SB19’s ‘Pagtatag’ shows their determination to leave a lasting legacy
SB19 members (from left) Ken, Justin, Josh, Pablo, Stell. Image: Twitter/SB19
“Pagtatag” is SB19’s promise to create a lasting legacy in music. And prior to the album’s release, a manifesto was released to establish their goal of becoming an inspiration to fellow artists.
‘Gusto naming ma-inspire ang mga tao and ‘yung mga nagsu-surround [sa’min] na pagpursigihin namin ang ginagawa sa buhay para maka-create ng something na maganda talaga at makikita ang resulta sa buong mundo,” Pablo, the group’s leader, said during their album launch earlier this month.
The year 2023 has been busy for SB19—their latest album has been released, the group went on a series of promotional activities, and they recently held their “Pagtatag” kick-off concert last June 24-25, which drew thousands of fans coming from different parts of the world. Behind the scenes, they were also setting up their own label 1Z Entertainment as self-managed artists.
This explains why “Pagtatag” feels edgier and more personal to Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin. On the other hand, their previous record “Pagsibol” is them “trying to experiment and figure out who [they] are.”
SB19 members (from left) Ken, Pablo, Justin, Stell, Josh. Image: Sony Music Philippines
“Ito ang gusto naming ilabas [sa ‘Pagtatag’]. Ganito ang naging dating namin. Ito ‘yung nararamdaman namin. Ito ‘yung story ng SB19 kung bakit namin kailangan ibahin or i-mold para mas magustuhan ng mga tao. Pero siyempre, hindi naman siya SB19 lang,” Pablo said.
“Maraming tao ang tumulong sa’min. Marami ang gumagabay sa’min para ma-convey or maiparamdam sa tao kung anong meaning, musically and sonically, for this EP. Para hindi lang namin masabi na may freedom kami, talagang sigurado kami sa nailabas namin,” he continued.
The album—which is the second part of a trilogy—contains six tracks: “Gento,” “I Want You,” “Crimzone,” “Ilaw,” “Liham” and “Freedom.” The final record in the three-part series called “Simula at Wakas” will be released “soon,” according to the youngest member, Justin. However, they remain mum about the details as of this writing.
“From our story in ‘Pagsibol’ kung paano kami mag-grow, this time sa ‘Pagtatag,’ ganito kami as SB19. Ito si SB19. Makikita sa kwento ng mga songs [na] ganito ang nangyari sa SB19. Ganito na sila ngayon. Tinatanong natin sa ‘Pagsibol’ ang ‘What?’ which uses a question mark. Sino si SB19? Ano si SB19?” he said while referring to the group’s 2021 single “What?”
“Sa ‘Pagtatag,’ sinagot na natin ang mga tanong na ‘yun. ‘Gento’ si SB19. Ginto si SB19,” Justin continued, an apparent reference to their hit single “Gento.”
‘Pagtatag’ songs
Back in December, Stell told the press that the album was meant to deliver a “rollercoaster of emotions.” And while the quintet achieved their goal, every member has his own favorite track in the album.
Pablo admitted that “Ilaw” is “very personal” for him, as he can’t help but think of his own experiences when he brought the song to life. The ballad, which was described by the group as a “raw rendition,” is a hodgepodge of emotions all at once—frustration, anger, pain and resignation to dark thoughts. Perhaps, it’s one of the reasons why he and Josh were crying while performing the song during their kick-off show.
“As I wrote the song, parang naiimagine ko talaga ‘yung situation ko kung paano ko siya naiisip. ‘Yung pag-uwi ko sa bahay tapos hinahanap ko ‘yung susi ko pero ayoko pang umuwi,” he continued. “Parang nadidinig ko ‘yung lyrics na ‘yun, parang bumabalik ‘yung memories ng nangyari sa’kin noong time na ‘to. ‘Yung parang, ayoko nang umuwi kasi mag-isa na naman ako.”
Josh said he initially wanted to mention “Ilaw” because he relates to its meaning. But he also shared that the headbanger “Crimzone” feels personal as well.
“Handpicked song ko siya talaga. Kapag may gusto kang marating, hindi pwede ang walang pain. Ganoon talaga, no pain, no gain, you have to work your way up through blood sweat and tears. ‘Yun din ang ginawa ng SB19,” he added.
Meanwhile, Justin, who was noticeably teary-eyed during his performance in the concert, maintained that “Ilaw” is his top pick from the album. “Hindi ako sasagot ng ibang kanta kasi ‘Ilaw’ talaga for me. For me kasi personally, nagkaroon ng time or phase na parang ayoko nang pumasok sa work as SB19. Iniisip ko na sa part ko na pwede ba, isang linggong break, masyado na akong na-overwhelm,” he said.
“Na-imagine ko sa kanta is ‘yung lahat ng ilaw na nakatutok sa’min as an artist na parang nabubulag na ako at the same time, ‘yung taong nakatingin sa’min, nabubulag na. Hindi na nila nakikita ‘yung tunay na ako,” Justin continued, before taking a short pause.
At the time, he might’ve seen the writer’s concerned expression during his response since he swore that he feels better now. “Nagkaroon ako ng phase na ‘yun before pero nalampasan na, freedom na.”
The group’s youngest member also revealed that if he had a chance, he would introduce himself using “Freedom” because it fits his personality.
“‘Yung personality ko talaga ay very dependent ako sa ibang tao. Gusto ko laging nang may kasama. Hindi ko kayang gawin ang mga bagay na mag-isa lang ako, and something like that,” he added.
SB19 members (from left) Justin, Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken. Image: Twitter/@SB19Official
On the other hand, Ken drew laughs from his bandmates when he said “I Want You” while looking at Pablo. Josh was smiling while looking at the former, and Stell and Justin seemingly wanted to crack a joke as a response to Ken’s answer but, instead, laughed loudly.
But in contrast to SB19’s laughs at the media launch, they sent fans into a frenzy during their concert since “I Want You” was a three-minute spectacle of seduction. During the show, the group sensually moved their bodies to the beat—but nothing prepared the audience when they lay on the ground while singing, “Baby, I want you” on the bridge.
“Joke lang,” Ken said, before saying “Ilaw” feels personal to him, “Deep kasi ‘yung lyrics niya. Marami akong nakikitang pinagdaanan ko rin na nand’un sa [lyrics ng] Ilaw. Kaya nakakarelate ako doon. Pero kumbaga, nan’dun din ‘yung hope and light [sa meaning ng kanta] even if it’s dark.”
In a moment that shows his cheerful disposition, Stell revealed that “Freedom” is meant to be a love letter to their dedicated fans, also known as A’TIN. It can be noted that their fandom name is meant to be pronounced as “eighteen,” which in an apparent wordplay, comes before the number 19. Just as how A’TIN comes before SB19. It’s also a tagalog word that means “ours,” which hints at the relationship between the group and their fans.
“‘Freedom’ is for our fans, ‘yung A’TIN. And kasi kapag nandyan talaga ang mga taong sumusuporta sa’yo, kapag nandyan ‘yung mga taong sobrang comfortable ka, you feel free,” he said. “Parang kaya mong gawin lahat, wala kang kinakatakutan and with A’TIN, parang freedom ang nararamdaman namin kasi happy kami with them. Happy sila na kasama kami. Happy sila na may SB19 and happy kami with A’TIN.”
SB19 members (from left) Justin, Stell, Pablo, Ken, Josh. Image: Sony Music Philippines
But despite having different tastes, Pablo hopes that listeners will see how much their music is a display of how they put themselves into their work.
“Mahalaga sa aming mailabas kung ano naman ‘yung saloobin namin, and nagre-resonate ‘yun sa mga tao. Kahit ‘yung mga previous songs namin tulad ng ‘Mapa’ which is close to the hearts of all the people, ‘yung mga taong gumabay sa atin pabalik,” he said.
“This time, ginawa naming inspirasyon ang isa’t isa sa Pagtatag, so sana po talaga, kung ano man ang ginagawa natin ngayon, kahit hindi nila kilala ang mga mukha namin, they would know us through the presence of our songs. ‘Yun ang mahalaga sa amin,” Pablo added. /ra
