Ever since it was announced that the first Eurovision Asia song competition would be happening this year, local music fans have been wondering who will be the country’s representative for the event. With the vast pool of talent available, there are a lot of options to choose from. And finally, we have our answer in a young but extremely talented singer ready to take the spotlight, as Carmelle Collado will represent the country at Eurovision Asia and make history along the way.
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Carmelle Collado Is Going to Eurovision Asia
Last August 30, ten Filipino acts took to the stage to perform their original songs at the New Frontier Theater for the Pili, Pinas! Philippine Selection Night. The event determined which of the participating songs and artists would be chosen as the country’s pick for Eurovision Asia.
In the end, that honor went to Carmelle Collado and the track Sobra-Sobra, which was composed by Nica del Rosario, who is the mastermind behind hit tracks such as Sarah Geronimo’s Tala and BINI’s Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi, and Mat Olavides, who has co-produced BINI bops like Salamin, Salamin, Pantropiko, and Karera, after the song received the highest score that was decided through 40% jury vote, 40% Philippine public vote, and 20% international vote.
Collado is the first-ever contender for the Philippines at the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia. She’ll compete in Bangkok, Thailand on November 14 for a chance to take home the win for the country at Eurovision Asia against ten other competing nations. Fittingly, the country’s inaugural entry to the first Eurovision Song Contest Asia is an unapologetic anthem of women’s empowerment. In the pop track, Collado confidently sings and raps lines about defying expectations, uplifting Filipinas, and inspiring them to hold their head high.
When there are those who demean women for being over the top, ambitious, outspoken, or doing too much, Sobra-Sobra turns those insults into compliments about how women shouldn’t feel ashamed about owning every space they are in. Adding to the song’s charm is its use of traditional Philippine instruments, such as the kubing and kulintang, as well as other ethnic and tribal sounds, making for a Eurovision-ready track with a Filipino heart.
Another Win for the Rising Star
The moment marks the latest achievement for what has been a breakthrough year for Collado. The Camarines Sur native has been surrounded by music all her life, and in 2019, she took that love to the stage by competing in The Voice Kids Season 4. Even at just 12 years old, Collado’s talent was already evident, given that she finished as first runner-up under Team Bamboo.
In 2025, Collado participated in her next major televised singing competition when she joined and subsequently won It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown. Collado is also no stranger to representing the Philippines at international competitions as she once served as the country’s representative at the World Championships of Performing Arts in California.
Most may know Collado, though, as a housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0, who entered the house with the moniker Riles Diva ng Camarines Sur. She quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her wit, humor, and outgoing personality and just barely missed making it to the Top 4, being evicted on Day 120. These days, viewers can catch Collado on variety programs such as ASAP, where her vocals and stage presence do all the talking.
The Gen Z singer will be up against stiff competition this November, but we have a feeling Collado is going to make a great first impression. Eurovision, after all, is about making the biggest and best impact on audiences, something Collado is no stranger to doing. And regardless of what may eventually happen, Collado can still take pride in having her name in the history books as the first-ever Philippine representative at the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia.
Featured Image: Photographed by FILTRA SHOTS (via Instagram)
Photo: CARMELLE COLLADO (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Carmelle Collado will represent the Philippines at the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia, becoming the country’s first-ever contender after winning the Pili, Pinas! Philippine Selection Night on August 30 with her song “Sobra-Sobra.”
“Sobra-Sobra,” composed by Nica del Rosario and Mat Olavides, is an anthem of women’s empowerment, with Collado singing and rapping about defying expectations and owning space, backed by traditional Philippine instruments like the kubing and kulintang.
The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia takes place in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 14, where Carmelle Collado will compete against ten other participating nations for the Philippines.
Collado finished as first runner-up on The Voice Kids Season 4 in 2019, won It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown in 2025, and represented the Philippines at the World Championships of Performing Arts.
Yes. Collado appeared on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 as “Riles Diva ng Camarines Sur,” becoming a fan favorite before being evicted on Day 120, just short of the Top 4.
