This 2023, SB19 has made some big changes and hit several milestones as they continue to blaze their way through the world. As their 5th anniversary nears, here’s how they’re coming into an exciting new era.

Related: What The Launch Of 1Z Entertainment Means For The Future Of SB19

There’s no doubt that five-member Filipino pop group SB19 continues to be an unstoppable force of nature. Championing Filipino talent going global, the group is achieving milestone after milestone as they continue to chase their dreams and pave the way for local acts.

This year, from the release of their second EP Pagtatag! to their new, personal podcast, SB19 has embarked on another journey as a unit and as musicians—and they show no signs of slowing down. Half a decade in the business has not dulled their artistry, their love for their fans, and their desire to tell their story. As they near their fifth anniversary, the group is reaching towards new heights while remaining grounded to who they are. So this October, Pablo, Stell, Justin, Ken, and Josh promise an entire month of events celebrating how far they’ve come, and how much farther they’re going to go.

BIGGER AND BOLDER

@officialsb19 1 day ‘til the release of PAGTATAG! EP. Mag GENTO GENTO muna tayo while waiting. 🫣 #SB19PAGTATAG #PAGTATAG #SB19 #SB19GENTO #GENTO ♬ GENTO – SB19

What else signifies going bigger and bolder than SB19’s absolute hit Gento? The song, which went staggeringly viral, was covered by a whole slew of K-Pop idols and reached two Billboard charts. There’s no doubt it marked a full-circle moment for the group given that they were inspired and influenced by global acts. The success of Gento was also accompanied by the success of their second international tour across the Philippines and North America.

TAKING CONTROL

In a video all about the new direction SB19 is taking to achieve their dreams, the band explained that starting their own company 1Z Entertainment was a move to take control of their work and their future. The band has always been hands-on with their projects, and this move ensures they have more of a say in their craft. 1Z Entertainment isn’t just something for SB19, though—they envision it as a way to make changes in the Filipino music industry.

A FRESH START

A huge shoutout to everyone who joined us at Pepsi Pulse 2023! We had a blast and hope you did too! It was truly special to be part of the grand reveal of Pepsi's new logo, the very first worldwide launch that happened here in Philippines! What a fresh start, indeed the beginning… pic.twitter.com/Ud119hQGEQ

— SB19 Official ⚠️ (@SB19Official) October 8, 2023

It’s fitting that one of SB19’s events this October was Pepsi Pulse 2023, a launch aptly themed Be Part Of A New Era. The group headlined the event, performing in their usual explosive manner. As they celebrated a new era with the brand, one can’t help but think about how the band itself was celebrating their own new era after they left old management and started down their own path.

HALF A DECADE WITH A’TIN

X/SB19Official

One of the major October events the group has in store is the One Zone: SB19 Half a Decade Celebration Fanmeet! On October 28, 2023 at the Araneta Coliseum the band will host a special anniversary fanmeet for their beloved A’TINs to celebrate all that they’ve achieved in the last five years and everything more to come.

BEING HONEST AND PERSONAL

Instagram/officialsb19

As fans, we mostly see our idols performing or joking around in variety shows. It’s always special when they take time to share their honest thoughts and opinions, perspectives, and advice, whether through a livestream or episodes from Mindset by DIVE Studios. Similarly, another October special from SB19 features a peek into the members’ lives and minds as they start their own podcast, Atin Atin Lang, where they’ll be having open and honest conversations about “life, career, and everything else amongst themselves” every Monday this October on Spotify. The first episode is all about “Finding and Losing Relationships,” a relevant subject befitting those of us who are embarking on new journeys ourselves.

Continue Reading: Songs To Listen To On SB19’s PAGTATAG! EP Based On Your Mood

Zild from IV of Spades, releases a new song, Kyusi, that will take you back to simpler days. With his unstoppable quest to find his own thing, he brings his music to its roots; a memory from his first love.

Without a doubt, the times are oft-confusing and challenging, and the past year has seen more than a fair share of trials and tribulations anywhere and everywhere. And understandably, there are those who quit, fold to the pressure and there are those—like singer/songwriter Zild—who thrive and reveal an unmatched focus and productivity like no other.

RELATED: Meet BGYO, P-Pop’s Breakout Boy Group

Last February 10, Zild released his latest single, Kyusi. As he describes, “it’s a song that takes me back to my 18-year-old self, experiencing teenage love for the very first time.”

The track is a steady, pulsating combination of dreamy harmonies with layers of lush vocals and organic layers – compared to his previous electronic/synthesizer-flavored sound. When asked if the song’s goal was to feel nostalgic, Zild says, “Wala naman siyang goal nung una. Yun pala, subconsciously, gusto kong balikan yung times na bago pa lahat yung mga emotions.”

This new perspective of Zild was something he was afraid of telling at first. With the sudden hiatus of his band, IV of Spades, he decided to take a more personal route where he can fully express himself. “For the past five years, puro tungkol lang sa banda yung ginagawa ko. Ngayon, nare-revisit ko na kung sino talaga ako na walang kasamang ibang tao,” he details. “Dine-define ko kasi dati yung sarili ko sa isang theme o isang concept, sa isang unit… ngayon parang, kung sino lang talaga ako.“

Zild shares that the message of the song was about acceptance. “Diba nga binabalikan ko yung mga firsts? Bukod sa nostalgia, tungkol din siya sa acceptance sa isang tao na hindi niya kailangan baguhin kung sino siya,” he said.

First dates are tough and leaving an impression matters, Zild addresses. “Human nature naman siya na parang mas maging presentable. Mas maging cool or pretty. Okay naman yun, pero naranasan ko kasi na mismo siya, hindi kumakain ng french fries sa harap ko,” he said, smiling at the memory. “Kaya naisip ko, hindi mo kailangan baguhin kung sino ka.”

The release of Kyusi is the first in a series of new singles released every two weeks culminating in a full-length album under Rico Blanco’s Balcony Entertainment label and management group.

“Parang kaibigan na rin talaga yung tingin ko sakanya,” Zild says as he talks about his newfound mentor and ally, Rico Blanco, whom he says is a chill person who doesn’t force him to a sound that isn’t like him. He said that the most important lesson Rico taught him was to just enjoy music. “Minsan kasi parang big deal siya [song writing]. Nakakalimutan mo minsan na kid ka lang. Siguro yun yung pinakamagandang advice na dadalhin ko.”

As for the return of IV of Spades, he says that the band doesn’t have any plans to get back together just yet. “Wala kaming plan. Focus muna kami sa sarili namin,” he nods.