For SB19, ‘Simula at Wakas’ is a pinnacle of their monumental efforts (2025)

SB19 always had big dreams. Since their debut, they have been upfront about planting the seeds to push P-pop forward. The scene has grown—with many groups hoping to follow in their footsteps and artists setting their own milestones. While they emerged as the industry’s leading force, that didn’t stop them from dreaming and doing big things.

Yet when asked how “big” the EP will be, Ken said, “So big” with no explanation, already self-assured on how it would turn out. “Si Stell tatanungin natin (Let’s ask Stell),” Pablo said immediately while Josh was grinning. Justin chimed in, saying, “Pag mga big po, si Stell ang sasagot (If it’s about big things, Stell will answer).” The group’s main vocalist, known for his quick wit, held back from laughing as he got into business.

“Simula at Wakas” is the final part of SB19’s trilogy, which was composed of their past releases “Pagsibol” and “Pagtatag!” The EP draws parallels between the stages of life and a tree, culminating in growth. This somehow mirrors what the group has planned for its release.

“We made it big. All out promotions. Pati budget, na-all out namin. ‘Yung connections namin, lahat ng nalikom, lahat ng nakilala, [and] nakatrabaho with in the past years,” Stell explained during a sit-down interview with INQUIRER.net. “Gusto naming mag-iwan ng marka at matandaan nila ito for the rest of their lives. It is something we’re very proud of… madugong meetings ang dinaan nito at maraming emosyon ang tinamaan kaya we’re very proud and happy na finally, released na siya.”

(We made it big. Everything. All-out promotions. We went all out with the budget, as well as with our connections, what we built, everyone we met, and those we worked with in the past. We want to leave a mark for people to remember for the rest of their lives. It is something we’re very proud of. We went through a lot of tough meetings. A lot of emotions were hit as well. This is why we’re very proud and happy it’s finally released.)

Diving into the music

While SB19’s trilogy has been in the works for quite a while, Justin explained that the majority of “Simula at Wakas’” songs were recently completed, instead of the group selecting from a vault. “DAM” had already been planned, while the Radkidz-helmed “DUNGKA!” was the final piece to the puzzle.

One of the factors that helped them in bringing the EP together was working with different producers, and the members focusing on their solo careers. “[Doing ‘Quit’] was pretty easy. I did it quickly,” Ken said of “Quit” with him and Pablo rewriting some of the lyrics. The latter also wrote Josh’s rap.

Josh, who co-wrote the lyrics to “8TonBall,” said he tends to lock himself in while writing. “Nahirapan akong buuin siya in a way na [hindi lang] ako ang magsasabi kasi walang limitations kapag ako [lang],” he recalled. “Mas mahirap, kasi iisipin ko palagi anong gustong sabihin ng iba din, pero napakafulfilling. Masaya siya. It was not as hard as I expected it to be.”

(I had a hard time writing it in a way that I am not the only one who will be singing it. There are no limitations if it’s only me. It’s hard thinking about what the others would want to say. But it’s very fulfilling. It made me happy. It was not as hard as I expected it to be.)

SB19 during an interview with INQUIRER.net. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net

Aside from “DAM,” “DUNGKA!” is considered one of the “focus tracks,” saying it is a response to hate and useless criticism. “[Ito ay para] sa mga nanggugulo, sa hindi gusto ‘yung ginagawa namin, and ‘yung mga nandyan na ubusin ang oras or what,” Justin said, taking a self-assured stance.

“Our message for them is kung hindi mo [kami] gusto, wag ka na dito. D’un ka na lang. Gawin mo ang gusto mo. Gagawin namin ang gusto namin,” he said. A nodding Pablo added, “Stay in your lane,” while their bandmates nodded in agreement.

(It is for those who mess around with us, those who don’t like what we’re doing, and for those who want to waste our time. Our message for them is, if you don’t like us, then go away. Go somewhere else. Do what you want. We’ll do what we want.)

“Time,” another focus track, is a ballad that reflects on the unpredictability of time. “I feel like a lot of people wish to stop and rewind time. First time lang natin mamuhay sa mundo (It’s our first time living this life),” Pablo said, as the group went deep into thought as soon as the concept of related topics, such as stopping time, past lives, and reincarnation, was brought up.

He then asked his co-members if it was their first time living. Ken responded with an “oo (yes)” while Stell joked that he used to be a dinosaur, which led to Josh smirking in response.

“Nabanggit namin kung walang mistakes, walang learnings, mahalaga talaga siya. [But] definitely, I would stop time (We mentioned that if we don’t make mistakes, there are no learnings. It is important. But definitely, I would stop time),” Pablo said.

Stell and Ken animatedly confessed that they believe in the idea of a past life and reincarnation. “Kung isa kayo sa naniniwala kung anong pinapaniwalaan ko, mag-usap tayo,” Stell said. “Parang [kunwari] paggising natin, parang nangyari na siya sa’tin. Malay mo, buhay natin [dati] ang nag-flashback lang sa’yo. Napapag-usapan din namin ‘yun! What if may tao sa ibang planet [or] what if may aliens?”

(If you share the same beliefs as mine, let’s talk about it. For example, when you wake up, it’s like it happened to you already. What if it is a flashback of a past life? We talk about these kinds of topics too. What if people are living on different planets, or what if aliens exist?)

SB19 during an interview with INQUIRER.net. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net

Ken, on the other hand, said he has taken note of the dreams he had since he was young. “Noong bata ako, meron akong [napapanaginipan] t’as hanggang sa paglaki, meron siyang continuation. Sinusulat ko anong nangyari. It’s been years, nasa notes ko siya and then [kapag] napapaniginipan ko siya, sinusulat ko ulit.” He then asked his co-members and the writer herself how to define the phenomenon, much to no one figuring it out. “Hindi tayo uusad (We might not move on from this),” Pablo joked.

(I used to have this dream when I was young. It had a continuation until I grew up. I take note of what happened. It’s been years, and it remains in my notes. When I have that particular dream again, I will write it down.)

Toward the end of the interview, confusion and giggling ensued when the group was asked how they define “saktong simula at wastong wakas (the perfect beginning and right ending),” an apparent play on the EP’s title.

“‘Yung umabot ka ‘dun tapos hindi ka naabutan (When you went to a certain place then they didn’t reach you),” Pablo said immediately while Stell repeated the word play. On the other hand, Josh and Ken were smirking and laughing, respectively.

With a big smile, Justin joked: “Kung sumakit ang tiyan mo tapos mali ang wakas (When your stomach hurts and it ended badly).” The group joked around again, leading Pablo to respond, “Seryosong sagot (Let’s get serious),” assuming his stance as the leader.

“I wish [na] gusto kong pumasok or magsimula sa isang bagay na walang prejudice. Wala akong stereotype. Kasi sa dami ng experiences mo, medyo skeptical ka sa mga bagay. Hindi ka laging open minded kasi takot ka nang maloko [or] takot ka nang masaktan,” Pablo explained while Ken said “shocks,” before covering his mouth. ‘Yung perfect ending is ‘yung tipong satisfied ka pero gugustuhin mo pa.”

(I wish to enter into or start something with no prejudice. I don’t have any stereotypes. We tend to be skeptical because of our past experiences. You don’t have an open mind because you’re scared of being turned into a fool or being hurt. The perfect ending is you’re satisfied and you still want more.)

Sensing that it was already the last question, Stell added: “Katulad ng everyday na ginawa ko, sisimulan ko nang masaya, tatapusin ko nang masaya (Just like what I do. I want to start my day happy and end happy).” At this point, another banter ensued with the members laughing again.