Pablo of SB19. Image: Handout photo
SB19’s Pablo admitted that he was shocked upon finding out that he was given the opportunity to perform with Dingdong Avanzado. Not only is he familiar with Avanzado’s music, but also his parents are huge fans of the artist.
“Special siya kasi paborito siya ng magulang ko… Sa totoo lang, ‘yung songs ni Sir Dingdong, pamilyar po ako sa lahat. Idol po ng tatay ko si Dingdong,” Pablo told reporters on the sidelines of his rehearsal with Avanzado.
“Tapos ‘yung kanta niyang ‘Basta’t Kasama Kita,’ theme song po nila ng nanay ko. ‘Yung nanay ko, mahilig mag-karaoke and madalas niyang kinakanta ang mga kanta ni Sir Dingdong,” he continued.
(It’s special because he’s the favorite of my parents. To be honest, I’m familiar with all of Sir Dingdong’s songs. My father considers Dingdong as his idol. The song “Basta’t Kasama Kita” is my parents’ theme song. My mother loves to do karaoke and she always sings Sir Dingdong’s songs.)
Knowing how much his parents admire Avanzado, Pablo considers their performance on Friday, July 19, as an honor. He admitted that it’s normal for him to sometimes be nervous before a performance, but this opportunity made him more tense.
“Quadruple times na-multiply ‘yung kaba ko kasi kasama ko si Sir Dingdong Avanzado. Kung mag-isa lang ako, siguro normal kabahan pero kakayanin,” he said. “Pero habang nagrerehearse kami, kinakabahan ako. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko dahil mataas ang respect ko for him.”
(My nervousness multiplied quadruple times because I will perform with Sir Dingdong Avanzado. Perhaps, if I’m alone, I’ll be nervous but I’ll manage. But while we were rehearsing, I was really nervous. My hands were shaking because I have so much respect for him.)
The SB19 leader also admitted that it came to the point where he had to ask his road manager why he was chosen. For him, he enjoys singing and composing, but he considered his music to lean towards rap.
“To be able to sing beside him, I’m very honored. Nagpapasalamat ako for the opportunity na ipakita ang skills ko as an individual who can sing (I’m thankful for the opportunity to show my skills as an individual who can sing),” he continued.
Despite this, Pablo hopes they will have another chance to share the stage. He also thanked Avanzado for being helpful behind the scenes, saying the veteran singer would give the SB19 member “instructions” but also allowed him to show his skills.
“While we’re rehearsing, he has given me instructions on how I can improve. He was very collaborative. He allowed me to do adlibs or other things. It’s more of how to practice professionalism,” he shared.
In a July interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dingdong Avanzado revealed that he has always been a fan of SB19. He also considers Pablo to be his “bias” or favorite member.
Staying humble
When asked how he stays humble amid SB19’s massive success, Pablo shared that he makes it a point to remember how the group started.
“Ang journey namin ay hindi madali. Nadaanan namin ang hirap, ‘yung sama-sama kayong natulog sa sahig, gan’un. Nag-share kayo ng food kasi hindi naman kayo well-off. Alam ko ang gan’ung feeling,” he said.
(Our journey was not easy. We’ve been through a lot. We experienced sleeping together on the floor, things like that. We shared food because we weren’t well-off. I know how it feels.)
Aside from this, Pablo stressed that while SB19 has reached its goal of promoting P-pop, he is aware that everything has a timeline. This, among other reminders, allows him to keep his feet on the ground.
“Now na naaabot na namin ang goal namin, aware kami na hindi kami palaging nandito. Nan’dun lang palagi. Kailangan mong alalahanin ang sarili mo na kung saan ka nagsimula, kung saan ka nanggaling,” he said.
(Now that we’ve reached our goal, we’re aware we won’t always be at this stage. We always make it a point to do that. You have to remind yourself where you started.)
Pablo also pointed out that hardships only increase as time goes by. This serves as a reminder to always prepare oneself and one’s mindset for what can happen.
“Laging sinasabi na walang madali sa umpisa. Sa kalaunan, magiging madali ‘yun. Pero hindi totoo ‘yun. Kung mahirap ngayon, mas magiging mahirap sa susunod. Kapag may gusto kang bagay, dapat i-prepare mo sarili mo and ang mindset mo na hindi talaga siya magiging madali all throughout,” he said.
(People always say that it’s hard at first, but it will be easy as time passes by. But it’s not true. If it’s hard now, it will be harder in the days to come. If you want something, you have to prepare yourself and your mindset that things will never be easy.)
Nevertheless, Pablo believes in the beauty of focusing on your goals and the people who will always have his back. “Kapag na-achieve mo na ang goal mo, magkakaroon ka ng panibagong goal.”
“It just gets harder,” he continued. “Pero as long as you love what you’re doing and you’re happy — and kasama mo ang mga taong sumusuporta sa’yo — okay ‘yun.”
(When you achieve your goal, you will have a new one. It just gets harder. But as long as you love what you’re doing, you’re happy, and you’re with the people who truly support you, it will be okay.)
The SB19 member is tapped as one of the guest performers in Avanzado’s “The Original Prince of Pop” show on July 19. Also part of the show are Jessa Zaragoza, Jayda Avazado, Randy Santiago, Khimo, Marielle Montellano, JM de la Cerna, and LA Santos.
Pablo is the second SB19 member to debut as a soloist with “La Luna” in January 2022. He also released the songs “Determinado,” “Akala,” and “Edsa,” the first of the two done with his brother Josue.