ORANI, Bataan – American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez is not yet sure when will she visit the Philippines.
“She has to finish her commitment with the famous television show until September this year,” her grandfather Eddie Bugay said Monday.
The retired American sailor just arrived last Friday from the United States and again began tending to his farm here.
He left his wife Virgie to attend to Jessica’s two younger brothers while mother Editha is busy accompanying the singer with Pinay blood.
“Oras na matapos nga po ang kanyang commitment sa AI, uuwi siya kasabay ang dalawa ko pang anak na babae at kanilang pamilya ganoon din ang mga kaibigan nila upang tuloy pasalamatan ang mga kababayang Pilipino sa kanilang ginawang pagtulong,” said Bugay.
He said that Editha and her youngest daughter have not gone back to the Philippines since 1987. “Sumususo pa sa bote si Editha nang dalhin ko siya sa Japan at nakabalik sila sa Pilipinas nang madestino ako sa Subic noong 1985,” the retired U.S. Navy man said.
He said there was no concrete date of the homecoming yet but soon this will be finalized as soon as Jessica’s obligation with the television program is nearing to end. “Sabik na sabik na talagang nakauwi dito ni Jessica,” the grandfather said.
Bugay said that he and his wife were with Jessica during her memorial concert in Washington D.C. last May 25 -28.
“Doon naming huling nakasama ang apo ko at pagkatapos ay umuwi kami sa California at si Jessica naman sa Florida sa New York,” he said.
He considered Jessica’s talent as God-given although he said that they belong to families of musicians.
“Pero walang singer sa pamilya but I play the trumpet while my late late father the trombone. Some brothers of my father and my cousins belong to a local brass band,” Bugay said.
He said he went with Jessica in some of her performances during the AI competition, “Pero hindi sa lahat dahil baka ma-eliminate at masabing ako pa malas,” Bugay said in jest.
On being runner-up, Bugay said Jessica and even the rest of the family accepted it with open heart. “Tanggap ng maluwag ng bata at kaming lahat ay satisfied sa narrating niya,” he said.
“Hindi naming nakitang tumulo ang luha ng bata dahil hindi siya naging American idol.”
The grandfather also said Jessica will finish her studies but will concentrate on singing. “Baka nga mag-modelo pa siya,” he said. As to being a front act of Jennifer Lopez, one of the AI judges, he said that he does not know anything about the plan.
He acknowledged the big role the Philippine media played in helping his granddaughter.
