Always In All Ways

 

Every celebrity wishes to have supporters who could be their ride or die. A group of people who would be there for them for as long as possible, people who would help propel them to greater heights. Whether we like it or not, fans make or break their idols, and if there's anyone in the entertainment industry today that is lucky enough to find their ride or die, that would be SB19. Since before they debuted, they've already started to get the attention of some people who would later on become the reason they continues to succeed today. Imagine a Filipino boy group who managed to enter the Billboard Social 50 shortly after they debuted.

Their impressive rise to fame was nothing short of destiny. SB19 consists of five men with very different personalities and beliefs, yet all equally talented. Go Up dance practice video went viral just as they were about to call it quits. They felt like they already sacrificed enough, suffered enough, but fate had a different plan for them. All it took was one simple tweet and soon enough, more and more people recognized them. Since then, they haven't stopped or slowed down. They cemented their name in the entertainment industry, accumulated praises from legends and rookies alike. Now, seven years later, they've written so many "first and only Filipino" achievements in the OPM history. The most recent addition is their historic 3-peat win in the Billboard Fan Army Face-Off 2025.

For years since the voting competition started, every winner came from Korea, and understandably so. It was during the powerful rise of KPOP groups that the Fan Army Face-Off started. The Korean idol culture shown what fans can do to help propel a celebrity to fame when they are united. They dominated almost every aspect of the global entertainment for years. Then, in 2022, just three years after they debuted, SB19 was among the artists included in the competition. They've been making waves, but not enough for many to consider them as global artists, yet they went toe to toe against Stray Kids.

The very next year, SB19 came back stronger than ever, their fandom more united, dedicated, and organized and won. It was the first for a Filipino artist or group to win the competition, but they did. How did it happen? Let me tell you.

SB19 became a beacon, a guiding light for so many people over the years. Each member has a unique personality that resonates to a lot of people all over the world. Their music rescued thousands of people and still does today. The messages they share are stories of normal people who struggle day by day. I'm still quiet new in the community that SB19 built, but I've already came across hundreds of stories from different people about how they were saved by the group. They were all in the verge of giving up, but because of these five beautiful souls, they managed to summon the strength to keep going. With this emotional connection that the fans and the boys have, the greatest characteristic of a community was born.

DEDICATION

 SB19 named their fandom A'tin as both a nod to the group of people that first supported them, Aurum, and to remind themselves and their fans that no matter how big or small their achievements would be, it is theirs. What they built is not just an environment between an idol and their fans. It is a community built with trust, love, care for one another, and most especially, unbridled support to not just the talented men behind the name but also to their advocacy. SB19 rose to fame by sheer will, pure talent, and unrelenting determination. They achieved everything without the help of heavy machinery to back them up. They became their own machinery, fought their own battles, and won. It may not look like it, but even when they didn't achieve what they hoped for, they still won, and A'tin was a huge part of it all.

After the first win, A'tin became unstoppable, just like their beloved inspiration. Soon enough, the fandom earned the name "monster voters" because of how dedicated they are to take home the win every single time. I became a fan in January of 2024, when I almost sink back to my old and dark ways. They came to my life right on time, so when the BBFA 2024 happened, I didn't hesitate to contribute. Nobody forced me, nobody even told me to, I just did because I was inspired with the preparation and dedication of the whole fandom. It's infectious that even if you think you're not up for it, you will still find yourself learning so you can help.

Now, three years in a row, SB19xA'TIN is the BBFA champion. The first Filipino artist or group to win and the only Filipino to win consecutively. Each year after 2022, the number of votes that A'tin managed to accumulate kept growing exponentially. A testament to the continuously growing number of people supporting them. A'tin has been known to push forward no matter the odds. Despite the in-fighting, there is always one clear goal, which is to help Mahalima reach greater heights. This year's historical win is not the end of the fandom's journey. It's just a part of a long and bumpy road that will surely lead all of us to where our beloved boys wanted to be.

184 million+ votes

Haters love to belittle SB19 fans, questioning if they even have that big of a fanbase. Well, the 184 million+ votes A'tin accumulated at the end of this year's BBFA is a clear answer that SB19's fanbase should never be questioned again. In fact, them selling out the biggest indoor arena in the world in just 7 hours was already a proof enough that their fanbase shall never be doubted. The rawness of SB19's talent, their genuine heart, and the positive impact they have on people allowed them to gather the most loving and dedicated fandom that any celebrity would've wanted for themselves. It is the very reason why despite being in the industry for almost a decade, they are still unstoppable.