A’TIN, or fans of P-pop superstar SB19, woke up this morning with another surprise from the phenomenal quintet.
“MAHALIMA,” short for “mahal namin kayong lima” that fans use to address members of SB19, trended on X (formerly Twitter) after the group dropped a live performance video of their soulful R&B track “I Want You” on Tuesday, December 19.
Pablo, Stell, Josh, Ken and Justin collaborated with music video network Vevo for the song’s latest live performance video. The 3 minute, 45-second clip was filmed from the Vevo Studio in Brooklyn, New York.
It showed the five SB19 members at the center of a four-cornered space as they sang passionately to the song.
“I Want You,” which expresses the quintet’s genuine desire for someone, is the second single in the group’s latest album “Pagtatag!” released in June 2023.
The track was written by Pablo and Filipino-Canadian songwriter August Rigo, who has also written songs for popular K-pop boy group BTS. He co-wrote BTS’ “Black Swan” and “On” from its 2020 album “Map of the Soul: 7.”
SB19 released a sultry music video of “I Want You” in June 2023, featuring underwater shots of the members.
The quintet has been performing the R&B track in their television appearances and in their “Pagtatag!” concert tour.
The P-pop superstars were supposed to commence the Asian leg of their tour but the shows were canceled except for Japan, which was postponed to the first quarter of 2024.
The shows’ cancellations came after SB19’s departure from ShowBT Philippines as the band launched its own company 1Z Entertainment, with Pablo as its chief executive officer.
Speculations about the group’s dispute with its former label heightened when the members dropped the name “SB19” from their social media bios.
But on December 5, 1Z Entertainment announced that SB19 reached an “amicable agreement” with ShowBT Philippines. Although it was unclear in the agency’s statement what the agreement was all about, fans believed that it could be related to SB19’s rights to their group’s name and logo.
Speaking with ABS-CBN News, Josh confirmed that the group can promote as SB19 again after settling issues with their former label.
The group’s X handle @SB19Official became active again after the agreement was announced.
SB19 resumes shows
The quintet made their first public appearance as a group at the recent Asia Artist Awards (AAA) 2023 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on December 14, where they bagged the Hot Trend award and Best Artist (Singer) award.
During their AAA stint, SB19 collaborated with multinational boy band &Team for their high-powered “GENTO” performance.
“It’s indeed an honor to share the stage with so many great artists,” said SB19 in its X post.
On December 31, the group is set to perform at the “Ayala Avenue New Year’s Eve Countdown to 2024: A Grand Showcase of Filipino Talent” in Makati City.
