SB19 Take Filipino Music to New Frontiers: Grammy Entries and a Senate Push for Global Mobility

SB19 are no strangers to breaking boundaries. Since debuting in 2018, the five-member P-pop group — Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin — have gone from a lukewarm debut single to selling out the Philippine Arena and performing at Lollapalooza. Now, they are setting their sights on two new milestones: a Grammy campaign and a legislative push to help Filipino artists travel and perform abroad.

Chasing Grammy Recognition

On Monday, SB19 announced they had submitted entries for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. The group is seeking recognition in two categories: Best Asian Pop Music Performance for "Visa" and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Lawless." Sharing the campaign on social media, the group thanked fans for supporting their international ambitions.

"From the Philippines to the world, thank you for believing in SB19. Let's continue to champion Filipino music and bring it to the global stage!" the group said in its post.

It is worth noting that submissions do not guarantee nominations — the Recording Academy's voting members determine which entries advance to the final list. Still, the move signals a deliberate strategy to position P-pop alongside the K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop acts that have long dominated the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, one of five new additions announced by the Recording Academy in June for the 69th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 7, 2027.

The campaign comes on the heels of a breakout year for SB19. In July, they became the first homegrown Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza, a milestone that has only fuelled their momentum. Their 2025 EP Simula at Wakas saw all of its tracks enter the Philippines Hot 100, with lead single "Dam" topping the World Digital Song Sales chart — a first for a Filipino act.

Advocating for Filipino Creatives at the Senate

SB19's ambitions extend beyond their own career. On September 30, the group visited the Senate to advocate for the Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE) Act, a bill introduced by Senator Bam Aquino that aims to enhance the global mobility of Filipino creative workers.

Senate Bill No. 2517 builds on Republic Act No. 11904, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, and includes provisions for financial and logistical assistance for artists traveling internationally — covering airfare, visa and travel documentation facilitation, travel insurance, and other support. It covers not only singers and performers but also filmmakers, animators, designers, game developers, writers, and cultural workers.

SB19's Stell spoke candidly about the challenges the group has faced when touring overseas. "We know how hard it is to perform in different cities, back-to-back shows. But you still have to think about your teams, you can't bring them along because of visa problems, or the unapproved budgets for plane travels," he said in a mix of English and Filipino. "It's very hard for an artist… We're artists, and at the same time, we're wearing different hats."

Those very struggles inspired their song "Visa," which draws on the group's own experiences crossing borders with their creative team. "We're very happy that finally, it's happening," Stell said of the bill. "Ever since we started as a group, we have many goals and visions that we want to achieve, not just for ourselves, but for the whole industry."

Why This Matters for P-pop

SB19's dual moves — a Grammy entry and a legislative campaign — reflect how far P-pop has come in just a few years. What began as a local experiment in idol training has evolved into a self-managed, globally ambitious movement. The group founded 1Z Entertainment in 2023 and has since launched its own acts, including rising P-pop girl group XONARA, who are set for their first overseas show in Singapore this October.

As SB19 continue to push for Filipino representation on the world stage, their efforts are not just about trophies or chart positions. They are about creating infrastructure — visa support, travel funding, industry recognition — that will outlast any single act. It is a blueprint for the next generation of Filipino artists, and one that could reshape how P-pop is perceived globally.