Filipino singer Carmelle storms to victory in Eurovision Asia debut in Bangkok

BANGKOK — Filipino singer Carmelle won the first Asian edition of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with a fiery performance of her dance-pop song “Sobra-Sobra.”

The 19-year-old beat 10 other acts in the grand final in Bangkok, with the winner chosen through votes from national juries in participating countries and viewers worldwide.

After her victory, Carmelle said her song celebrated female empowerment and was intended as “a tribute to all Filipino women.”

“I made history, since this was the first time,” she told The Associated Press. “It’s such a big responsibility for me, because this one is a global stage, so thank you everybody who voted for me.”

Thai duo Mang x Daou finished second with an energetic performance of the romantic pop song “Aroma.” Vietnam’s Tóc Tiên placed third with a lively, stylish rendition of “Em Tiên.”

Malaysia’s Aina Abdul took fourth with her powerful ballad “Bluest Sky.” Thinla of Laos finished fifth with “Bae,” a playful dance track that had the audience dancing whenever it was replayed during the show.

Bhutan, South Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Cambodia and Bangladesh also competed.

Contestants made their entrances aboard tuk-tuks, the motorized three-wheeled vehicles common in Bangkok’s tourist districts. They waved…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world