True Beauty

 

If handsomeness could kill, Pablo has about a thousand ways to murder us all. He may not be the most handsome man you could ever see, but there is something about his beauty that will make you question your decisions in life. LITERALLY! I, for one, am more of a tall-dark-and-handsome kind of woman. Raggedly handsome men appeal to me more compared to the boy-next-door type of guys. It's probably because of my personality. Good boys won't last, if I must say. So it was not surprising when I became an instant fan of Felip/Ken the first time I saw a Facebook reel showing all his OOTDs. He was my kind of guy, even his music.

But the moment I got to know SB19 as a group and its individual members, Pablo ended up as my ultimate bias and Josh as my bias wrecker. My only intention of getting to know the group was to know more about the other side of Felip, the Ken of SB19, yet as I watched their videos and learned more about them, Josh caught my attention, specifically his life story. I instantly felt connected to him, not to mention he was naturally charismatic and handsome. I thought that was it. I enjoy their collective humor and their music. They are naturally talented, and there's no doubt about it. I was dead wrong.

This man just slithered his way into my heart and mind. The more I listened to him talk, the more I became entranced by his mind's beauty. Shortly after, I started to realize that he had one of the most beautiful pairs of eyes I have ever seen. Eyes that don't lie and tell a story. When I watched their Wish Bus performance of Ilaw, I experienced the unexpected. The moment Pablo began his emotional part in the song, I felt a hand crushed my heart. I felt his pain, and when he sang that part where he almost screamed and broke down, I was sobbing.

Appreciating his voice also made me appreciate his physical beauty. I realized that he had a hermaphrodite look on him. The perfect balance of masculine and feminine features gave him an enchanting face, especially when he smiled. From then on, I can no longer stop raving about how gorgeous he is.

However way he dresses, toned down or flamboyant, simple or extravagant, his natural beauty cannot be contained. This is probably the reason why most people don't appreciate him at first look, especially if they only see him through photos and videos. A camera lens, no matter how good and expensive it is, can't give justice to the beauty of this man. His beauty is meant to be seen in the flesh, at least once for he will surely leave anyone in awe. Pablo is that pleasant surprise you would never expect when meeting SB19 in person. Even seeing him from afar can make your brain shut down and malfunction.

 It makes me wonder, if God exists, what was he thinking while creating this man? Was his goal to drive many of us crazy? Because if it was, then he definitely did a good job.

How is it even possible for a man to be handsome and beautiful at the same time? Whether in a skirt or suit, ragged jeans or performance costumes, barefaced or full glam, Pablo is a beauty that will leave a mark in someone's mind for a very long time. Admiring him will never be a passing fancy, especially since his beauty is eternal. It will be engraved in your mind, haunting you from the moment you wake up until you close your eyes at night. There is something special about him that I can't put my finger into. The first time I saw him in person at Kartilya, I realized his charm was a wormhole swallowing everything in his path.

 

Aurora Borealis

What is an Aurora?

According to Google, it is a natural electrical phenomenon characterized by the appearance of streamers of reddish or greenish light in the sky, especially near the northern or southern magnetic pole. The effect is caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the upper atmosphere. In northern and southern regions it is respectively called aurora borealis or Northern Lights and aurora australis or Southern Lights. To put it simply, aurora is a natural display of beautiful lights in the sky.

But for many A'tin and Hatdogs, our aurora is our beloved Pinuno, Pablo. He literally radiates so much light that blankets the people around him. It's the Pablo effect when someone gets close enough and feels his warmth and overall goodness. His selflessness is immeasurable and palpable, you could almost taste it. Pablo is a dreamer, but not for himself. He dreams of a time when OPM is not only an afterthought in the global scene, but a booming genre from a country full of talented people. He dreams of a time when music is not only something the country loves but a contributing factor to our economy.

Slowly, his dream is becoming a reality. The first step was for PPOP  to be accepted by Filipinos. There have been many pop group acts before, but none of them made an impact that opened the door for a sub-genre of music to be recognized in the country. Most of them didn't last to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Pinoy pop was merely an identity of each artist singing songs that fall under the said genre, but not anymore. When SB19 debuted in 2018, they carried an entire sub-genre on their backs and inspired other aspiring artists to follow in their footsteps.

Now, SB19 is no longer alone in this movement. New generations of PPOP groups have emerged, adding flavors to an already beautiful sub-genre of music. Pablo has been at the forefront of this movement. Despite all the insults, hate, and hurdles they had to navigate through, they're still here, giving us quality music one after another, thanks to their responsible and caring leader. All the members of SB19 are living testaments of Pablo's character and greatness. The songs they've released since they started are evidence of his genius mind, yet we barely hear him talk about his work.

This man would rather talk about his members and their achievements, highlight their contributions, and promote their individual crafts than boast about his own talent. It was never about him, even though he deserves it. In one of his interviews, Pablo said it's okay if people don't remember him. What's important is the experience and the feelings they felt from listening to his songs. That's the legacy he wants to leave behind, the ability to take people on a musical journey. The purity of his heart is unparalleled and it inspires his fans to do better, to become a better version of themselves.

Last Sunday at the Watson's Playlist concert, everyone in the crowd witnessed how happy and fulfilled Pablo was seeing how the concert attendees cheered for each group. There was not a single dull moment even for the pre-show performer, New:lD. It was a night of respect and appreciation for all the PPOP groups that performed and gave their all. There was an undeniable sense of pride from the groups beginning from Alamat to Hori7on. It was almost as if they were saying: 'This is it! We belong here!"

At the end of the final performance, we all witnessed how Pablo cheered for each group as DJ Ai introduced them one last time. His smile never left his lips making him glow at the center of that stage. He looks like a proud older brother cheering for his younger siblings as he watches them achieve their respective dreams. He once said that being a leader is a parent, a mother, and a father, and assuming both roles. He has been taking on both roles for almost six years, and with how PPOP is thriving, I know that he feels fulfilled.

Pablo is truly the Aurora of PPOP, a beautiful light that shines far and wide, inspiring others to face their fears and chase their dreams. As his supporter, all we could hope is for his light to never dim for the world still needs people like him.

The One True Alpha

 A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of blame and a little less than his share of credit. — John C. Maxwell

@mojhirann on Twitter (X)

Pablo is the kind of person who barely takes credit for anything, even after doing everything by himself. He vocally praises others for their contributions, no matter how big or small, but he never likes it when he gets the spotlight. Often, he would rather stand in the back and let others enjoy the applause and praises. This is one of the remarkable things about a man like John Paulo Nase. He recognizes talent and hard work, yet he is happy to be overlooked and set aside as long as the people around him are lifted.

For someone so talented, there is no doubt that he could have chosen to chase fame and glory all by himself, and he will succeed. He could easily write songs that the general public would easily consume and be hailed as the greatest artist of his generation, but he wanted something else. Aware of his talent and intelligence, Pablo aims to uplift many people for as long as possible. Honestly, this is one of the many reasons why he became my ultimate bias. A very selfless man overflowing with greatness. Last Sunday was proof that I made the right decision in choosing him.

I saw this tweet on X, and a mixture of emotions suddenly overwhelmed me.

Photo from @lisae1009 on Twitter (X)

Yes, Sejun. Thank you for not giving up when you already had all the reasons to. 

SB19 paved the way and opened doors for other aspiring artists to have equal opportunities to showcase their talent, but Pablo's leadership shaped the path that the group paved. His members have always been vocal about how he helped them improve, inspired them to work hard, and taught them to believe in themselves. His genuine kindness and compassion radiate toward his members just like a white light bouncing off a prism creating different colors. He is the white light, pure and divine, shining brightly for one purpose, to give color to others.

At the Watson's Playlist concert, I watched in awe as every single group performed with so much passion and drive. In my mind, I knew that part of the reason was because they wanted to show their older brothers in the community that they deserved their spot, and that no one was playing around. That is the kind of competitive vibe the PPOP community needs. No hate or shade towards others, just pure healthy competition meant to push each other to break beyond perceived limits and boundaries. It was an electrifying and magical night as I witnessed the lights from the crowd change from yellow to red to purple to white, and finally to blue. I felt like I was surrounded by the stars shining brightly in the vast darkness of the universe.

And then I remembered, that was Pablo's and his brothers' dream. All I could do was smile.

The final performance blew the roof as Alamat, Horizon, and SB19 performed Bazinga followed by Hit Me and Dagundong, and ending the explosive performance with the anthemic What?. I could feel the heart in every move and the grit in their voices, and it made me feel proud. It's no longer just a dream anymore. Mahalima's dream is now a reality and it can no longer be stopped. Despite the distance, I could clearly see Pablo hyping Alamat and Hori7zon, even providing backup vocals, while Stell continuously danced at the side of the stage. Many A'tin also noticed Justin's worried look when he realized that the other groups were experiencing technical difficulties. They were like big brothers, looking out for their younger siblings.

At the end of their collaborative performance, while DJ Ai was providing the closing remarks, thanking everyone who attended the concert, and doing the final bow for the performers, my eyes zoomed in on my ultimate bias. He was genuinely happy and proud. It was evident in his eyes and smile. I knew he was tired, possibly from everything they'd been doing behind the camera, but he was happy and fulfilled as he watched the crowd cheer for everyone. At one point before the end of the concert, while all the performers were still on stage, I lost sight of him. Then I found him walking towards the back of the other groups. Ken followed closely. I knew what he was trying to do: giving the final spotlight to the others, but in the end, they all went behind him and he was back, front and center. 

This is Pablo, the Alpha of PPOP.

@kriszmc_ just look at him being pretty 🥹 #sb19 #sb19_pablo #pablo #watsonsplaylist #watsonsplaylistconcert #fyp #foryou @truiszmc ♬ Butterfly - Instrumental - Piano Tribute Players

Be LIMITLESS!

 

SB19, especially their leader, Pablo has always been about breaking norms and breaking away from traditions. This is evident in their group's music and Pablo's solo songs. In the Philippine music industry today, there is one group that stands out, especially in PPOP when it comes to being unconventional and fearless. That is the three-member girl group, G22. Their sound, the way they present themselves, and their overall character are different from everybody else, which is why they are fittingly called the PPOP's Female Alphas.

They are unapologetically confident about themselves and their talent without being arrogant. Their take on music can be considered different. When other girl groups go for softer music, G22 goes all out with hard-hitting beats and lyrics. Just like SB19, they mostly write their own songs, and personally, I think they are so underrated. Whenever they step on stage, their numbers multiply. Despite being just three in the group, whenever G22 performs, they literally devour the whole stage it feels like no matter how big the stage is, it will always be too small for them.

Their world-class performance in Show It All China was at par with the biggest performance from international artists. They have the impact of phenomenal performers, and they are not afraid to show what they have. In this aspect, G22 and SB19 are the same. They have what it takes to compete with anyone, yet their feet remain on the ground. Yesterday, Acer Philippines finally unveiled the song that Pablo wrote and composed titled Limitless, performed by G22. I have to say this, the song is an absolute banger!

Pablo's genius songwriting skills and G22's powerful voices gave life to another hard-hitting song. This shows how great Pablo is in getting out the best from an artist while challenging them with things they are not used to. Also, this song proved how versatile and talented the girls are. Each of them shone on their parts, displaying their fortes and bravery. No other group could have sung Limitless the way G22 did. They were the perfect voices the song needed. But this song did not just prove Pablo's songwriting skills or G22's vocal prowess.

RadKidz, the power duo that is Pablo and Josue, showed once again that they are a force to be reckoned with. Still considered rookies, the duo already started to show how talented they were in giving sounds to words that would resonate with the right people. Their ability to mix the right amount of instruments and play with different elements to give an authentic feeling to a song is incredible. Many of us already know the talented brother, Josue. He has a unique sound that delivers a deep meaning and sends a hard punch into the hearts of his listeners. With him on Pablo's side, they have a bright future ahead of them.

Many A'tin loves to say Pablo in his elements whenever they see Pinuno writing or composing, and they couldn't be more right. He is a great performer for sure, but when Pablo is in creator-mode, there's an invisible force around him. The authority he has and the anticipation for greatness is always palpable. A multi-talented artist trusted by brands to create something that would represent their missions and visions is such an honor, especially for a young artist like him.

The Mentor

 

Recently, The Voice Kids revealed the last coach to complete this year's mentors. A'tin and Hatdogs rejoiced to finally receive the confirmation everyone had hoped for. This is not just a great way for SB19's leader to be introduced to more people, but also to share his talent and wisdom with young aspiring talents. Aside from being the chief songwriter and composer of the group, all the members of SB19 have always been vocal about how Pablo helped them along the way, especially in honing their talents.

Pablo once said that being a leader is being a parent and assuming both roles; a mother and a father. You must be firm in handling your group and making decisions, yet you must be nurturing and caring, too. You must be the first to test the waters and guarantee safety for everyone. With how the group's career is going, as well as each member's solo career, we can confidently say that he has done a good job as a leader. Now, it's time for him to share his knowledge with younger generations.

Pablo is a rare gem. He has a massive talent and can excel in anything he does, yet he mostly enjoys sharing his craft. When others would grab all opportunities to climb to the top, even the negative ones, Pablo is the happiest working with others. His genuine love for music overpowers his hunger for fame and glamour. His selflessness allowed everyone around him to shine as brightly as they could. In his interview with The Ripple, he said being on top is sad as you would be alone there. He would rather humble himself and help as many people as he could to reach success.

The Void Kids is the perfect avenue for him to hone young talents outside their company, 1z Entertainment. Any child who would be a part of his team is lucky for he, or she would be under the wing of a great artist. His knowledge and vision are truly ahead of his time. His goal for Philippine music is unconventional and is still hard to accept for many, but he is unbudging, unbending, and is never afraid to take risks. What he does is revolutionary, and in the years to come, people will remember him as one of the pioneers of the new breed of talent the country has.

Having been able to create hits that would go down in history and will be remembered for generations, his skills in creating beautiful music, and developing the natural talent an artist has, like what he did for his group, Pablo has the caliber to be a The Voice coach. This was seen by the people behind the internationally acclaimed singing contest. According to Inquirer.net, Pablo's meticulousness and his musical command made him stand out. They saw the value of having someone like him in the talent show, especially in helping young talents.

In an interview with Inquirer and other select reporters, Ms. Gigi Santiago-Lara, the VP for Musical Variety and Specials said they saw how Pablo related to the talents. They noticed his meticulous nature when it comes to music, and his command of what he thinks is good, something that a talent coach should have. Now that his participation in the talent show has been confirmed, his fans are excited to see how he would teach his mentees. People who don't know Pablo probably see him as someone strict and serious, or even scary, which is true when he is all business. What casuals don't know is that he also has a childish side. He is playful and inquisitive, curious about many things, and is always appreciative of even the smallest gestures.

All we can say now is good luck and WE WANT YOU, Coach Pablo!