SB19: ‘Dungka!’ sa Mayon
While not extraordinarily rare, a clear sighting of Mayon Volcano isn’t always guaranteed. But when she does reveal herself—her peak unshrouded by clouds, her perfect cone cutting against the blue skies—the picture she paints is nothing short of a blessing. Or, as Bicolano folklore suggests, a sign of warm welcome.
On June 14, Mayon stood in all her majesty, as if awaiting the P-pop sensation SB19’s arrival in the province of Albay, where they headlined the opening night of the Bicol Music Festival. It’s hard not to think of this moment as a stroke of serendipity: an enduring natural icon playing host to a rising cultural force.
The parallels didn’t stop there.
All around Legazpi City and its neighboring towns, the volcano was an inescapable sight—her peak jutting above rooftops, her symmetry on full display from open fields. And on the way to the venue—a sprawling festival ground on what was once the old Legazpi Airport—Mayon beckoned from the horizon. SB19 is just as ubiquitous: their songs echo across the nation and far beyond; their faces a familiar presence, from social media feeds to billboards lining major streets.
Mayon, with her violent eruptions throughout history, has shaped and reshaped her surrounding landscape many times over. SB19’s power is more figurative than destructive—but no less transformative. Brimming with talent and burning with purpose, the group has been redefining the conventions of local pop music with sounds and concepts fueled by foresight and imagination: a beacon in the P-pop movement’s steady march.
Deafening screams
The sun had already set by the time SB19 took the stage. Still, Mayon’s unmistakable silhouette loomed, watching as her guests—Pablo, Stell, Ken, Justin, and Josh—lit up the stage with a fire all their own. And the moment they emerged, the crowd—despite having endured the heat and long hours on their feet earlier in the day—sprang to life, erupting into deafening screams.
Presented by the Tourism Promotions Board, the Department of Tourism, and Live Nation Philippines, the show—mounted as part of the “Love the Philippines” campaign—aimed to boost concert tourism nationwide. They couldn’t have chosen a better draw. More than 12,000 fans attended, some of whom came from Aurora, Zambales, Metro Manila, and even Thailand—a testament to how, like Mayon’s community-building role and touristic appeal, SB19 attracts visitors wherever they go, bringing people together in celebration of music.
Similarly, the band values visiting places outside Manila, making it easier for their beloved A’tin (fandom name) across the country to see them live. “Good thing we were given a chance to go here, to go to you. Because usually, it’s the other way around,” Stell told the crowd, who earlier enjoyed performances by Fred Engay, Dwta, Kim Ji-soo, Kim Won-shik, and Earl Agustin.
After their recent “Simula at Wakas” world tour kickoff at the Philippine Arena—a landmark two-day event marked by expansive productions, intricate stage designs, and cinematic visuals—this show was markedly pared down, as expected in a festival setting. In a way, it felt like a microcosm of what fans might see on the group’s upcoming international tour dates, which—as they themselves noted—will be more modest in scale due to logistical and venue constraints.
And yet, the hallmarks that make SB19 such compelling performers remained intact: vocal prowess, explosive choreography, commanding stage presence—all proof that spectacle isn’t a prerequisite for impact. Because if there’s one thing you can expect from SB19, it’s this: no matter the size of the venue, they will unfailingly deliver with equal fervor.
Lean and mean set list
The set list was lean and mean, blending high-octane tracks that had the crowd dancing, with emotional ballads that inspired poignant sing-alongs. Bops like “Dam,” “8TonBall,” and “Dungka!” brought out the group’s natural grit and swagger. Meanwhile, mid-tempos like “Quit,” “Time,” and “Mapa” let their vocals and soulful harmonies take center stage—a soothing salve between the bursts of energy.
But more than the performances, it was the moments between songs that showed why they’ve attracted such a massive and fiercely loyal following. Every exchange and bit of goofing around onstage felt heartwarming and spontaneous. You didn’t just listen to the conversations—they let you in—and in the process, made the wide-open field feel like an intimate shared space.
It’s in the way they learned Bicolano phrases to connect deeper with local fans; the way they jokingly roasted their fans (“Wala kayo sa tono,” Pablo quipped); and how they quickly responded to a call for a medic, with Stell reminding everyone to keep their distance with a witty riposte: “Stare at the person beside you and say, ‘Dungka!’”
Just as the crowd thought the show was over, not a few eager fans made a mad dash backstage—only to scramble back to the pit when SB19 returned for an encore of “Gento.” This time, even those who hadn’t planned on watching were dancing—the medics, utility crew, and security staff included. Casuals went home as newly converted fans; the A’tin left with their love and admiration reaffirmed.
It’s this very feeling that SB19 hopes to awaken in their fans time and time again. Still riding high from a string of iconic projects and performances, the band already has their sights set on something bigger and better. Coachella? Lollapalooza? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: they’re determined to become even better versions of themselves.
“It will be hard to surpass what we’ve done. Sinagad na namin. But we want bigger innovations… bigger and grander stages,” Pablo told select reporters backstage, where fellow performers waited outside their tent, eager to meet them and ask for photos.
Just as Mayon stands steeped in myth and legend, SB19 is still building their own. And with every new chapter and turn of the page, it’s their self-belief and unwavering fans who serve as the ink with which they write their own story.
“We’re here today because of hard work, sweat, and tears. We’ve been through a lot. We want to show that we can do it, so that others believe that they can do it, too… even if you come from a humble background,” Ken told Lifestyle. “That’s what we hope to convey. To show your best. That you may have no regrets because you tried.”
