The Philippines is set to take part in the first Eurovision Song Contest held on the Asian continent, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), global entertainment company Voxovation, and S2O Productions announced earlier this week.
According to the contest website, ABS-CBN will be the network in charge of selecting the country’s entrant in the upcoming contest, that will be held in Thailand in November.
The announcement of the Asian version of the contest came less than two months before the regular contest, which will be held in Vienna, Austria in May.
“From national selection shows across Asia to a live Grand Final in Bangkok, packed with lights, sound and unstoppable energy — this is where the region comes together,” the Eurovision website said of the event.
Apart from the Philippines, other participating countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, South Korea, Vietnam, and hosts Thailand.
Other countries such as Japan, China, and India have yet to follow. Australia, which is in the Asia Pacific region, had been taking part in the main Eurovision Song Contest since 2015, the last time the contest was held in the Austrian capital.
An Asian version of the annual contest had been planned as early as 2007 but never materialized, however shows like the ABU TV Song Festival were non-competitive in nature.
“As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity and talent. This is about evolving Eurovision together with Asia, building something that reflects the voices, identities and ambitions of the region, while staying true to what has always made the Contest special,” said Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green.
“Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who make it their own, continuing our shared journey of being United by Music,” he added.
Last year, Filipino Austrian singer JJ won the Eurovision Song Contest for Austria in Davos, Switzerland and was also seen performing on ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show “ASAP” in the United Kingdom and in the Philippines.
Austria was also represented by former ASAP performer Vincent Bueno in 2021, but did not advance to the final.
The first Eurovision Song Contest Asia is set to be hosted in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 14, while the main contest in Europe will take place on May 12, 14, and 16 in Vienna, with 35 countries across Europe and Australia taking part.
Started in 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest, an annual song competition in Europe, was known for producing stars such as Julio Iglesias, ABBA, Celine Dion, Lulu and Cliff Richard.
