Filipino boy band SB19 proudly accepted their nomination for the Top Social Artist award at the recently concluded Billboards Music Awards.
Though the group failed to win, members remained grateful and humbled by the support and recognition of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
SB19 made history by becoming the first Filipino act to be nominated in the fan-vote category of the award-giving body.
In an exclusive interview of RAWR Nation, the all-boy band who brought pride for the country, they can’t help but be thankful for the nomination despite not winning.
“Ang masasabi po namin ma-nominate palang sa spot na yun is actually.. malaking karangalan na yun para sa amin, panalo na tayong lahat doon at s’yempre deserve naman po s’yempre ng mga nanalo.
“Deserve po ng mga nanalo ng mga awarding na to. Sa Billboard Music Awards syempre yung spot talaga nila pinaghirapan po nila yun at syempre po kami po nagsisimula palang kami po,” Josh Cullen Santos, one of the members said.
Now that SB19 is internationally recognized, Santos said–it motivates them to practice more and perform better not only for themselves but for everyone who supports them.
“Kailangan din po naming maging consistent pa, s’yempre mas makita pa po ng magagandang performances at magagandang mga music pa.”
He also stated that being nominated is already a victory for them. It was sufficient. They are extremely appreciative of the votes of their fans.
“Kumbaga para sa amin po enough ano po yun… enough na po yung nangyari at thankful po kame sa mga fans syempre sa walang sawang pag boto at walang sawang pag tangkilik.
“Hinde lang sa fans ngungit sa kapwa pilipino din namin, kapawa south east asians na sumuporta po talaga sa amin hanggang sa huli,” Santos continued.
Stell, short for his real name–Stellvester Ajero, also expressed gratitude to the co-artists, who assisted them in their journey.
The journey was fruitful for SB19 because they brought pride to the Philippines.
“Para naman po sa mga artists na sumuporta sa amin s’yempre po sobrang saya kasi kumbaga na feel po talaga namin parang… alam n’yo po yun sinusubukan po ng lahat na matulungan po kami.
“Hindi lang naman po SB19, Pilipinas po ‘yung dala namin doon,” stressed Stell.
Apart from their fandom A’tin’s, other organizations that backed SB19, included the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). It made them feel proud and honored.
“S’yempre po nababasa nga po namin yung mga tweet ng A-Tin nung lumabas nga po ‘yung mga balita na tungkol sa CPP at NCAA meron silang ginawa na something to support our group.”
The SB19 member stated that while it is not a secret that some Filipinos still do not consider their music to be OPM, they consider the recognition from NCAA and CCP to be remarkable.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa lang kasi hindi naman po naging sikreto yun sa lahat na parang ever since nag start yung SB19 group namin parang we always receive some comments.
“Na we are not Filipino, na talagang we are promoting K-Pop daw ganito ganyan and having this kind of event… ano po yung parang recognition from that bigger… sobrang laki nila eh.
“Very thankful po kami na na-recognize kami ng NCAA at CPP kasi nga po yung pinaglalaban nga po talaga namin from the very beginning is s’yempre po yung music natin na alam naman po natin na akala nga po ng karamihan… medyo naninibago po sila.
“Bago daw po ‘tong tunog sa kanila at t’saka yung mga ginagawa namin pero po itong musika namin nagi-evolve na po at yun po yung parang gusto po talga namin na kumabaga dalhin sa buong mundo na ‘eto po tayong mga Pilipino talagang talented po tayo,” Josh said.
Furthermore, Stell believes that this nomination will open more doors for them and other Filipino artists to be recognized soon in the Billboard Music Awards.
“Parang ito narin yung daan para magbukas pa ng maraming pintuan sa mga ibang artist po dito sa pilipinas dahil hinde po magiging malabo na in the next few years maraming pang artist na manominate sa Billboard dahil sa opportunity na ito,” Stell said.
Even though the Filipino boy group failed to bag the award, it will not hinder them from winning the award soon.
“Kung hindi man ngayon yung mga awardings na makukuha alam naman po natin na in the future darating din po tayo sa tamang oras para din po sa time din namin,” Josh said in an optimistic attitude.
Meanwhile, SB19 is preparing for its online concert, Back in the Zone, which will take place on July 18 via KTX.ph, following the massive success of their previous single What? and the release of their sixth single, MAPA.
