SB19 “Simula At Wakas” WORLD TOUR KICKOFF: A Review in Photos
Amazeballs! SB19 just made history as the first Filipino act to hold and dominate a two-night concert at the world’s largest indoor arena, the Philippine Arena, dated May 31 to June 1, 2025.
The 2-day concert was a bang! Tens of thousands of all ages arrived at the venue — some wore SAW-inspired outfits while others tied blue ribbons onto their vehicles. Several bus wraps with SB19 portraits became a famous spot for group shots and selfies. The concert brought fans together, some even travelled all the way from the USA, Australia, Paris, Canada, Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Indonesia, and more to see SB19, fostering a deeper sense of community among A’TIN. Famous personalities such as Gary Valenciano, Apl.de.Ap, Vice Ganda, Niana Guerrero, TJ Monterde, KZ Tandingan, and other music and television celebrities, P-pop groups included, also came to support and celebrate the Kings of P-pop.
Post-concert blues? Count us in! Here’s why we can’t get over SB19’s ‘Simula At Wakas” World Tour kickoff:
Nope. This is not a concert by an international artist. This is a show by the Filipino boy band, SB19, with its overall production conceptualized, executed, and made in the Philippines. With their Simula at Wakas EP theme, “Paano ba higitan ang sagad na?”, the Kings of P-pop have prominently showcased what it is to create music and produce a show that is up to par, world-class, and excellent from beginning to end.As we all know, the Philippine Arena is the world’s largest indoor arena and it’s really massive in terms of land area as well, but thank goodness that signs were visible everywhere, and a number of officers were scattered around the area and inside the arena to assist concertgoers. Kudos to the helpful crew, ushers, and security personnel who were consistent in reminding people to take care of personal belongings and concert tickets in amusing ways. We tried the shuttle bus by Live Nation, and it was a hassle-free travel from and to the arena.Amazeballs that this concert had a Fanzone in collaboration with fans for fans. Although only one of us was able to enter the big tent because she was willing to stand under the scorching heat of the sun for 2.5 hours, we were still blessed by freebies, consisting of photocards, magnets, stickers with unlimited portraits of our personal biases and bias wreckers. Aaaccckkk! Guess who!
Aside from the fanzone, several A’TIN groups also initiated projects for the two-day event, such as the pretty bus wraps, convoyed motorcycles, and a plane on Day 1 bearing the message, “The world is yours, SB19”.We so loved the quality of the photocard wrapper that we kept them like precious treasures. The remote-controlled LED wristbands were stunning as they lit up in various colors depending on the song being performed by SB19. Dude, it’s also good to mention that audiences from the Mosh Pit / VIP to the General Admission were equally given these random photocards and wristbands. Yes, SB19 always have their fans in mind, making sure everyone gets to fully enjoy the concert. Isn’t that thoughtful? The first impression lasts, and SB19 fully impacted the concert experience with their cinematic and theater-like opening. And it wasn’t just an opening to impress but a storytelling that conveyed the message and purpose of their whole Simula At Wakas EP, inviting everyone for a transformative engagement as if saying, “Are you ready to immerse and soak your heart into our new era of musical artistry?”DAMn! Look at that stage! It was perfectly designed for all concertgoers, it seemed, to see the boys from all sides, and the top view gave you that SB19 logo shape. Incredible! This idea was a brilliant one, and whoever conceptualized and executed this design is freaking genius!We couldn’t help but get mesmerised by the stunning lights that changed in colours and movement according to the mood or theme of the songs.Everything from the stage design to lighting added a visual layer to the overall concert experience, making us see or feel the whole Simula At Wakas EP narrative while emphasizing key moments in every performance.The Kings of P-pop looked so elegant and dazzling in their well-designed attire, and they wore different sets of costumes to match the mood of every performance. They appeared on stage so charming and cool in pink-and-black ensemble when they performed “8TONBALL”, “DUNGKA!”, and “BAZINGA”. They also left the fans awestruck and spellbound with their new arrangement of “MOONLIGHT” and “I WANT YOU”. Their stylish all black glitter outfit added thrill to these bewitching performances.It was the best crowd ever at a concert! There was no dull moment since everyone was singing along — thank goodness to the song lyrics flashed on the screen. Some were screaming at the top of their lungs while admiring their biases and bias wreckers, and tens of thousands danced to “CRIMZONE”, “BAZINGA”, “DAM”, “GENTO”, “8TONBALL”, and ” DUNGKA!” with much thrill and enthusiasm.It may sound fairylike, but SB19 has this innate genuity to connect with their audiences from the stage. Whether they sing, dance, or share a story, they can stir the hearts of the crowd, establishing an emotional relationship with them in moments unforgettable. They don’t just perform for the sake of entertainment, but they also give their hearts fully to their craft, making sure that their fans are well-nourished with love, hope, joy, amusement, and satistaction overall. They’re not only multi-talented, but they’re also a group of artists with a good heart. This is one of the ultimate reasons why A’TIN is a devoted community, while casuals seeing the P-pop kings perform live for the first time become new fans. There’s no doubt that all performances from the set of ballads to the electrifying tracks were all five stars, but we were personally drawn to the breathtaking “ILAW” where the boys sat on chairs while singing their hearts out in a new vocal arrangement with a live band present. Dude, that was a one-of-a-kind harmony and a heart-melting moment, We were literally at a loss for words after that powerful performance.Another sentimental yet impactful performance was “QUIT” as the boys delivered the message of this song in an intimate manner — as if no audience was watching them while they moved around the stage with feelings unmasked, conveying emotions from the depths of their souls — as if speaking in behalf of people going through some struggles in life, “Cause I’m all too familiar with this kind of pain, kahit anong gawin, I won’t run away, Bukas makalawa lang, alam kong may darating na grasya, grasya, grasya”. The release of the confetti was also a meaningful moment as it symbolized freedom from the bondage of brokenness or pain.
We attended the Day 2 concert, and we saw some clips or fan cams across social media about KEN exhorting a message for this particular song during the first night that he didn’t do the next day. And we just wanted to commend KEN for his gift of exhortation. Dude, his deep voice and way of speaking soul-deep messages powerfully and perfectly match to the vibe of “QUIT”.Even though it was the second show, the Kings of P-pop gave the same energy and power in all aspects — vocals, dance breaks, and stage presence. Each one showed something new as well to the crowd while remaining consistent in personality.
JUSTIN’s vocals have blossomed, and his way of singing his lines has grown more soothing and soul-piercing. He surprisingly performed some rap lines as well, and yo, he nailed it. KEN’s versatility with his vocal range was evident throughout the show, and dude, he truly got this fashion sense and face card that’s 100/10. Everything about this rockstar just makes your jaws drop. While JOSH CULLEN is known to be a cool rapper, he showed that night that he could perform powerful songs as well from his heart. As always, STELL never failed to be the sunshine of the group, providing humour and making sure there were no dull moments in between performances. While he was consistently stable with his high notes, he also slayed his rap lines during “BAZINGA”. PABLO was like Cupid, shooting arrows with the way he sang his parts and captivating audiences with his heart that overflows with so much passion and sincerity while performing. He was a scene-stealer that night, even though he might not admit it.Although they are the Kings of P-pop and their popularity is growing rapidly nowadays, they remain humble, kind, naturally funny, extra loving to their fans, appreciative to their sponsors, and well-mannered to the people around them. No wonder they are admired and loved by co-artists in the entertainment industry, including the people they work with behind the scenes.
Nothing beats the brotherhood of these five as well. They have gone through fights, extreme criticism, and almost gave up as a group, but at the end of the day, they still chose to ride the tides together as one with faith in God and one another. Bruh, they’re the sweetest and strongest brotherhood you will ever meet.
“Seven years na kami pero seven years pa lang kami. Habang may lakas pa kami at habang meron kaming A’TIN na sumusuporta sa amin, magpapatuloy kami,” PABLO the group leader shared in a heartfelt speech during the second night.Once upon a time, PABLO, STELL, KEN, JUSTIN, and JOSH CULLEN were young when they started dreaming big. They trained hard and worked hard to master their craft and bring P-pop to the global stage. They faced giants along the way, but they kept shooting for the stars with their little slinghots and arrows. Nevertheless, they remained steadfast and walked the thorny path together with full determination.
Now, they are superstars and globally known, admired, and loved as the Kings of P-pop, touching people’s lives with their music across the world. Their slingshots and arrows, once small, have become tens of thousands of A’TIN coming together as one big solid community, aiming high alongside them.
SB19’s Simula At Wakas World Tour Kickoff at the Philippine Arena was a concert masterclass, a great example of what it means to be Filipino artists on the global scale — a spectacle that’s both visually stunning and musically captivating — an inspiring legacy that’s worthy of future generations.
From beginning to end (simula at wakas), the Kings of P-pop commanded the stage, belted powerful vocals, delivered heartfelt performances, bursted electrifying dance breaks, and expressed genuine engagement with the audiences. It wasn’t only a seamless showcase of world-class artistry and talent, but it was also a two-day meaningful concert of purpose, heart, and connection — one that leaves you asking for more.
KORB 