P-pop Kings SB19 looked back on how their respective careers as solo artists helped them create their newest album, “Wakas at Simula,” during an exclusive press conference on Monday, March 23, 2026.
SB19’s Stell was quick to recall the lessons he acquired while exploring his own musical career, all while remaining an active member of the group.
“Pinaka natutunan talaga namin is ‘yung lakas ng bawat isa na pag pinagsama namin is something great and bigger than us talaga. Kasi kahit naman ako, personally, kahit sabihin ko na kaya kong bumanter samga tao, kaya kong maging ako, maging makwela, pero hinahanap ko pa rin ‘yung energy nila, hinahanapko pa rin yung sila nakasama ko,” Stell explained.
Adding “Hindi sa nasanay ako with them growing as an artist. It’s more of, kailangan ko ‘yung ‘kami’ para mag-work pa rin ako as alone. Kasi kahit naman nasa stage kami, we have our solo parts. Parang kailangan ko sila, kasi sinusupport nila ako sa part ko, for me to shine.”
Stell noted that their individual experiences as solo artists contributed to the creative process of building the ‘Wakas at Simula’ album.
“‘Yung mag-solo namin is something na way lang para mahanap namin or ma-discover namin ‘yung strength ng bawat isa and mas ma-capture namin kung anotalaga ‘yung hinahanap ng sarili namin dun sa solo journey namin,” he said.
“Isa sa nagpaganda rin ng solos namin is ‘yung mganalaman din namin through our journey alone nanasama namin nung nagsama-sama na kami in creating this album. Parang lahat talaga namin, may ambag’ yung experience ko, experience ni ganito niganyan. Hindi lang ‘yung perspective namin as a team ‘yung napasok, pati ‘yung perspective namin outside SB19 and outside ourselves. So ‘yun po ‘yungmagandang natutunan namin, our solo careers,” he added.
It has been eight years since the debut of SB19. According to the group’s leader, Pablo, this album means a lot to them as they want to celebrate everything they have achieved including their creative freedom in their music.
“’Yung buong concept ng album, it’s about celebration talaga ng journey namin. Hindi naman siya bago but it’s something that they’re familiar with… Kasi mas masarap ‘yung bagay kapag inaalala mo, may nostalgia ka na.It’s something na nag-reflect na doon sa whole journey namin. We have a creative freedom and we’ll be more. We’ll be exploring more mature music pagdating sa production, pagdating sa lenses nasasali dito sa circle namin,” Pablo noted.
For SB19 Justin, he described their group as “more confident” in their career path after eight years of working together.
“8 years in the industry, 8 years na na gumagawa ng music, performing, and right now, we are more confident. Parang hindi na kami walking on tiptoes.May assurance na kami sa mga sarili namin sa gusto namin gawin na ito ‘yung gusto namin i-try, ito ‘yunggusto namin ipakita…
Mas meron kaming power… Mas confident na kami sagusto namin gawin,” he said.
Josh even teased what fans can expect in the album, ”Range pop na prinoduce ni Ken. ‘Yun po siguro ‘yungpinaka unexpected. It’s gonna be our first time doing it sa group. [Also] Brazilian folk.”
The album also features collaborations with international artists, including the Queen of C-Pop, Jolin, on their song “Emoji” and Japanese Group Be: First on the dance-pop track “Toyfriend.”
As one of the producers of the album, Ken said it was a milestone to work with global artists on the project.
“This one is very different kasi ‘yung mga naka-collab namin before mostly is mga Filipino artists. But this time, mga international artists sila. So we know that artists are very complex with their artistry, their craft. They are very specific sa ano ‘yung maging sound, directions nila because like we have to consider ‘yungbranding nila, ‘yung vision nila. So meron struggle but you know, smooth. As an artist, kailangan mo i-push ‘yung sarili mo ito para makuha ‘yung pinaka perfect na result. From the very beginning, we are aiming for the global stage. I think now is the best time to step out sa comfort zone namin,” he said.
The group made history as the first all-Filipino group to perform at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago this year.
“We can’t wait to share with you guys kung ano ‘yungnakahanda for us. Kasi ngayon po mas matindi, mas may creative feeling kami, mas bold kami in terms of exploration sa pagdating sa music na ginagawa kami. And mas more, tinatarget po talaga namin ‘yung going global para ipakita kung ano ‘yung meron ang mgaFilipinos,” Pablo excitedly shared.
“So I’m just so happy na itong mga opportunities naganito dumarating. So itong album na namin i-release namin, it’s a celebration for everything that we have achieved, together. So yan po ‘yung dahilan bakitnilabas itong last album po namin dito sa chapter ‘to,” he added.
SB19’s “Wakas at Simula” consists of a total of 24 tracks, featuring both new and previously released songs, including “Visa,” “DUNGKA!,” and new versions of hit songs “Mapa,” “Gento,” and “Bazinga.” It will be available on all digital music platforms worldwide under Sony Music Entertainment starting Friday, March 27, 2026.
