Jessica Sanchez Gets Much Love in the Philippines, leads to Jollibee Endorsement Deal

Jessica Sanchez joined fellow "American Idol" season eleven finalists on the last leg of the "American Idol" 2012 tour in the Philippines this week, receiving much love and praise from her devoted Filipino fan-base. Sanchez has enjoyed her visit to the sovereign state so much and has received such positive feedback from the Filipino community that the popular Philippines-based food chain Jollibee plans on signing her on as an endorser.

According to Manila Standard Today, following the "American Idol" concert, Jessica Sanchez will remain in the Philippines to fix a future endorsement with Jollibee. The multinational Filipino fast food chain restaurant, with headquarters in Pasig City, is the number one fast food chain in the Philippines.

Sanchez's mother is Filipino, so upon the 17-year-old singer's arrival to the Philippines, she expressed her utmost happiness and excitement over finally being there: "This is such a delight going to the Philippines and traveling out of the (US) for the first time. Out of the whole tour, this is the most special for me. My grandfather is here and my grandmother has traveled with us from the States. I definitely have lots of family here from Bataan. If I have any free time, I'd definitely go visit Bataan."

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Sanchez admits that she is a sucker for Filipino food - the "American Idol" runner-up claims she eats more Filipino food than Mexican. She lists Sinigang among one of her favorite dishes - a Filipino soup/stew known for its sour flavor most often associated with tamarind.

Sanchez enjoyed her visit to the Philippines so much that she planned on staying in the country to enjoy more of what her heritage has to offer even before the Jollibee endorsement proposal. Reports also have it that Bench, a popular Philippines clothing brand, also approached Sanchez to be one of their new international endorsers.

The "American Idol" tour hits the stage at Quezon City's Smart Araneta Coliseum today (Friday, Sept. 21). Stay-tuned to see what Sanchez's next move will be in the Philippines!