MANILA, Philippines – One of Europe’s biggest music competitions heads to Asia, and the Philippines will be part of it.

Eurovision, the widely popular song competition first launched in Europe in 1956, holds its inaugural Asian edition on Saturday, November 14, in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together 11 countries — each represented by an artist and an original song.

The winner will be determined by jury votes and audience votes, each accounting for 50% of the final score.

Bicolana singer Carmelle Collado, the Philippines’ first representative to the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, aims to make the country proud with the song “Sobra-Sobra.”

Unlike other music contests, Eurovision is a country-based competition. 

From established performers to rising talents, meet the 11 artists bringing their countries’ sounds to Eurovision.

Philippines: Carmelle – “Sobra-Sobra”

The pride of Camarines Sur is no stranger to winning music competitions. 

And Carmelle Collado hopes to add Eurovision to her triumphs, which includes copping seven gold medals at the 2019 World Championships of Performing Arts and bagging the title in a noontime show singing contest, Tawag ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown, in 2025.

A Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 contestant earlier this year, she first caught the public’s attention as runner-up on The Voice Kids Philippines in 2019.

Now, the 19-year-old singer is taking to the Bangkok stage “Sobra-Sobra,” a bold anthem of women’s empowerment celebrating confidence, fearless self-expression, and owning who you are.

Written by Nica del Rosario and Mat Olavides, the song was chosen as the Philippines’ Eurovision entry during the national selection on August 30, where Carmelle bested nine other acts.

“I’m looking forward to more opportunities, not just for myself but for OPM — to help more people discover Filipino music, relate to it, and understand it wherever they are in the world,” Carmelle said. 

Vietnam: Tóc Tiên – “EM TIÊN”

A familiar name in Vietnam’s entertainment scene, Tóc Tiên has spent more than two decades working as a singer, actress, and television host. 

She was selected through The Sound of Vietnam, where viewers voted for the song she would bring to the Eurovision competition.

Tóc Tiên will open the competition with “EM TIÊN,” representing Vietnam created by the creative team S•HUBE – producer DUONGK and songwriter HAROSE.

Cambodia: Monetrey – “I Let You Go”

Monetrey won the trophy in Cambodia’s national selection, Cambodia’s Finest Voice, with his emotional ballad. 

His music combines contemporary pop with Khmer influences, while his creative work draws on storytelling, fashion, and visual art.

He will compete with “I Let You Go.”

Laos: Thinla – “BAE”

With more than 20 releases since her 2021 debut, Thinla blends traditional Morlum music with pop, R&B, and dance. 

She hopes to introduce more international listeners to the sounds of Laos.

Thinla will represent Laos with “BAE.”

Mongolia: Beck – “Chamguigeer (Without You)”

Beck has been entertaining audiences for nearly two decades, having made his singing debut in 2007.

Beyond performing, he has also explored acting, hosting, modeling, and producing. 

His experience across different entertainment fields has helped shape him into a performer and storyteller.

He will bring “Chamguigeer (Without You)” to the Eurovision Asia stage for Mongolia.

Bhutan: Nyendra – “Lhayi Semo”

At 24, Nyendra is a singer, songwriter, and producer whose music moves between pop, folk-pop, acoustic, and R&B.

He also performs in both English and Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language, allowing him to incorporate different musical and cultural influences into his work.

Nyendra earned his place in the competition through Bhutan’s national selection, Rhythm of Bhutan. He will perform “Lhayi Semo” for his country.

Bangladesh: Beatmosphere – “Tumi Ele”

Unlike the other solo performers in the lineup, Bangladesh will be represented by Beatmosphere, an a cappella and beatbox collective formed in 2009.

The group creates musical arrangements using their voices instead of relying entirely on conventional instruments. 

Through beatboxing and vocal techniques, they recreate sounds such as drums, basslines, and electronic textures.

Their approach gives them a distinct place in this year’s competition, where they will perform “Tumi Ele.”

Thailand: MANG x DAOU – “Aroma”

As the host country, Thailand will showcase a collaboration between two performers, MANG and DAOU.

MANG, known for her powerful vocals and pop style Thai-based infused music, joins DAOU, a singer, actor, and a first-place winner of survival show Laz Icon.

Together, the two artists will represent Thailand with “Aroma,” bringing their individual musical strengths to the competition’s home stage.

Republic of Korea: JUNHEE – “DEEP DIVE”

JUNHEE is a South Korean solo singer-songwriter whose music focuses on pop, R&B, and dance.

He describes music as a way to bring positive energy to listeners, with his work exploring different contemporary sounds.

For the inaugural competition, he will represent Korea with “DEEP DIVE.”

Nepal: Pratik Himal Rai – “Ananta Maya”

Pratik Himal Rai brings more than a decade of experience as a singer, songwriter, and performer to Eurovision Asia.

He creates songs that blend emotion with authenticity. His music spans ballads, slow rock, Nepali folk and folk-pop,

His experience in music has helped him develop a sound that reflects different sides of Nepal’s musical identity.

Pratik will compete with “Ananta Maya.”

Malaysia: Aina Abdul – “Bluest Sky”

Malaysian singer, songwriter, and actress Aina Abdul completes the lineup of 11 representatives.

She first gained wide recognition through Mentor Legend in 2014 and continued building her career through television competitions. 

In 2020, she won The Masked Singer Malaysia, further establishing her presence in the country’s entertainment industry.

Known for her vocal performances, Aina will bring “Bluest Sky” to Bangkok as Malaysia’s representative.

One stage, 11 countries

The grand finals will start at 9:30 pm (Philippine time) on Saturday at One Bangkok Forum, with the show also streamed worldwide for free through the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.

It will also be aired on ABS-CBN through ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and iWant, with a delayed telecast on MYX. – Rappler.com  

Jade Tan is a Rappler intern studying AB Journalism at University of Santo Tomas, Manila.