I’m a huge fan of SB19. Their music, aesthetic, and overall artistry are on a whole other level, and they keep pushing the envelope when it comes to what Filipino musicians and entertainment companies can achieve. They also make sure to listen to their fans and exceed people’s expectations of them. I could also go on and on about how impressive it is that they kept working hard for years even when it didn’t seem to them like they were bound to get anywhere. There’s a lesson there for all of us.
Their last EP, PAGTATAG! came out in 2023, and they’ve all been working on solo music since then. While that kept people happy and fed, everyone was still hungry for more new music from the group itself, so imagine how thrilled A’Tin were when “DAM” was released in February and when Simula at Wakas finally rolled out in April.
One thing that we all really liked about the “DAM” music video was the visuals, with many people likening them to Hollywood fantasy films. We were all pretty happy with the video, but SB19 still decided to blow us away with visualizers for their other SaW tracks and music videos for “Time” and “DUNGKA!”
And when we thought we were done being fed, SB19 announced the Simula at Wakas Experience, held at Gateway Mall in Cubao. The SaW Experience is an immersive experience featuring the world they build with SaW.
I was eager to check it out, but I didn’t want to join the crush of people storming the exhibit, so I decided to wait until the last week of June, which was supposed to be the exhibit’s last week. (Surprise—they ended up extending the exhibit indefinitely after we went.)
Check out the video I made of our visit to the SaW Experience.
The level of work, attention to detail, and creativity of SB19 and the artists they worked with is insane, and I don’t think I’ve seen something similar made by Filipino musicians before. Every motif, font, and symbol had a meaning, and it was also great to see creatives get the credit they deserve for their contributions to the world of SaW. It was interesting to see each SB19 member’s thoughts and ideas for their characters and their songs—it just proves how truly involved they are in every aspect of their work.
The SaW Experience definitely feels like a love letter to A’Tin, and as a fan, I think it’s a privilege that the group gave us more than a glimpse into their process. There was so much to take in, I actually thought that they’d do well to create a coffee table book about SaW in the future. Hey, 1Z, contact me; I have ideas and can edit your books for you!
