Isle ‘Idol’ Trias draws
raves in Philippines

MANILA » "American Idol" finalist Jasmine Trias arrived yesterday in Manila to a rousing welcome from fans and media jostling each other at the airport to get a glimpse of the 17-year-old Filipino American.

"Jasmania in Manila" was how the Philippine Daily Inquirer dubbed her first visit to the land of her parents.

Trias was seen walking out of the airport into a waiting van surrounded by security personnel amid a crush of photographers and shrieking fans.

"We've been here since this morning," an excited fan told ABS-CBN television.

"Jasmine, I love you!" shrieked another fan.

Trias' commercials -- endorsing a hamburger chain, a phone company and a clothes company -- have been showing on local television. A giant billboard bearing her face and trademark flower behind her ear is seen every day by hundreds of thousands of commuters on Manila's main avenue.

The Hawaii teen is set to do more endorsements and make the rounds of TV variety and talk shows during her visit, the Inquirer quoted her as saying.

Trias made it to the top three in the popular "American Idol" singing contest in May. Filipinos, like Hawaii residents, closely followed her performance and cheered her on.