It’s not every day you see someone with Filipino roots rise above Europe’s brightest stars. But that’s exactly what happened at the 2025 Eurovision Contest held in Basel, Switzerland. This year’s grand prize went to 24-year-old Filipino-Austrian singer JJ, whose operatic techno anthem Wasted Love left audiences stunned—and Filipinos glowing with pride.
His win was no fluke. JJ, born Johannes Pietsch in Vienna to an Austrian father and a Filipina mother, grew up surrounded by music. His early childhood was spent in Dubai, where he was exposed to a mix of cultures that would later shape his unique artistic voice. At age 16, he moved back to Austria and began formal vocal training, eventually studying classical voice at Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien (MUK).
Before Eurovision, JJ was no stranger to the stage. He performed in various productions at the Vienna State Opera, impressing both classical audiences and modern pop fans. His background in opera gave him the vocal control and range to tackle emotionally demanding material—skills that served him well on Eurovision night.
He commanded the stage with a performance that blended classically trained vocals with a futuristic pulse. The song was intense and theatrical, but still human. It was clear: he wasn’t just there to perform. He came to tell a story—one about heartbreak, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to love and lose.
Highlights of the 2025 Eurovision Contest
This year’s contest featured a diverse field. Sweden brought camp and chaos with their quirky “sauna song” (yes, there were towels and steam on stage). France leaned into delicate romance with a chanson about memory. Germany delivered a politically charged ballad. But perhaps the most emotionally charged moment of the night came from Israel’s Yuval Raphael.
Yuval, just 21, is a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre in 2023, one of the darkest moments in recent Israeli history. Her song, New Day Will Rise, wasn’t just about loss—it was about surviving. Her minimalist performance, stripped of glitter or backup dancers, centered around one voice and one message: that hope endures even in the face of unspeakable trauma. The public responded. She placed second, winning the televote by a wide margin.
Meanwhile, JJ swept the jury votes, placing first overall with 436 points and delivering Austria’s third Eurovision title. During the press conference, he didn’t just thank the audience—he spoke from the heart: “Love is never wasted. Not when it’s real.” It was an echo of the song’s aching message, and it hit home for many.
Filipino Talent Finds the Spotlight
JJ’s win isn’t just a personal achievement—it adds to a growing list of Filipino artists who’ve found success far beyond the archipelago. Think of Lea Salonga, who conquered Broadway and Disney. Or Bruno Mars, born to a Filipino mother and known for his Grammy-stacked career. H.E.R., with her soulful voice and powerful lyrics, also proudly traces her roots to the Philippines.
Even in visual art, Pacita Abad’s works now hang in major global museums. And in sports, Hidilyn Diaz lifted more than weights—she lifted the entire nation’s spirit at the Tokyo Olympics.
