Jessica wears an Oliver Tolentino on American Idol

MANILA, Philippines - Did you know that Jessica Sanchez and Hollywood-based Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino (inset) are townmates in Bataan?

“I wish her good luck,” Oliver told Funfare Update during an interview in L.A. last week. (See story in tomorrow’s issue.) “I really hope and pray that she will win.”

If ever, Jessica, one of the Top 3 on American Idol’s 11th season, will be the first Filipina (actually half-Mexican and half-Filipina, her father being Mexican and her mother a Filipina from Bataan) to bag the title. The closest to doing it was Jasmine Trias who also reached the Top 3 on the same talent search but lost to Fantasia Barrino.

In this week’s edition of American Idol, Jessica wore an Oliver Tolentino purple dupioni silk creation. The mermaid-cut structured gown features a bustier draped bodice with ruffles and pleats accenting the hip. Jessica wore the gown when the contestants first appeared when she sang Mariah Carey’s My All, one of her three songs for the night.

“I have dressed other Hollywood celebrities but Jessica is extra-special to me because she’s a kababayan,” added Oliver. “I always consider it an honor to dress Filipinos whenever they are representing us on the international stage. I consider it my patriotic duty.”

His kababayan clients include Gwen Ruais for 2011 Miss World first runner-up, Arnel Pineda for his docu film Everyman’s Journey’s recent premiere at the Tribeca and San Francisco Film Festivals, Kara David when she received the prestigious Peabody Award, Lea Salonga when she performed with Patti Austin (Austin also wore an Oliver Tolentino), and director Auraeus Solito and actress Alessandra de Rossi for the screening of Busong at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.