What makes Pinoy pop boy band SB19’s Simula at Wakas World Tour in Dubai a cultural milestone?

Dubai: When SB19 takes the stage in Dubai this October, it won’t just be another tour stop, it’ll be a full-circle moment of pride, passion, and cultural power. For Filipinos living abroad, especially OFWs across the Middle East, this is more than music. It’s a celebration of identity, resilience, and global recognition.

SB19 band members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin didn’t come from a massive label, nor did they follow the usual script. Since forming in 2018 under a Korean-style training system, they’ve rewritten the playbook for Filipino music. They made history as the first Southeast Asian act nominated for a Billboard Music Award and the first Filipino group to break into the Billboard Social 50. Their breakout hit “Go Up” wasn’t just viral, it ignited the global rise of P-pop (Pinoy pop).

Now hailed as the leaders of the P-pop wave, SB19 is known for electrifying choreography, powerhouse vocals, and lyrics that hit straight to the soul. But what makes this Dubai concert truly special is how each member shines as both a solo artist and a vital piece of the SB19 phenomenon. Five voices. Five visions. One unstoppable force.

Whether you’ve been A’TIN from day one or are just discovering SB19’s power, this is more than a show, it’s a defining moment of Filipino excellence on the world stage.

Here’s how Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin are redefining what it means to be both a group and solo stars.

Pablo: The mastermind at the helm

SB19’s leader has always worn many hats, rapper, vocalist, composer, producer, but in his solo journey, John Paulo Bagnas Nase (born September 14, 1994) known professionally as Pablo, has proven himself to be the architect of not just sound, but vision. His debut solo track La Luna was an introspective, almost philosophical take on self-duality, wrapped in fierce rap verses and minimalist production. It was raw, self-aware, and brimming with intent.

Then came Determinado, his second single—a track that traded subtlety for swagger, with distorted guitars and a rock-infused beat that declared he was no longer just a leader, but a force of nature.

Outside the booth, Pablo is the co-founder and CEO of 1Z Entertainment, the group’s independent label—a bold move that places him among a rare breed of idols-turned-industry-builders. Every SB19 hit bears his creative fingerprint. Now, he's also helping write the blueprint for others.

Josh: The unapologetic showman

If Pablo is the strategist, Josh Cullen Santos (born October 22, 1993) is the risk-taker, the member who jumped into solo stardom with the flash of a neon-lit afterparty. His debut single Wild Tonight wasn’t just a song, it was a statement. With trap beats, confident bars, and a cinematic MV that screamed “this is me now,” Josh embraced the freedom of solo artistry with open arms.

His debut album Lost & Found followed shortly after a surprisingly vulnerable look into heartbreak, resilience, and rediscovery. Songs like Get Right and Yoko Na leaned into his urban sensibilities, but also peeled back the layers of his personality: yes, there’s swagger, but there’s also soul.

Outside music, he’s a favorite among fashion editors and streetwear brands, a stylish symbol of the modern Pinoy pop star. He’s bold. He’s loud. And he’s just getting started.

Stell: The Soul of SB19

You can’t talk about vocals in P-pop without talking about Stell (Stellvester Ajero, born June 16, 1995). His solo journey may be more low-key than some of his bandmates’, but when Stell sings, time stops.

Known for his angelic tone, effortless range, and surgical control, Stell has lent his voice to various OSTs like the emotional ballad Room, which tugged at heartstrings on national TV. His viral covers from pop ballads to Broadway classics have become online masterclasses in vocal technique and pure emotion.

Who could forget that spine-tingling moment when Stell belted out All By Myself with David Foster on piano? Every note, every breath, every high belt landed flawlessly. That performance wasn’t just impressive—it was a vocal knockout that solidified Stell as one of the finest voices in OPM today.

As a judge on The Voice Generations, Stell also brought heart and wisdom, mentoring aspiring artists with grace and musical insight. He hasn’t dropped a solo album—yet—but with whispers of original music coming, it’s only a matter of time before Stell fully takes the solo spotlight he was born for.

Ken: The rebel innovator

As Felip Jhon Suson (born January 12, 1997), stage name Ken, takes a sledgehammer to convention. His solo music isn’t just genre-defying, it’s genre-destroying. From his bold debut Palayo, a Bisaya R&B track drenched in sensuality and cultural pride, to his 2023 EP COMPLEX, Ken has built a soundscape that’s dark, experimental, and utterly unrelenting.

In 7sins, released in 2024, he turned sin into sonic art—blending trap, rock, choral chants, and stunning visuals into a conceptual masterpiece. Each song was tied to a deadly sin, each video a statement on temptation, vice, and transformation.

Ken is also a fashion maven. Whether on the Vogue Philippines pages or avant-garde editorials, his fluid approach to style matches his fearless approach to music. If there’s one member constantly pushing the boundaries, it’s him.

Justin: The quiet visionary

Behind some of SB19’s most iconic visuals is Justin de Dios (born July 7, 1998), the group’s youngest member and its creative director-in-residence. He’s directed multiple music videos, including “What?”, “Nyebe,” and “Where You At,” often infusing them with cinematic storytelling and emotional depth.

But Justin isn’t just behind the camera anymore. In 2023, he made his acting debut in Senior High, and by 2024, he was cast in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre, a major fantasy TV series that proved he’s more than just a visual artist, he’s a rising screen presence.

A graduate in Multimedia Arts, Justin blends intellect and instinct. His creative DNA runs through every pixel of SB19’s brand—and now, he’s exploring how to express that through acting, design, and possibly, original solo content.

Solo stars, one constellation

What sets SB19 apart isn’t just that they’ve gone solo—it’s how they’ve done it. No member is lost to ego. No project feels like a breakaway. Each journey feeds back into the group’s larger narrative: that Filipino artists can be everything, singers, songwriters, directors, entrepreneurs, icons.

Their individual ventures reflect their maturity, their ambition, and their belief in artistry beyond borders. And as they continue to conquer new terrains, together and apart, SB19 is showing the world that you don’t have to break up to break through.

Why they matter

SB19 isn’t just a boy band—they’re trailblazers shaping P-pop’s global story with relentless dedication, creative control, and authentic storytelling.

Now global tour headliners and solo stars in their own right, SB19 stands as a powerful symbol of Filipino pride, talent, and limitless potential.

Their Dubai show on the Simula at Wakas World Tour marks a landmark moment—not just for A’TIN in the region, but for everyone who’s witnessed their journey from viral sensation to world-class performers.

With every release and every stage, SB19 continues to redefine Filipino music’s future, proving that language, geography, and tradition are no barriers to global impact.

On October 11, 2025, they bring all that energy to Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena for one unforgettable night. For OFWs and fans across the Middle East, this isn’t just a concert—it’s a homecoming. A celebration of roots, resilience, and rising above.

Five stories, One legacy. Don't miss SB19 live in Dubai.

What you need to know:

·         Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025

·         Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai

·         Presented by: Live Nation Middle East

·         Expect: Explosive performances, emotional moments and soaring high notes.

·         Tickets are available from coca-cola-arena.com