The Philippines’ “New Gen Pop Diva” is officially going global! Carmelle Collado is gearing up to raise our flag at the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia this year, and best believe we’ll be cheering her on every step of the way.
Photo: Carmelle/Instagram
When it comes to global acclaim, trust that the Filipino music scene will always deliver. The scope of our homegrown talents has grown tremendously over the years, and our ten phenomenal entries to Eurovision Asia makes that point clear as day.
On August 30, 2026, some of the most promising acts in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and Pinoy Pop (P-pop) joined forces to bring these tracks to life onstage. Each one left the whole country in awe, but only one reigned victorious as the country’s representative to the ground-breaking international competition this November.
View this post on Instagram
Carmelle helped “Sobra-sobra” go from a winning song to an empowering embodiment of Pinoy pride. Filipinas from all walks of life can draw inspiration from this upbeat anthem, which champions how we defy judgment and rise above the negativity that surrounds us every day.
View this post on Instagram
Joining Carmelle in Bangkok for Eurovision Asia in November are the visionary minds behind “Sobra-sobra,” Nica del Rosario and Mat Olavides of FlipMusic Records. Nica’s songwriting prowess has cemented her status as a mainstay in OPM and P-pop, having written generational hits like BINI’s “Karera” and Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala,” to name a few. Mat Olavides has also held his own as a producer and DJ who has helped mount a wide variety of remarkable projects in the industry.
View this post on Instagram
Nica and Mat anchored “Sobra-sobra” on women empowerment, as well as the liberating and purposeful beliefs that uplift Filipinas across every generation. Who better to drive that message home than a Gen Z trailblazer like Carmelle, who isn’t afraid to forge her own path as a well-rounded artist?
This November, Carmelle and the “Sobra-sobra” team will share the stage with Eurovision Asia’s representatives from Bhutan, Malaysia, South Korea, Nepal, Laos, Thailand, and Bangladesh. No matter the outcome, we’re already immensely proud of how far Carmelle has come, and how brightly the Philippines has shone on the map of global music.
ALSO READ: SB19’s “Wakas at Simula” Finale Was One of the Best Concerts I’ve Experienced
Biggest congratulations to Carmelle and “Sobra-sobra!” What do you love most about our bet for Eurovision Asia? Sound off and share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message on WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team, join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated on the latest from the Philippines and beyond!
