After making a historic debut at Lollapalooza in Chicago and Summer Sonic in Japan, the Kings of P-pop SB19 were honored with Senate Resolutions No. 545 and 573, which recognize their contributions to the Philippine Creative Industries through their international music festival debut.
Read: SB19 debuts new single ‘Lawless’ at Lollapalooza
Opening the stage wider for the next Filipino
“Masasabi nating matagal na nilang pinapatunayan na ‘gento’ talaga ang kayang gawin ng talentong Pilipino,” says Senator Bam Aquino, who sponsored Resolution No. 545. “Mahalagang kilalanin natin ang mga tagumpay na ito, dahil every time a Filipino artist steps onto the global stage, they open that stage a little wider for the next Filipino who dreams of doing the same.”
(“We can say that they’ve long proven what Filipino talent can truly do. It is important that we recognize this achievement, because every time a Filipino artist steps onto the global stage, they open that stage a little wider for the next Filipino who dreams of doing the same.”)
“Ang tagumpay ng SB19 ay patunay rin sa napakalaking potensyal ng ating creative industries. Kapag binibigyan natin ng pagkakataon at suporta ang ating mga artists, creators, musicians, dancers, producers at iba pang creative workers, hindi lang tayo lumilikha ng entertainment; lumilikha tayo ng trabaho, oportunidad, at isang mas malakas na presensya ng kulturang Pilipino sa buong mundo. At marahil ‘yon ang pinakamahalagang ambag ng SB19: sa bawat entabladong kanilang inaakyatan, dala nila ang kanilang pagiging Pilipino,” he continues.
(“SB19’s achievement is also proof of the great potential of our creative industries. When we give opportunities and support to our artists, creators, musicians, dancers, producers, and other creative workers, we don’t only create entertainment; we create jobs, opportunities, and a stronger presence for Philippine culture throughout the world. And perhaps that is SB19’s biggest contribution: on every stage they step on, they carry their being Filipino.”)
Likewise, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, sponsor of Senate Resolution No. 573, echoes the sentiment. “Pinaalala nila sa’tin na ang musikang Pilipino ay hindi lang simpleng entertainment; ang musikang Pilipino ay alaala, identity, at panawagang magkaisa.”
(“They remind us that Filipino music is not just mere entertainment; Filipino music is memory, identity, and a call for unity.”)
“For people whose natural language is music, SB19’s songs have become a way to say we are here, we have endured, and we have something beautiful to give our countrymen and the world,” Pangilinan says.
A dedicated agency for the creative economy
Aquino also announced at the end of his speech that he will be filing a bill that aims to support the creative economies. The bill, which follows a proposal by SB19 and 1Z Entertainment, seeks to establish a dedicated agency for the creative economy.
In a post-Senate session livestream, SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin shared more about the proposed bill, revealing they had met with the senator months before their Senate visit today, Sept. 28.
Josh, who spearheaded preparing the proposal to the senator, calls it a bill for the mobility of creative workers. “Ang pinaka-point no’n is siyempre if you’re working for a creative industry, medyo nahihirapan tayo… walang sector na dedicated for it,” (“The main point of it is of course if you’re working for a creative industry, we sometimes have a hard time because there is no sector dedicated for it.”) he says, likening creative industry workers to athletes who bring their skills from the Philippines to the world.
“Whether you’re an actor, filmmaker, behind the scenes, a VFX artist, a storyteller… You should be considered as one of the gems of this country because you’re trying to put out the experiences, talent, and creativity sa buong mundo.”
Aquino, who briefly joined their livestream, explained further: “Nag-present sila ng mga issues and problems of artists who go abroad. Doon nabuo ‘yong idea na we’ll put together an agency, similar sa KOCCA (Korea Creative Content Agency). Wala tayong gano’n,” Aquino shares. “From there, binuo namin ‘yong idea na baka maganda na may Philippine agency.”
(“They presented the issues and problems of artists who go abroad. That’s when the idea of putting together an agency similar to KOCCA was formed. We don’t have that. From there, we had the idea that maybe it would be good to have a Philippine agency.”)
The senator revealed that they got support from the Department of Trade and Industry for the proposed agency.
SB19 has been very vocal about the common difficulties faced by creatives in the Philippines—especially when it comes to securing visas and getting support when Filipino talents are set to represent the country abroad. This proposed bill comes as a concrete next step.
