SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin are reaping the fruits of their hard work.
With their group being recognized as P-pop King, they have landed not just awards but also endorsements for their excellence in talent, showmanship, and attitude as musicians.
Speaking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), SB19 reflected on how they have come a long way since their debut as a group nearly six years ago.
They trained for two years before they were launched on October 26, 2018.
Josh said: "From before yung tinataguyod namin, nung di pa po kami nakikilala, or di pa po nakikilala ang P-pop dati, medyo mahirap talaga.
"Lalo na kung mapapanood niyo yung early debut namin. Lagi kami kinukuwestiyon, 'Paano niyo ipapakilala ang P-pop?'
"Ngayon, di na namin siya kailangan ipakilala. Alam na alam ng tao lahat."
Back in 2020, SB19 memebrs were interviewed on PEP Live where they narrated going through rigorous training, how some people barely recognize them in public, and other challenges as newbies.
Their determination to prove themselves paid off, and it encouraged new groups to also carve a niche in the P-pop scene.
Based on their Instagram feed, SB19 has been supportive of other P-pop groups as they gamely do short-form videos of dance collabs.
Smiling, Josh noted, "Marami nang successful na mga grupo ngayon.
"Kaya masayang-masaya po kami na ganun na yung narating namin. Isa sa mga pilit namin itinaguyod, natutupad na."
Asked about how they spend their earnings after the success of Pagtatag World Tour, Josh spoke again in behalf of SB19.
"Siguro yung 1Z yung biggest investment," he said, referring to 1Z Entertainment, a talent management company co-owned by SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin.
The boys are under the roster of 1Z Entertainment.
Last March, they launched their own office space, which houses a recording studio, dance studio, conference room, and several areas for quick huddles.
Continuing, Josh told PEP: "Nagpatayo kami ng sarili naming kumpanya at inaalagaan namin yung tao namin.
"May safe space yung mga empleyado namin.
"Dati kasi nung pandemic, may mga work from home, kung saan saan nagwo-work.
"Ngayon, proud po kami sabihin na meron kaming safe space sa sarili."
PEP interviewed SB19 during Atin 'To Chicken McDo SB19 Fan Meet held at Robinsons Manila Atrium on September 16, 2024.
Read: Highlights of SB19's PAGTATAG! Finale concert
SB19 AT MCDO FAN MEET
Aside from lucky fans who got to be part of the audience at The Atrium, four floors of the mall were filled with crowd eager to catch a glimpse of SB19.
Landing the Chicken McDo endorsement was a milestone for the group whose members all had fond memories of the popular fast food chain.
Pablo said he often attended kiddie parties at McDo where he enjoyed taking photos with mascots; while Josh recalled coming to the fast food chain to play at the fast food's signature playground when they were kids.
During SB19's training days, Ken and Justin shared that the fast food restaurant was their go-to place for after-work meals.
Stell, for his part, recalled that he wanted to complete the Happy Meal toy collection featuring the boots of Ronald McDonald back in the late '90s.
"Di ko lang nabuo kasi kulang budget namin," Stell candidly admitted.
Another trivia from Stell was that he used to be a crew member of the fast food chain.
He proudly said: "Bakit ko binabalik-balikan ang McDo? Siguro a lot of you know na naging crew po ako nung college po ako.
"Grabe yung [180-degree turnaround] from crew to endorser. Every time na binabalikan ko yung memory na yun, naalala ko lahat ng hardships, lahat ng nangyari sa akin before.
"And now, looking at it, andaming memories na bumabalik, bukod sa good food, good memories din po yung bumabalik."
MORE WORLD-CLASS TALENT FROM SB19
Back to the interview with PEP and two other entertainment editors, SB19 expressed their desire to keep improving as a group and as co-founders of 1Z Entertainment.
Pablo elaborated: "Mahirap kasi kami yung artist, kami din ang may-ari. Marami siyang conflict.
"Sometimes we have to determine kung we are currently wearing the management hat or the artist hat.
"Madaming pagdadaanan, pero I think yun ang nagpapa-grow sa amin."
They maintained that they will continue to do their part in elevating Filipino music and making Filipino talents known even in the global stage.
"Marami kaming gusto kaming pagandahin para i-break yung norm [sa music scene].
"Masasabi namin na from the get-go, gusto namin mas tumaas yung standard ng musika, mas tumaas yung standard ng musikang Pilipino, at mas makilala po tayo para makatulong sa ekonomiya."