BANGKOK: A teenage pop star from the Philippines won the first Asia edition of Eurovision on Nov 14 after a night of power ballads, pop-dance hits and pyrotechnics from the makers of the cult European kitsch fest.

Carmelle, 19, was crowned queen of the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia in Bangkok for her performance of Sobra-Sobra (Too Much), a shoutout to strong women.

Host Thailand finished a close second, followed by Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos, with Nepal, Cambodia and Bangladesh languishing at the bottom of the points table.

Eleven countries had joined the competition that organisers hope will start a new chapter for Eurovision, a cultural phenomenon in Europe for its lavish outfits, soaring vocals – and sometimes tricky geopolitics.