie and Virgie Bugay — of Samal and Orani towns.

Just last Monday, during a program celebrating "Araw ng Balanga," emcees Melody Ortiguerra and Jonel Llanes of a program celebrating “Araw ng Balanga” last Monday night.
 
To drum up support for Sanchez, Llanes said: “Palakpakan para kay Jessica Sanchez! Kung kayo ay may kamag-anak sa Amerika, sabihan sila na suportahan ang one of the best singers in America.”
 
Ortiguerra added: “Magaling talaga, congratulations Miss Jessica Sanchez! We are proud of her na kababayan natin sa Bataan.”
 
Second best achievement so far

So far, among the contestants with Filipino blood, Sanchez has the second best achievement so far.

Filipino-American Jasmine Trias who bagged the Top 3 rank in American Idol’s third season. 
 
Before Sanchez, latest "Idol" contestant of Filipino descent was Thia Megia who finished in the Top 11 of last year's competition.

Before Megia came Ramiele Malubay who placed 9th in the seventh season.