Philippines’ Carmelle storms to victory in Eurovision Asia debut in Bangkok

KUALA LUMPUR: Aina Abdul, a talented Malaysian vocalist, achieved a remarkable fourth-place finish at the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand. Performing as the final act on the night, Aina captivated the audience with her powerful rendition of the self-penned ballad, "Bluest Sky." She earned an impressive total score of 152 points, with 82 points from the professional jury and 70 points from the public vote.

The Philippines' Carmelle emerged victorious with 211 points after an energetic performance of "Sobra-Sobra." The prestigious trophy was presented by the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 winner, Dara of Bulgaria. Thailand's Mang x Daou secured the second position with 170 points for "Aroma," while Vietnam's Tóc Tiên came in third with 164 points for "Em Tiên."

Despite facing competition from 11 nations, including South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, Aina's performance left a lasting impact on the audience. The contest, organized by renowned Malaysian musician Mac Chew, featured the visually stunning "Bluest Sky," inspired by Aina's beloved pet cat, Hiro. The theme of the song explored the overwhelming nature of deep love that is difficult to let go.

Aina expressed her immense joy at representing Malaysia at the Asia Eurovision for the first time, having followed the iconic contest since her idol Céline Dion competed. She also praised her striking dress, created by longtime collaborator Melinda Looi, which featured shimmering white, turquoise blue, and translucent tones. The dress brought to life a water-themed concept, with a giant water-droplet prop and dramatic LED visuals transforming the stage from a single droplet into surging waves.

Following her standout victory at the 40th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL40), Aina represented Malaysia after her impressive performance. Fans supported her back home through live broadcasts on official broadcaster TV3 and streaming platform Tonton. Malaysian labor union president Datuk Freddie Fernandez commended Aina's world-class performance, stating that the top four acts delivered a fierce competition.

The five Malaysian jurors, including AG Coco, Justin Seow, Iman Tang, Bobby Husaini, and Shamshul Azree Samshir, accurately predicted Aina's strong showing, acknowledging the high benchmark she set for Malaysian artists.