Isang hero's welcome ang naranasan ni Jessica Sanchez nang umuwi ito ngayong Sabado, May 12, (Linggo ng madaling-araw sa Pilipinas) sa Chula Vista, California para sa traditional homecoming ng American Idol na mapapanood sa Miyerkules, May 16 (Huwebes ng umaga sa Pilipinas).

Ang Eastlake High School ang venue ng homecoming ni Jessica dahil estudyante siya ng nabanggit na paaralan.

Idineklara ni Chula Vista City Mayor Cheryl Cox na Jessica Sanchez Day ang pagbabalik ng Fil-Mexican singer sa kanilang lugar, matapos makabilang sa Top 3 ng American Idol Season 11.

Saksi sa mainit na pagsalubong kay Jessica si Aaron Paul del Rosario, ang Filipino composer na may likha sa classic song na "Nandito Ako."

Siya ang nagbigay sa PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) ng detalye tungkol sa mga kaganapan sa homecoming ng Filipino-Mexican American Idol contestant.

Narito ang kanyang kuwento:

"We were there at 9:30 a.m. Chula Vista shut down the whole street leading to the high school, so we had to park almost 5 blocks away in the nearby Eastlake Greens neighborhood.

"My 11-year-old daughter Camie was sick that day but she said, 'For Jessica it would be worth it.'

"The football stadium was packed with a lot of Filipinos who came to support our Pinay representative.

"There were news crews from different local networks. We even saw news crews from GMA and ABS-CBN. As soon as the Filipinos saw them, they rushed to get in front of the cameras nearly toppling over the barricades.

"News articles said the parade would start at 10:15 a.m. but it was almost an hour later before she arrived.

"When she did, Chula Vista police had to escort her as the crowd suddenly ran towards her.

"That was a very risky decision on their part. They should have at least been on a vehicle instead of walking. She just walked from the other side of the field until she reached the stage.

"I updated the footage on YouTube just now. She sang three songs: 'Try A Little Tenderness,' 'Stutter,' 'I Will Always Love You.'

"The Mayor declared today, Jessica Sanchez Day."