Eurovision Asia: The queer Australian connection behind Philippine selection song Sobra-Sobra
- Dale Roberts
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Carmelle’s Sobra-Sobra has emerged as one of the fan favourites ahead of the Philippines’ first Eurovision Asia selection, but behind the song is a beautiful queer connection to Australia
One of the song’s writers, Nica del Rosario, travelled to Sydney in 2022 to marry her partner Justine Peña.
They did this so they could legally marry in Australia, something they could not do at home in the Philippines.
Nica and Justine tied the knot in Sydney in August 2022, with photos from the ceremony showing the couple overlooking Sydney Harbour.
But while the wedding was a joyful occasion, Justine spoke before the ceremony about the difficult reality that awaited them when they returned home.
“When I sign any legal documents back home, I’ll still have to mark myself as ‘single.’”
Justine described it as a “sad reality”, but said they remained hopeful that one day Philippine law would change.
“For now, we’ll keep fighting by loving freely and openly.”
Six months after their legal wedding in Australia, Nica and Justine celebrated their marriage again in the Philippines.
Around 150 family members and friends attended their February 2023 ceremony in Cavite, including former Philippines vice president Leni Robredo.
One of the names behind some huge Filipino songs
For Eurovision Asia fans, Nica may now become a much more familiar name.
She has been writing and producing Filipino pop music for more than a decade, including co-writing Sarah Geronimo’s massive hit Tala.
More recently, Nica has become closely associated with BINI, writing songs including Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi and Karera.
She is also an artist in her own right and became particularly prominent during the 2022 Philippine presidential election through Rosas, associated with Leni Robredo’s campaign.
Nica has also been open about her queer identity, with her relationship with Justine and her music becoming part of her advocacy for LGBTQIA+ equality.
Now comes Sobra-Sobra
Four years after marrying in Sydney, Nica is one of the writers behind a song that could make another piece of Philippine history.
Alongside Mat Olavides, Nica wrote Carmelle’s Sobra-Sobra, one of the songs competing at Pili, Pinas!: Philippine Selection Night.
The song has emerged as one of the fan favourites ahead of the selection, where the winner will become the Philippines’ first representative at Eurovision Song Contest Asia.
Philippine Selection Night will take place on Sunday 30 August 2026 in Manila, Philippines, with the show beginning at 21:45 Philippine Standard Time (PHT).
For audiences in Melbourne and Sydney, the broadcast will begin at 23:45 AEST. The show will be available to watch live on the Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.
For continued updates on all the Eurovision Song Contest news follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and TikTok. All links at: https://linktr.ee/aussievisionnet
