🎙️ Nicole Laurel Asensio Makes History as First Philippine-Based Artist to Headline Café Carlyle Hong Kong Residency (June 18 to July 12, 2025)

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There are stories that don't just unfold — they arrive like music. Gentle, swelling, unexpected. And this June, one such melody will rise from a stage wrapped in red velvet, from a voice rooted in the heart of Manila.

Nicole Laurel Asensio, a singer, songwriter, and soul-bearing performer, becomes the first Philippine-based artist to take up a month-long residency at Café Carlyle in Hong Kong — a stage known for elegance, intimacy, and the quiet legacy of the legends who’ve come before.

🌍 A Journey from Manila to One of Asia’s Most Exclusive Stages

For nearly two decades, Nicole has carried her music across borders — from the London theater scene to jazz lounges in Tokyo, from festival crowds in Barcelona to candlelit sets in Kuala Lumpur. But this time is different.

This time, she isn’t passing through. This time, she stays.

From June 18 to July 12, 2025, Nicole will perform sixteen intimate shows at Café Carlyle, located inside Carlyle & Co., part of the Rosewood Hotel Group in Hong Kong. Modeled after its legendary New York counterpart, Café Carlyle Hong Kong is a place where music doesn’t just play — it lingers.

“I don’t have a manager or any big company behind me. So when something like this happens, I cry. I pray. And I thank the Lord because I know it’s Him.”
– Nicole Laurel Asensio

✉️ From Instagram DM to International Dream

Earlier this year, Nicole booked a short, quiet vacation to Hong Kong — a little time to breathe. On the very same day she locked in her flight, a message arrived in her inbox.

Francisco Ricafort, Director of Music and Artist Curation at Carlyle HK, reached out with a question that would change everything: “Have you ever considered performing at Café Carlyle?”

Nicole submitted performance reels. She flew with no expectations. By the time she landed, she had been invited to watch Sarah Potenza, Carlyle’s resident artist and a singer Nicole has long admired. And somewhere in the air between that show and that stage, the offer took form.

“The place was dripping in story. Every corner curated, every note saturated with soul. I didn’t need a drink — the sound alone got me high.”
– Nicole

🎶 A Setlist That Crosses Time and Borders

Nicole’s residency won’t just be a concert series — it will be a conversation between past and present. Her setlist is expected to include jazz classics, soulful reinterpretations, and original pieces, shaped by years of personal evolution and creative risk.

She’ll be joined by long-time collaborator and producer Gabe Dandan, whose musical fingerprints can be heard in Nicole’s recent releases like Bawal, What Matters Most, and Kiss Me Now. Together, they’ll craft a sound both rooted and radiant — with support from renowned international jazz musicians across each night of the residency.

“I love bringing pieces of home with me when I sing abroad. But I also allow each new place to leave its mark on me. It becomes a creative exchange. And this one feels sacred.”
– Nicole

🍽️ A Taste of Heritage on a Plate

To make the experience even more immersive, Café Carlyle’s culinary team will create a special menu inspired by Nicole’s Filipino heritage — allowing audiences to taste stories as well as hear them.

“There’s something so poetic about it — flavors that carry memory. Music you can eat. It’s a beautiful way to make people feel seen.”
– Nicole

🎭 A Residency Where Presence is the Performance

More than a booking, this residency is a moment in music history — a first not only for Nicole, but for all Filipino artists who dream of their voices crossing oceans without losing their accents.

“Nicole is a powerhouse. Her sound, her presence — it’s something you don’t forget. This residency will be unforgettable.”
– Francisco Ricafort, Director of Music & Artist Curation, Café Carlyle HK

❓ Quick Facts: Nicole Laurel Asensio’s Café Carlyle Hong Kong Residency


Who is Nicole Laurel Asensio?
A Filipina jazz artist, songwriter, and actress with 18 years of experience in theater, rock, and modern jazz. She is known for her soulful voice, lyrical storytelling, and genre-bending collaborations.

Where is she performing in June 2025?
Nicole will be performing at Café Carlyle, located inside Carlyle & Co., a private members’ club at the Rosewood Hotel in Hong Kong.

What makes this event historic?
Nicole is the first Philippine-based recording artist to take up an artist residency at Café Carlyle, Hong Kong — a stage inspired by the legendary New York supper club.

When is the residency happening?
From June 18 to July 12, 2025, with a total of sixteen performances throughout the month.

Who will she be performing with?
Nicole will be joined onstage by Filipino multi-instrumentalist and producer Gabe Dandan, along with a band of renowned international jazz musicians.

Where can I follow Nicole for updates?
Follow her on Instagram: @nicoleasensio

📍 Event Details

  • Artist: Nicole Laurel Asensio

  • Residency Dates: June 18 to July 12, 2025

  • Venue: Café Carlyle, Carlyle & Co., Rosewood Hotel Hong Kong

  • Performances: 16 live shows with jazz, soul, storytelling, and curated cuisine

🎟️ For schedule, ticketing, and behind-the-scenes updates, follow @nicoleasensio on Instagram or visit the official Café Carlyle Hong Kong channels.

✍️ About the Author

Saul de Jesus is a longtime advocate of Filipino musical artistry. With a passion for lyrical storytelling and soulful performance, he writes at the intersection of culture, narrative, and sound. Saul celebrates stories that carry emotional gravity and global possibility — especially when they begin at home.

📍 Based in Manila
🖋 Published on: June 3, 2025
🔁 Last updated: June 3, 2025


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