The Sobra-Sobra factor will continue to rise even after the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026’s Philippine Selection Night, as Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0’s Riles Diva, singer-songwriter, and Philippine representative Carmelle Collado will deliver her powerful vocals, rapid-fire rap, and Filipino elements at the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, for its Grand Final on November 14, 2026.
Behind the country’s song entry to the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, Sobra-Sobra are Mat Olavides and Nica del Rosario, with songwriters whose credits include hits sung and popularized by the P-Pop group and the nation’s girl group BINI, and singer-songwriter Sarah Geronimo.
I hope Carmelle’s journey can show the rest of the world that world-class Filipino talent comes in all shapes and sizes. We are not limited to one sound nor one kind of performer, Nica del Rosario shared.
Apart from Carmelle’s Sobra-Sobra, Nica del Rosario was known as the co-writer for hit singles Tala, sung by Sarah Geronimo, and Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi, popularized by BINI, which was heard as the eviction song for Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 back in 2024.
May Filipino elements like kulintang and kubing, but we also incorporated Latin influences. I think that combination reflects how Filipino music has always been shaped by different cultures while still developing its own identity, Mat Olavides said, on how the song Sobra-Sobra pairs a message of confidence and self-worth with a lively mix of musical influences. Mat co-wrote BINI’s Salamin Salamin and co-produced Pantropiko.
It’s about knowing your worth, being confident in who you are, and not letting other people define you. Kahit iba-iba ang language and culture natin, I think those are emotions and experiences that many people can relate to. The energy of the song also makes it fun and easy to connect with, even if you don’t understand every word, he added.
Nica also shared about the elements contributed by Carmelle, whose voice and performance style give the Philippine entry its character, and shared that her distinct high, powerful belt and rapid-fire rapping are also the elements that are very Filipino that they hope the Asian audience can appreciate.
Carmelle Collado earned the chance to represent the Philippines in the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, competing with Nyendra from Bhutan, Beatmosphere from Bangladesh, Thinla from Laos, Aina Abdul from Malaysia, Beck from Mongolia, Pratik Himal Rai from Nepal, Junhee from South Korea, Mang and Daou from Thailand, and Toc Tien from Vietnam, with Cambodia to soon select a singer-representative for the song contest on October 17, 2026.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia is the inaugural Asian season of Europe’s most-watched song contest led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Voxovation, with its Grand Final taking place at the One Bangkok Forum on November 14, 2026.
ABS-CBN serves as the official broadcast partner for the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 in the Philippines. The live broadcast for the song contest’s grand final will air on several ABS-CBN platforms on the day of the contest.
As for Carmelle Collado, ABS-CBN Music has recently submitted a nomination consideration for the Grammy Awards’ Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for her song Morena. ABS-CBN Music also submitted a similar consideration for other artists, including BINI, Baby Dolls, Maymay Entrata, and Khimo Gumatay.
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© 2026 DRPS Philippine Commercial Archives (DRPS PHCA). All rights reserved. PHCA CID: PHCA-2026H2-6271/October 15, 2026.
