The Philippine national selections for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest Asia have been announced later this year, according to executives of the network responsible for the country’s first entrant.
ABS-CBN music head Roxy Liquigan confirmed the development during a Manila live viewing of the recently-concluded grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Vienna, Austria.
“The Philippines is excited not only to share our own music to the world, but also to celebrate and appreciate the incredible artistry that the world shares with us,” Liquigan said.
“With ABS-CBN leading the Philippines’ highly-anticipated debut in the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia, team Philippines is also thrilled for our first-ever Eurovision Asia national selection this year, marking an exciting new chapter in Philippine music,” he added.
The national selections for the contest will take place sometime in August, according to Liquigan.
Liquigan was joined by Executive Producer Mharky Iral, Head of Integrated Acquisition at ABS-CBN Rachel Palomar, AVP/Creative Director of ABS-CBN Music Jonathan Manalo, ABS-CBN Events Head Dara Chiang, and CEO/Creative Director of Playback Content Factory Corp. Jessamae Samson.
As the recently-concluded grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest was held on Saturday evening in Vienna, the Austrian embassy held a live viewing party at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium at Luneta in Manila early on Sunday, and was also organized by Pilipinas Calling, a dedicated Facebook page for the contest’s fans in the Philippines.
Bulgaria, with the song “Bangaranga” by the singer Dara, won the grand finals in the Austrian capital on Saturday, with 516 points. Next year’s contest is set to be held in Bulgaria, as a result of their victory.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia is set to be held at the IdeaLive in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 14, 2026, with 10 countries taking part, including the Philippines. ARIC JOHN SY CUA
