Jessica Sanchez is 100% Pinay? How true?

Jessica Elizabeth Sanchez, born August 4, 1995, is the first female contestant to receive the judges’ save on American Idol. She is currently among the Top 4 in the ongoing 11th season of the reality singing competition.

Her father, Gilbert Sanchez, a Mexican American originally from Texas, is a U.S. Navy veteran who fought in the Iraq War, served in Afghanistan, and will soon be deployed to Singapore. Her mother, Editha, is pure Filipina and originally hailed from Bataan province in the Philippines. They are currently residing in Chula Vista, San Diego, California.

Being half-Filipino half-Mexican (or 1/4 Mexican?), Jessica is gaining tremendous support from Filipinos and Mexicans in and out of the US by voting for her every week during the performance show on American Idol.

Mexican-American host/actor Mario Lopez, who also grew up on Chula Vista, admitted that he is rooting for his hometown girl and expressed relief when she was saved from her almost elimination. Glee star Jane Lynch said the judges was right to save her from elimination and expressed admiration to her singing prowess despite her age.

If ever Jessica wins the show, the 16-year-old singer will become the first ever American Idol of Filipino-Mexican descent.

However, there’s a rumor which originated from San Diego, California, that Jessica is not half-Mexican and in fact, she’s 100% Filipina. How true?

Meanwhile, the remaining four contestants on American Idol–Jessica with Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips–will again perform two songs this Wednesday (Thursday morning in Manila): California Dreamin’ or songs written and/or popularized by bands/singers from California and Songs They Wish They’ve Written.

With only three performance shows left this season, let’s hope Jessica will choose the right songs for her. And let’s also hope that Filipinos will still vote for her, more so if the rumor is true.