SB19 Netflix Documentary: Ready for Their Next Chapter

About two years back, I had the chance to sit down with the talented Filipino Pop group, SB19, as they were about to mark their fifth anniversary and enjoy the success of their EP, Pagtatag!, especially their hit single, “Gento.” Made up of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin, the group was thriving, traveling, doing interviews, and receiving love from fans all around the world. They seemed like they were on top of the world.

But little did we know, behind the scenes, SB19 was dealing with internal and legal battles with their former company while also setting up their own management company and continuing to create music. What started as a documentary about their album trilogy – Pagsibol, Pagtatag!, and Simula at Wakas – turned into a deeper dive into their highest highs and lowest lows, showing how they persevered through it all. You can now catch their story, Pagtatag! The Documentary, on Netflix.

Directed by Jed Regala, who has worked on many of SB19’s music videos, the documentary explores the group’s journey during their Pagtatag! era and delves into themes like mental health, representation, and navigating the pressures of the industry.

In their own words, Justin shared, “We wanted to document the EP trilogy from the beginning, but it turned into an opportunity for us to reflect, learn, and put out a really good documentary for our fans.” They wanted to give their devoted fans, the A’TINs, a look behind the scenes and shed light on what was happening, especially during a legal battle over the group’s name. By putting it all out there in the documentary, they aimed to provide clarity on why certain events like meetings and concerts were canceled.

During this tumultuous time, SB19 founded their own management company, 1Z Entertainment, with the aim of not only managing their endeavors but also paving the way for more P-pop groups to represent the Philippines.

When I caught up with the group at a local Filipino restaurant in Los Angeles after a concert, they were in good spirits, despite their jam-packed schedule and jet lag from their tour. They shared their love for Filipino food and even recommended trying Calamansi Juice, a Filipino lemonade, to soothe the throat. And yes, they do enjoy pineapple on pizza, even though not everyone might agree with them.

The atmosphere was more relaxed that evening, a stark contrast to two years ago when they seemed reserved. The group, especially Ken, was more open and candid during our chat. It was heartwarming to see how far they’ve come since then, and how they’ve overcome their challenges with resilience and determination.