Carmelle Collado, performing as Carmelle, won the Philippines’ “Pili, Pinas!: Philippine Selection Night” on Sunday, Aug. 30, earning the right to represent the country at the first Eurovision Song Contest Asia.
Carmelle won with “Sobra-Sobra,” translated as “Too Much.” She will perform the song during the Eurovision Asia Grand Final on Nov. 14 in Bangkok, Thailand.
“Sobra-Sobra” was written by Nica del Rosario and Mat Olavides. The dance track was written as a tribute to Filipina women and addresses the idea that women can be labeled as either “too much” or “not enough.”
Carmelle was one of 10 acts that competed at the New Frontier Theatre in Quezon City. The other entries were AJAA with “Make It Exist”; DNA with “Between Bituin”; Elha Nympha, Esang de Torres, Lance Reblando and Nar Cabico with “Cheri(e)”; Jason Dy and Sassa Dagdag with “Di Yan (Red Flag)”; JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano with “Mapadama”; KHIMO with “Reason to Live”; Ryssi Avila with “Good For You”; SAGA with “Broken Beyond Repair”; and VVINK and WRIVE Russu with “Round N’ Round.”
The program was broadcast in the Philippines through ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live. It was streamed through iWant and made available outside the country through TFC and the Eurovision Song Contest’s YouTube channel.
The results were determined by three sets of votes. A professional jury and viewers in the Philippines each accounted for 40% of the result. Votes from viewers outside the Philippines accounted for the remaining 20%.
Each viewer received eight free votes, which had to be distributed among at least three songs. Viewers could also purchase a package of 10 additional votes.
Carmelle first received national attention as a contestant on the fourth season of “The Voice Kids Philippines” in 2019. She competed as a member of Bamboo Mañalac’s team and finished as the first runner-up.
She later competed in “Tawag ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown,” representing King Thomas Learning Academy. Carmelle won the competition in January 2025.
Carmelle joined the cast of “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0” later that year. She was known during the program as the “Riles Diva ng Camarines Sur” and remained in the competition until February 2026.
She released the single “Morena” in May, followed by a self-titled debut album. The album also included “Di Na Babalik,” “Kaibigan,” “Pasasalamat” and “Riles.”
AJAA performed “Make It Exist,” written by Angelo Calucin. The song concerns pursuing a goal despite uncertainty and setbacks.
AJAA is a P-pop group formed by Cornerstone Entertainment in 2023. Its members are Ash, JC, Axl and Alex. The group’s name combines the members’ initials with the Korean expression “Aja,” which can be translated as “Let’s go” or “You can do it.”
The group released its first extended play, “4 Ü,” in September 2023. Its other songs include “Hany,” “Torpe,” “Best Day Ever,” “BES I LUV U,” “Dedma” and “Ako Na.” AJAA received the Best Rookie P-pop Group award at the 2024 Big Bold Brave Awards.
DNA performed “Between Bituin,” written by Jungee Marcelo. Its title combines the English word “between” with “bituin,” the Filipino word for “star.” The pop song concerns new beginnings and pursuing goals.
DNA consists of sisters Tasha, Julia and Ezri. The group performs under StarPop, part of ABS-CBN Music, and is the label’s first girl group composed of siblings. Its debut single, “Don’t Ask Me Why,” received a Female Group of the Year nomination at the 2026 Jupiter Music Awards.
Elha Nympha, Esang de Torres, Lance Reblando and Nar Cabico performed “Cheri(e),” which was written by Cabico. The song addresses identity and individuality.
Cabico first wrote the song in 2017 after actress Cherie Gil commissioned a piece connected to the pronunciation of her name. Its title also incorporates the French word “chérie,” a term of affection.
Nympha won the second season of “The Voice Kids Philippines” in 2015. She later released a self-titled album and became a member of the New Gen Divas.
De Torres also competed on “The Voice Kids Philippines” and later played the title role in the Manila production of “Matilda the Musical.” She released her first album, “Ako ay Kakanta,” as a child performer.
Reblando works in theater, television, film and digital productions. She has also used her work to support LGBTQIA+ representation in the performing arts.
Cabico is a singer, songwriter, actor and producer. He won GMA Network’s “Superstar Duets” and has written music for other Filipino performers and productions.
Jason Dy and Sassa Dagdag performed “Di Yan (Red Flag),” written by Jason Marvin Hernandez. The pop and R&B song concerns recognizing warning signs in a relationship while remaining reluctant to leave it.
Dy won the second season of “The Voice of the Philippines” as a member of Sarah Geronimo’s team. He has released R&B and pop music and has performed as part of the “ASAP” television program.
Dagdag, who performs as Sassa, competed on “The Voice Kids Philippines” and later finished fourth during the second season of “The Clash.” She has continued recording music and performing live.
JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano performed “Mapadama,” written by Jeremy Glinoga and Jungee Marcelo. The title refers to making someone feel or expressing an emotion. The song combines pop and jazz and concerns finding the courage to disclose romantic feelings.
Dela Cerna and Montellano both received national attention through “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” Performing together as JMielle, they won the first season of “Tawag ng Tanghalan: Duets” in 2023.
The pair later won the fourth season of “Your Face Sounds Familiar Philippines.” They have continued performing together in concerts and television appearances.
KHIMO performed “Reason to Live,” written by Stephen Tan. The R&B ballad concerns finding hope and support during periods of isolation.
KHIMO won the second season of “Idol Philippines” in 2022. He has since released original music and continued working as a singer and songwriter.
Ryssi Avila performed “Good For You,” written by Hazel Faith Santos. The song concerns ending harmful behavior and changing for the benefit of a relationship.
Avila is an R&B singer-songwriter who gained an audience through acoustic performances posted online. She was part of the YouTube duo Ry & Con before beginning a solo career. She received a Platinum Ticket and finished as the runner-up to KHIMO on the second season of “Idol Philippines.”
SAGA performed “Broken Beyond Repair,” written by Angelo Gonzales. The orchestral ballad addresses the end of a relationship and the experience of continuing to hold on after another person has moved forward.
SAGA is the performing name of John Mark Saga. He finished as the first runner-up during the third season of “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” He received standing ovations from the program’s judges and continued performing in concerts after the competition.
VVINK and WRIVE Russu performed “Round N’ Round,” written by Julius James de Belen and John Michael Conchada. The song concerns two people whose relationship follows different directions before bringing them together again.
VVINK is a five-member P-pop girl group under FlipMusic Records. Its members are Angelika, Ayaka, Jean, Mariel and Odri. The group entered the music industry in 2025 with the single “Tulala.”
Russu Laurente performs as WRIVE Russu and is a member of the P-pop collective WRIVE. He competed on the reality survival program “Dream Maker” and was a housemate on “Pinoy Big Brother.”
Vice Ganda hosted Philippine Selection Night. The entertainer is also one of the hosts of the ABS-CBN variety program “It’s Showtime” and has hosted television programs, concerts and other events.
Alexa Ilacad served as the green room host and interviewed the competing performers during the program. Ilacad is an actress, singer and television host who previously competed on “Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10.”
The Philippines became the third country to select its entry for the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia, following Bhutan and Malaysia.
Bhutan selected Nyendra to perform “Lhayi Semo,” translated as “The Angel.” Malaysia selected Aina Abdul as its representative.
Eurovision Song Contest Asia is the first multinational expansion of the Eurovision Song Contest format. The Nov. 14 Grand Final will be held at IdeaLive in Bangkok.
Thailand’s Channel 3 will serve as host broadcaster, working with the European Broadcasting Union, Voxovation and S2O Productions.
