MANILA, Philippines — P-pop sensation SB19 has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at a significant spiritual milestone during their international travels: a meeting with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in Italy.
The encounter was documented in the group’s latest vlog, titled “SAWma-sama sa Italy and Qatar!”, which was released on their official YouTube channel on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Meeting at “Sama sa Roma” The meeting took place in October 2025 while the members—Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin—were in Italy for the religious Filipino event “Sama sa Roma.”
- The Encounter: While the group was preparing in their dressing room for their performance, Cardinal Tagle arrived to extend his well-wishes.
- The Exchange: Member Felip (Ken) told the Cardinal-Bishop of the Diocese of Albano, “Lagi ko po kayong napapanood” (I always watch you). In a lighthearted moment that drew laughter from the room, the Cardinal humored them by covering his face and jokingly responding, “Ah, talaga? Nakakahiya naman” (Oh, really? How embarrassing).
- Vlog Context: The vlog also captures the group’s subsequent flight to Qatar as part of their “Simula at Wakas” world tour.
Tour and Album Updates The release of the vlog coincides with several major milestones for the group:
- World Tour Finale: SB19’s “Simula at Wakas” tour, which began in May 2025, is set to conclude with a massive three-day event, the “Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale,” on April 18, 2026.
- New Music: The quintet recently released the “Simula at Wakas: Kickoff Concert Album,” featuring live recordings of tracks from their 2025 performances.
- Streaming Milestone: The group was recently celebrated for exceeding 1 billion streams on Spotify, solidifying their position as global leaders in the P-pop genre.
The meeting with Cardinal Tagle, one of the highest-ranking Filipino officials in the Catholic Church, underscores SB19’s role as cultural ambassadors for the Philippines, bridging the gap between mainstream entertainment and traditional community values.