Filipino actor Paulo Avelino won the Outstanding Asian Star award at the Seoul International Drama Awards 2026 in South Korea. Garnering 43.63% of the global vote, Avelino was recognized for his role as Vincent Cabrera in the mystery-romance series “The Alibi,” delivering an emotional acceptance speech dedicated to production teams and fans.
Paulo Avelino Claims Outstanding Asian Star at Seoul International Drama Awards
The Kapamilya leading man secured the honor through strong global support, capturing 43.63% of the total fan vote cast via the Idol Champ app. The category was determined by fan voting, placing him among seven artists honored from six countries this year.
His victory for his performance as Vincent Cabrera in the mystery-romance series “The Alibi” marks a milestone for Philippine television on the global stage. The series, which he co-starred in with Kim Chiu, streams internationally on Prime Video.
Global Fan Voting and Continuing a Kapamilya Winning Streak
Avelino’s win extends a winning streak for ABS-CBN stars at the South Korean awards ceremony. Previous Filipino recipients of the same category include Belle Mariano in 2022, Kathryn Bernardo in 2023, Kim Chiu in 2024, and Daniel Padilla in 2025.
Online communities flooded social media platforms with congratulatory messages, including digital notes from regions like Baguio City. The mention of Kim Chiu’s name during the program further energized supporters, who celebrated the recognition of the network’s stars.
Emotional Acceptance Speech Recognizing the Crew and Supporters
Taking the stage, Avelino became emotional as he directed his gratitude toward the networks and production entities responsible for bringing the project to international audiences.
“First of all, I want to thank my home network, ABS-CBN, for the opportunity. I want to thank Dreamscape for creating the story of the show and my character, and Prime Video for bridging Filipino stories all over the world.”
Paulo Avelino, via Kami
Rather than focusing entirely on his own performance, the actor used his speech to shift the spotlight to the behind-the-scenes personnel who make television productions possible.
“Awards and trophies always remind me of the people who worked behind the scenes: the crew, production people, director, cinematographer, editor, colorist, and marketing.”
Paulo Avelino, via Kami
He concluded his remarks by addressing the dedicated viewers who campaigned, voted, and purchased cinema tickets to support his film and television projects over the years.
“To the fans who voted me, thank you so much. You’ve been there, you stuck through me, you’ve watched my shows, you’ve watched my movies, paid for the cinema, so I appreciate you, guys.”
Paulo Avelino, via Astig
Before achieving international recognition with his current series, the multi-awarded Filipino actor built a diverse career in television and film. He rose to fame after winning in GMA Network’s reality talent search StarStruck before transferring to ABS-CBN, where his career flourished through prominent television dramas such as Walang Hanggan and Bridges of Love. He also earned critical acclaim for portraying General Gregorio del Pilar in the historical film Heneral Luna, establishing his reputation as one of the industry’s respected leading men.