SB19, 4th Impact Share Hopes For P-Pop Industry

Hit boy group SB19 believes it’s about time that national and local government officials pay more attention to Pinoy pop or P-pop as a way to improve the entertainment industry and the Philippine economy as well.

While many Filipinos support K-pop and other foreign acts, the five-member SB19, which has also become one of the country’s popular groups bringing Original Pilipino Music or OPM to the world, said there is much to be done for local artists like them to get more support from fans and the government alike.

SB19 – whose members include Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken and Justin – is one of the 16 groups that will be headlining the Pinoy Pop Convention (PPOPCON) that is happening on April 9 to 10 at the New Frontier Theater and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

During a recent press conference and interview, the group stressed the importance of this kind of event in uplifting the status of P-pop music both in the local and international scene.

“Makakatulong tayo sa bansa natin. Mababago na ang entertainment industry sa Pilipinas at ito na ang simula nun. Itong event na ito, historic ito para sa amin, para sa kanilang lahat. Hindi lang kami nagsasalita as SB19, but for the entire Filipino talents (We will be able to help our country. The entertainment industry will change and this will be the start. This is historic for all of us. We are not just speaking as SB19 but for the entire Filipino talents, too),” Josh said.

Josh stressed that Filipino artists can compete head-to-head internationally and SB19 is proud that many of them already joined the battle to promote the country’s own talents and culture.

“We're actually very proud kasi they have joined (in) this battle – a battle na para i-prove sa buong mundo na kaya ng mga Pilipino makipagsabayan (internationally) at siyempre, maipalaganap ang culture natin,” Josh added.

“Sabi nga namin before, soon, makakaya din natin na ipakita sa lahat na tama tayo na kaya natin talaga at matulungan natin 'yung economy ng Philippines. Feeling ko mangyayari na ito very, very soon...So I’m very thankful, very thankful po kami sa mga groups na nandito ngayon. Sa lahat ng P-pop groups na tumutulong para ipaglaban po kung ano 'yung unang pinaglalaban namin (As what we’ve mentioned before, soon, we can prove that we are right, that we can help the economy of the Philippines. I have a feeling that it will happen very, very soon. I’m thankful for the groups here and all to all P-Pop groups who are in this fight). Thank you for joining us…P-pop rise!” Josh said.

Josh pointed out national and local officials should do their part in highlighting P-pop as the Philippines is a rich country and Filipino talents are some of its natural wealth.

He said Filipinos have a strong presence on social media and through various platforms, they could help P-pop get the much-needed attention from the government leaders and the whole country.

Stell, for his part, noted that the Philippines is worthy to be visited too for its talents.

Their sibling group from entertainment and media company ShowBT Philippines – 4th Impact – echoed SB19’s call for more government support for local P-pop artists.

4th Impact is the Filipino girl group composed of sisters Almira, Irene, Mylene and Celina Cercado that competed in the 12th season of the British singing contest “The X Factor” and landed in fifth place.

“K-pop is now one of the biggest now in the world because their government supports them ever since…I really wish…(the Philippine government) will give us attention, and more support, and also source…more perks siguro and also avenues to perform and reach out (to more young Filipino talents),” Almira, the eldest among the siblings, said.

The group recalled their experience when they joined The X Factor in 2015 and asked for financial assistance from the government. It was a hideous process, they said as they highlighted the importance of monetary support for Filipino talents to excel globally.

The group said that hopefully, a school for performing arts will be built for the new breed of talents.

“As Filipinos, ang hirap ng buhay. Gusto mong mag-practice, kailangan mo itong bayaran,” Almira emphasized.

If local talents will have a government that supports them, Almira said they all have to do is perform since avenues and equipment as basic as a good microphone and stage will already be provided along with trainers who will hone them.

Catch SB19, 4th Impact and other P-pop groups like Alamat, Press Hit Play, 1st.One, VXON, MNL48, BGYO, BINI, KAIA, PPOP Generation, DAYDREAM, R Rules, G22, Calista and Dione in the much-anticipated fan meet and concert.

The concert event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum will be hybrid as fans will allowed to watch at the venue while is also being streamed simultaneously online.

Tickets are available via www.ticketnet.ph.