PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos welcomed Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez, who paid a courtesy visit to Malacañang ahead of her New Year’s Eve performance in Manila. During their face-to-face, the first couple and Sanchez talked about the latter’s winning run on the latest season of America’s Got Talent as well as the artist’s future projects and her love of Filipino culture. Marcos extended an invitation to Sanchez to be one of the performers in the country’s hosting of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Manila. The chief executive expressed his gratitude to Sanchez for bringing pride and honor to the country on the international stage through her artistry. The 30-year-old Sanchez, who traces her Filipino roots to Samal, Bataan, first gained global fame after her runner-up stint in American Idol Season 11 in 2012. She has since made several return visits to the Philippines for concerts and major events, including the 2012 American Idols Live! Tour and the 2023 Miss Universe pageant hosted by the country. She is in town to headline “The Grand Countdown to 2026,” a New Year’s Eve celebration hosted by Newport World Resorts at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. The event marks her first major performance in the Philippines since winning America’s Got Talent and her first homecoming concert following the international competition.