MANILA, Philippines — Earlier this month, P-pop sensation SB19—comprising Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin—concluded a massive chapter of their career with the “Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Finale” concert at the SMDC Festival Grounds. Bringing together thousands of A’TIN from across the globe, the show was not just a musical performance but a deeply narrative experience built on a year of planning and a complex “mythology” created by 1Z Entertainment.
The concert served as the closing bookend to their “Simula at Wakas” world tour, which began a year ago at the Philippine Arena, solidifying the group’s commitment to elevating the Filipino multimedia industry through storytelling.
The creative team, led by Iana Forbes (Creative Services Manager) and Mikko Angeles (Creative Director/Writer), chose a medieval aesthetic to symbolize the “hard work and battles” required to elevate P-pop.
- The Mythology: The show was divided into “suites” following a hero’s journey. Elements like the castle, ancient trees, hooded cloaks, and even an apple were woven into the lore to represent stages of transformation.
- The Cycle of Becoming: Angeles explained that the “rites” in the show represented a moment where the “former self is given to flame” to allow a new form to rise—symbolizing the transition between SB19’s current era and what comes next.
Despite their grueling global tour schedule, the members of SB19 remained at the helm of the production.
- Hands-on Artists: “The boys make sure that they are on top of everything… from inception to execution,” Angeles noted.
- Interactive Storytelling: The production team used cryptic social media posts, puzzles, and a unique original language to keep fans engaged in the “decoding” process for an entire year leading up to the finale.
The “Wakas at Simula” stage was used to introduce the world to 1Z Entertainment’s growing roster, framing their debuts as part of the overarching narrative:
- XONARA: 1Z’s new girl group.
- J2X: A new solo hip-hop artist under the label.
- International Collaborations: The show featured J-pop group BE:FIRST and world-renowned choreographer Rie Hata, using an “interstellar/steampunk” aesthetic to seamlessly blend their performances into SB19’s mythic world.
While the concert felt like a final goodbye to the PAGTATAG! era, the creative team described the ending as a “semicolon.” With upcoming performances at major international festivals like Lollapalooza and Summer Sonic, the high-concept quality of the “Wakas at Simula” campaign serves as a global calling card for the group’s range and artistry.
“Starting it and ending it are as fulfilling as they are melancholy,” Forbes said, recalling the emotional drone show that capped the night. “But a new form always rises from the ash.”