Philippines wins Eurovision Asia, making history

The Philippines had made musical history in Bangkok, claiming victory in the inaugural Eurovision Asia Song Contest.Carmelle Allyza San Juan Collado took home the crown with an electric performance of the original song Sobra-Sobra, a tune she said was inspired by the strength of Philippine women."I'm really happy. I'm really grateful that I made history," Collado said.Carmelle Allyza San Juan Collado claimed the top prize. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)The 19-year-old performer from Bicol comes from a family of entertainers and had been the youngest contestant in the competition. She is already known in her country after winning the Tawag ng Tanghalan singing competition, participating in Pinoy Big Brother and releasing a self-titled album this year."I got singing from my mother's side," she told the ABC."My mother sang, my grandmother sang, and also my grandfather. My uncles and aunties, my cousins, they all sang.Carmelle says she is grateful to have won. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)"I hope that I can leave audiences with a deep sense of connection and I hope I can make them understand that the Filipino music is universally relatable."Spectators from around the worldSeventy years after Eurovision was created to help unite war-torn Europe through music, the competition has embarked on an ambitious new chapter in Asia.The original Eurovision Song Contest is the world's longest-running international music competition, and is renowned for its music, spectacle and glamour. More than 130 million viewers tuned in to watch the contest in Vienna in May.JUNHEE represented South Korea. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)But the inaugural Asian edition did not generate the same fan following. Some of the region's largest and most influential nations, including India, China and Japan, were notably absent.Instead, 11 countries took to the stage, with performers from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam competing for the hearts and votes of viewers.Tóc Tiên is Vietnam's representative at the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 in Bangkok. (Supplied: Eurovision Song Contest Asia)But what the competition lacked in anticipation, it made up for in spectacle, with everything from colourful tuktuks paraded on stage, to awe-inspiring visual special effects and show-stopping costumes. Adam Bryers and Lalla Stewart, who were dressed in matching sparkling silver outfits, flew from Perth to watch the musical extravaganza."We love Eurovision and we have Eurovision parties in Perth in our house and also with our friends," Bryers told the ABC."The glam, the fun, the music, the silliness — it's a really great festival. I think it really suits the culture here, especially in places like the Philippines, so it will do well,."Adam Bryers and Lalla Stewart travelled from Perth to attend Eurovision Asia 2026. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)Ran Macanang travelled from the Philippines to watch the show live, having followed the original competition for a decade."There are thousands of fans in the Philippines for Eurovision already, so knowing that Eurovision is finally coming to Asia, everyone is excited that finally someone from the Philippines can show the world our talents," he told the ABC while waving his nation's flag."Asia has what it takes to be as colourful as the main Eurovision in Europe."This year's winner will not receive any prize money or automatically gain the right to host the next competition.The road to Eurovision AsiaMongolia was one of the 11 countries to compete in the competition. Behind the lights and carefully choreographed performances, the road to Eurovision Asia was long and, for some contestants, heartbreaking.For Thinla, the journey began in the rice paddies of south-western Laos, where she grew up singing and dancing while her parents cultivated the land. In a country where 15 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the Asian Development Bank, she said it was difficult to carve out a career as an entertainer."I started dancing because at the time I just wanted to make money to support my family," the 29-year-old said."It's not easy."Eurovision Asia contestant Thinla represented Laos. (ABC: Haidarr Jones)Despite the challenges and the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Thinla secured a scholarship to study in China. But four years ago, shortly after returning to Laos, she lost her biggest fan: her father."I hope he can see me growing up like this and can see me perform because he loved it when I sang and performed for him," she said, tears running down her face.For Nepal's Pratik Himal Rai, the competition carried a profound sense of responsibility. He was representing not only the dreams of his family, but also a nation still reeling from tragedy.Pratik Himal Rai represented Nepal in the competition. (Supplied: Eurovision Song Contest Asia)In August, flash floods devastated communities along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers near the Nepal-Tibet border, killing at least 1,400 people.More than 5,700 remain missing, including close family members of Rai's friends.He said he felt a great sense of responsibility. (ABC: Haidarr Jones)"My message for the world is that love is eternal. To all the lives that we have lost in the floods, we have lost them but their love for us is still there," he said.Fierce competitionEurovision has embarked on an ambitious new chapter in Asia. (Supplied: Eurovision Song Contest Asia)Yet, for all its ambition, Eurovision Asia's launch was mired in questions about public interest and organisation.The competition's attempt to enter the American market in 2022 fell flat, getting poor viewing figures as it competed against more established shows such as American Idol.Eurovision Asia has made a tentative start in its bid to capture the region's music fans. In a market rich in musical heritage and global talent covering genres from K-pop to indie, the potential audience is vast.