Can Jessica Sanchez be the very first Filipino to win American Idol?

I personally love reality shows showcasing extraordinary talents. Just seeing the contestants grow from an amateur to a professional makes you feel that you too can make your dreams come true. However, In spite my love for reality shows, I haven't been a follower of "American Idol" despite its huge success all around the world but this season is different.

One contestant really caught my attention....perhaps, it's because of her vocal prowess but aside from that, the fact that she is a FILIPINA excites me because if ever she wins (which is verrrrryyyyyyy possible by the way the competition is going...), she will be the very first filipino to ever get the title. So how thrilling can it get?

I started to notice that she's a filipina in the auditions when she performed "You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)" by Aretha Franklin. She did great on that one but I thought at that point, "nothing extraordinary..." I mean, don't get me wrong...I've heard many filipinas sing the way she did, that's why!

BUTTTTTT....permit me to change my mind...the Las Vegas audition, when she sang "The Prayer" by Celine Dion, as her final piece on her way to be a part of top 24, quite convinces me that she's not that ordinary as I initially thought of her.. She is not just someone who belts out thinking that the higher the notes, the more chances to qualify. In that song, I felt her heart and her soul...not overly belting it out...just pure soul...and from that day on, I've been a fan. (not super fan but I am looking forward to her every performance)

Jessica Sanchez sings "The Prayer" by Celine Dion

I made some research about her...Jessica Sanchez is a 16-year old filipino-mexican-american petite teen, who, just like most of other aspiring singers, had started their dream of becoming one at an early age. However, I am shocked to know that this is not the first time the world have seen her perform because when she was 11, she had competed in the first season of "America's Got Talent". Obviously, she didn't won the said contest but 5 years had past and those years can go a long way when it comes to voice maturity.

Back to American Idol Season 11, who among the contestants have made the three judges stand from their seats thrice? Yes, thrice, they first gave the talented girl a standing ovation in the group performance in Las Vegas. Second was when she sang "I love You I do" by Jennifer Hudson in the Movie, Dream Girls. This song wins her a sure spot in the Top 13. It's crazy that every time I see her perform, the more confident I am in saying she can be the next American Idol for as long as she will be consistent with her performances in the weeks to come.

She sings "I Love You I Do" by Jennifer Hudson

The third standing ovation happened in the recent episode of American Idol Season 11 where the men sings Stevie Wonder hits and the girls get to sing the songs of the greatest diva of all time, Whitney Houston. I was surprised that she picked "I will always love you", probably, the most popular song of Whitney. At first, I think it's not a good choice, it is the signature song of Whitney and the more popular the song, the more it is prone to criticisms. Luckily, it made a positive impact with the judges considering it the best performance of the night and recognized Jessica, as one of the best voices in the whole competition. Indeed, she is a voice to be reckoned with.

In her performance of the all-time classic, "I Will Always Love You" of Whitney Houston

But as they say, nothing beats the original but being close to the original or at par with it is quite an achievement. What I love in Jessica is that when she performs, you can't feel her nerves at all 'coz she's just so relaxed...the amazing part is, I'm sure she's really nervous but you can't hear it in her performance...she is just so cool..the feeling that every song she sings, she had been singing it her whole life...she is not making her nerves get the best out of her but instead, she's making her nervousness bring out the best in her..

In her "I will always love you" performance, there is no doubt she is the best of the night, however, I just feel that it is rushed, that it is more faster than the natural tempo of the song...and I think this made it less dramatic.. They have cut the amazing parts of the song in the end but nevertheless, the last three notes was divine and flawlesssssssssss!!!!! So two thumbs up to her and I really pray she made it!

I am looking forward to more "standing ovations" from the judges in the weeks to come. I think the time has come for a filipina American Idol. She just have to be consistently good coz in a contest where consistency is the key to success, she has to be better and better than her last performances but never less... GOODLUCK and a shout out to America, please vote for her! :)

SCENTS worth your CENTS.

My enthrallment with fragrances starts as early as I was in Elementary years when my childhood crush always captivate me with his scent. From then on, I have been a "perfume lover", "fragrance enthusiast", whatever you want to call it. However, I am no expert in this. I just buy the ones that interests my olfaction.

I can say that I splurge on perfumes and I really believe every splurge is worth it. I am unbelievably frugal but when it comes to perfumes, I really can't resist... In a way, perfumes can give you a different feeling of freshness in daytime and sensuality in nighttime... Who says only good looks and vavavoom body can make heads turn? Because we must admit, we can't help but turn our heads to the one who smells like heaven.. (LOL) I know I'm exaggerating but perfumed men really turn me on...(wholesome turn-on)

My fragrance line starts from colognes to designer perfumes. I have my fair share of colognes and sprays from Victoria Secret and Bath and Body Works, any one of them I haven't bought....(LOL) It was always given by my very good aunts from US. VS and B&BW tends to be so sweet and fruity...that is when I realized that I don't like fragrances with fruity notes and vanilla scents.

As years passed by, I have accumulated quite few fragrances that I personally love... (disclaimer: this is not a review or anything to that effect...this is my personal opinion..I am no expert in perfumery or things like that...I only based my opinion on fragrance alone... and not on smell longevity since perfumes longevity varies depending on its chemistry with your body.) Who doesn't want the feeling of people turning heads on you because you smell great?

In no particular order, the following are my I-can't-resist-you perfumes for women:

1. COOL WATER FOR WOMEN (DAVIDOFF)

This is my "first love". I could describe its scent as light, fresh, clean, breezy, watery and oceanic... However, it's more appropriate as a daytime perfume or a perfume when you are walking by the sea...or strolling on a summer day...

2. DKNY (Donna Karan New York) Energizing for Women

I really am in love with clean and fresh scents and this is one of the scents that is a manifestation of that. When I am wearing this scent, I always feel like i just got out of the shower. However, it doesn't work that well with my body chemistry coz it doesn't last long but fragrance-wise, it's my absolute favorite!!! The notes include citrus, iced vodka, tomato leaves, water lily and green coral orchids to name a few. It's floral scent will surely give you compliments every now and then.

3.) Incanto Shine (Salvatore Ferragamo)

I can describe this as mystical and sensual. A combination of fruity and floral notes that creates a sexy feel when you're wearing it...more like making you feel like you're in beach wearing your favorite summer dress. Just like DKNY, this is a not-so-popular perfume which makes the people who can smell it actually asking you what perfume are you wearing? It's very noticeable that everytime someone passed by wearing this on...i already knew...but don't fret coz it is not overpowering at all.

There are also some perfumes that is getting great reviews and feedback which I haven't got the chance to try by myself like the all-time favorite, Light Blue by Dolce and Gabbana and Happy by Clinique. The latter is my sister's favorite by the way.

If there is one tip I could give to a man regarding dating...I say: Wear perfume and if it's not too much, I'll give them my favorite masculine scents that will surely make a girl ignore how you look like (i know i'm exaggerating again..) but truly, perfume, generally, can really turn a women on even if you are not necessarily good looking for their standards. It's a must-have for all men and I mean, if you miss to wear some, you should definitely go back to wear it on, it's that important!!!! It's a part of your personality and should not be worn just for the sake of vanity! So here it goes, my favorite masculine scents. (again, this is my personal opinion...)


1.) COOL WATER FOR MEN (Davidoff)

Ohhh...just imagining the scent of this drives me crazy...this scent, whenever I smell it, is like luring you to come near the person wearing it. It's the masculine counterpart of my first love and has almost the same marine notes. It's a guaranteed +100,000 pts. for me for a guy who wears it!!!!


2.) Acqua Di Gio (Giorgio Armani)

This is the scent of masculinity!!! (well, atleast for me...) I definitely adore all men I know who wears this perfume...as in ALL..It's a perfect blend of musk and marine notes! For me, if the mythical "ADONIS", who is an epitome of a super good-looking man, is true and existing today, this must have been his scent! 


3.) Aqva Pour Homme (Bulgari)

This is the scent of the love of my life. Whenever my bf wears this, I am like..."come near me...hug me...hug me until the scent lasts" lol. I am so addicted to aquatic-style scents and this one is no exception. It reveals my inner lioness! I am not that sweet but smelling this on my bf makes me overly touchy. hehehehehe...joke!


Again, there are other masculine scents that captivate my sense of smell...like Essential by Lacoste and Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche. The former is the scent of my dad and the latter is the scent of my uncle. I can say Lacoste has that elegant feel deceiving you that the one who wears it is a very successful man and Drakkar is a very powerful perfume. Both of which is long-lasting and the longer you wear it, the more fragrant it gets.

There are so many great scents in the market today so be sure to avail of even just one just for special occasions. You need not wear it everyday if you're really not the type who will splurge on perfumes but believe me, it's worth every cent!