Ready for 2026: SB19 announces Trilogy Concert Finale in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – What comes next after two sold-out shows in the Philippine Arena, another world tour, and seven years in the industry?

P-pop group SB19 just announced “Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale” slated for April 18, at the SMDC Festival Grounds.

The finale concert has been highly anticipated, as the biggest P-pop group in the country just wrapped up its “Simula at Wakas” world tour with 21 stops in Asia, North America, Canada, the Middle East, and Oceania. The members had also done shows in Rome, Italy; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and in Manila, Bulacan, Sultan Kudarat, and Cebu in the Philippines.

Pablo, Josh, Stell, Justin, and Ken also appeared on several shows in the countries they visited — a lot of guestings on radio shows and YouTube channels, including a comeback appearance at Japanese channel The First Take and releasing an Indonesian version of hit song “MAPA.” 

They opened 2026 with the trilogy concert finale announcement, as fans all over the world wonder what the group will be up to next. After all, 2025 was the year that the group went all out in their global domination mission.

Expanding to a new audience

In previous interviews with SB19, the members had been very vocal about exposing themselves to a new audience, especially outside of the Philippines. 

They said that the songs from “Simula at Wakas” album have different genres that it can appeal to people with different tastes in music. The stops for their “Simula at Wakas” world tour were more intentional and strategic, including new cities in a bid all to reach more listeners and turn them into fans.

An example of this would be Taiwan. On June 29, 2025 the group held its sold-out Taipei stop at the TZEPP New Taipei. Even before the concert day, the members did a couple of appearances in the city: going busking at the Taipei Main Station and performing at the Hito Music Awards. Come concert day, the venue was filled with fans and casual listeners alike — Filipino and Taiwanese fans were in attendance — all looking forward to the group’s stages.

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Even after the Taiwan leg, support from Taiwanese fans continued to pour in.

Fay Hsu, a 26-year old Taiwanese, told Rappler that after watching SB19 at the Hito Awards show, she was instantly drawn in. “They were just so different from the other groups I stanned before,” she said. She was a fan of K-pop groups and other groups from Taiwan, but watching the Filipino boy group gave her a new perspective and a new group to follow and support.

She became such an avid fan that she even flew — her first time to go one flight by herself — to Hong Kong to watch the group’s show. “I knew I should just do it,” Fay said.

The same happened to 41-year old Lili Liu from Taipei. She said she had not been a fan of any boy group before, and saw the “Simula at Wakas” concert with a friend. She didn’t instantly become a fan, but she was shocked by how good SB19 was, and how the concert-goers were all having fun that night. This prompted her to fly out and watch the group’s shows in Singapore and Japan.

She also began watching their videos on YouTube, and connecting with other Taiwanese A’TIN.

The two then came to Manila and watched the group’s 7th-year anniversary show “FAST ZONE,” a collaboration with renowned fashion designer Francis Libiran.

An anniversary show like no other

“FAST ZONE” was the fusion between a fashion show and a concert to mark SB19’s 7th anniversary on October 26, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum — a first in the Philippines. More than 150 models participated in the show intricately designed to be both a runway and a concert stage.

Libiran told Rappler that for him, the collaboration was phenomenal. It was not his first time to work with SB19, because he had been dressing up the members in the last two years.

“Collaborating with the boys on how I was inspired with their music, with their talent — it was natural to come out with something very Filipino and something excellent,” he said. The show featured Libiran’s collection of pieces that use materials reflective of the Filipino identity: mother of pearl, Inaul textile, anting-anting, recycled fabrics.

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But more than the spectacle, the show told a story of reinvention and the constant need to evolve, which is exactly what SB19 members hope to tell in the years to come.

From the Philippines, to the world

From using word play in their songs, featuring the kalye (street) culture in their music videos, to screaming they are proudly from the Philippines at the Asia Artist Awards Concert at the Kaohsiung National Stadium last December 7, 2025 – SB19 has been an staunch promoter of Filipino culture.

Their performance before an Asian audience of top pop groups and actors further cemented SB19’s place in the industry as it wowed the audience, onsite and online.

And seven years after their debut, they are looking for more ways to challenge themselved and their company, 1Z Entertainment.

1Z’s COO Yani de Dios told Rappler that the team has had a very tiring but fulfilling year and that fans can expect even more from them.

“If you think the members and the team are getting tired, they chose that! It’s part of the team’s strategy, and [the members] know what they’re doing. They’re the owners of the company. They care for their careers, of course,” he said.

What about the two things that keep Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin together? De Dios shared that it’s the friendship that these five men have built over the years. “Para silang may jowa for seven years,” he joked. (It’s like they had a partner for seven years.)

1Z Entertainment now glues them together. “They are so dedicated for 1Z to thrive. They put in so much effort, money, time, and trust in the company,” he added.

Come 2026, with SB19’s stellar talent, relentless hard work, and an ever growing fan base, reaching global stardom may just be around the corner. – Rappler.com