SB19 shares advice to other P-pop groups ahead of world tour

With the success the Filipino boy band is now enjoying, it is hard to believe that just four years ago, SB19 was living a life far from comfort.

Getting to meet them during their debut year and comparing to how they are now as we recently sat down with the P-pop kings, I can say that so much has improved with their overall look and getup. What remains the same though is their good energy and humility.

Josh, Stell, Pablo, Ken and Justin still greeted us in the soft-spoken Filipino manner and we can say that success did not bolster their ego.

The boys are about to embark on their first-ever world tour, which kicks off today, Sept. 17, at the Araneta Coliseum. It will be followed by a Cebu concert on Oct. 1. Then, SB19 is off to Clark on Oct. 8; Davao, Oct. 15; Dubai, Oct. 29; New York, Nov. 5; Los Angeles, Nov. 12; and Singapore, Nov. 27.

The author with Justin, Ken, Josh, Stell and Pablo..

The P-pop kings still could not believe that they are starting their journey to finally meet their fans, A’tins, who have been messaging them and supporting them tirelessly from all over the world.

“Nakaka-pressure po kasi ito pa ata iyong kauna-unahang time na may Filipino tour sa P-pop po, at first time din namin lalabas ng bansa, sa US po! (We feel pressured because this is probably the first time for a P-pop group to have a tour and it’s our first time to perform abroad, in the US). At nagpapasalamat (kami) sa A’tins (fans) dahil hindi kami magkaka-world tour kung hindi dahil sa kanila (We’re thankful to A’tins because without them, the world tour wouldn’t be possible),” Justin shared.

The VIP treatment is set to be laid down for SB19 as the shows are getting sold out by the day. The members are also very proud of how far their music travels to make fans happy. Josh even recalled the hardships of their daily lives before.

“Dati kasi commute po ng malala, lalakad ako, pila sa jeep Ortigas at Pasig. ‘Pag rush hour alam mo na maglalakad ka na talaga! So ngayon po nakaka-gaan-gaan na kahit papaano. May kotse na po (Before I would commute and stand in line for a jeep ride in Ortigas and Pasig. When it’s rush hour, you know you have to walk. Now, things are getting easier somehow. I already have a car),” Josh added. “Nakakapasok na kami sa training na hindi mamamatay o pagod na pagod sa commute. (We’re able to attend our training without feeling very tired from the commute).”

The group also told us that besides the beautiful music that they put out, what matters to them is the inspiration they impart to their fandom, the A’tins.

Pablo emphasized how important it is for the group to touch lives. “Kasi sinasabi nila guys, pumasa ako ng board dahil sa inyo. Yung iba sinasabi maayos na mental health ko. Sumagip sa akin music niyo. So, lalo po na strengthen purpose namin as a group, mas-na-inspire din kami (They would tell us, ‘Guys, I passed my board exam because of you,’ while others would say, ‘My mental health is better now. Your music saved me.’ So, the more our purpose as a group is strengthened and we are more inspired.)”

SB19 may lead the pack of P-pop acts, but they said that they share their success with the whole community.

“Thankful kami sa kanila na they took the risk na ito dahil kung hindi rin dahil sa kanila hindi rin naman makikilala ang P-pop (We are thankful to them that they took the risk because if it wasn’t for them, P-pop wouldn’t even be recognized),” Josh said.

“ Sabi ni Stell sa WYAT (our new single), it takes a village. Hindi naman namin kaya as SB19 lang na i-angat ang P-pop industry na mag-isa lang, kailangan talaga ng alliances at isa iyon sa key para matupad iyon at maging successful itong journey na ito. (As Stell said in WYAT, it takes a village. We can’t lift the P-pop industry alone as SB19. We really need alliances and that’s one of the keys to accomplish that and make this journey successful.)”

He also added as a reminder to other groups: “Ituloy lang din po ang pangarap dahil alam namin ang iba ay frustrated. Iyong iba, they’ve tried na maglabas ng something new, pero hindi talaga successful. Nagdaan din po kami doon, ituloy lang po at makukuha natin ang success balang araw. (Just keep pursuing the dream because we know others are frustrated. They’ve tried to release something new, but it wasn’t really successful. But we also went through that. So, just keep going and you will enjoy success one day.”

After the US and Asia, SB19 will head to Europe, where the group feels that their music needs to be discovered more by many.