Sanchez was born in the Philippines and reared there. She is the daughter of former sailor Roberto Campo. Sanchez began her career as a seductive actor before becoming one of the country's most exciting discoveries. She has appeared in more than 30 films since 2000. She gained attention for her role as "Inocencia" in the 2000 film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Inosanto III, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 23rd Manila International Film Festival. That same year, she starred in another acclaimed movie called Huling Pagsibog where she played a young woman who tries to stop her family from being murdered by a drug lord. She continued to appear in popular movies such as Laging Nagmamahal (2002), which earned her another Best Actress nomination at the 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival, and Ikaw Pa Lamang (2003). In 2004, she starred in Palimos ng Damong Sanomi with Richard Gomez. The movie was very successful in the Philippines and made Sanchez a celebrity there. In 2005, she starred in Walang Hanggan with Iza Calzado. The movie was also very successful in the Philippines. In 2006, Sanchez starred in Sa 'Yo Lamang with Robin Padilla. The movie was very successful in the Philippines and made Sanchez a household name there.