Baka Kailangan Lang ng...

  SB19 did it again!

At 12 midnight on February 20, 2026, a single from the PPOP Kings was released. It was unlike anything they've released in terms of sound, so it is truly an SB19 kind of music. Known for their unorthodox and unconventional approach, the kings don't settle for a single genre, especially their leader and chief songwriter, PABLO. As a talented and genius artist, SB19's Pinuno often looks to current events, his and his co-members' personal experiences, current emotions, and things he wants to tell the world. His lyricism touches the deepest corners of a person's heart, igniting forgotten dreams and reviving dying souls. His ability to inspire people in the best way possible is a rare skill that not many artists of this generation possess.

PABLO's pen game and angelic voice partnered with the beautiful voices of his brothers, and they created some of the most captivating songs ever made. From Go Up to Dungka, the kings have ventured into many different genres. They are not afraid to try new sounds or break from any expectations people have of them, and those are just some of the reasons why they remain relevant even to this day. Since an SB19 song is a treasure box of rich lyricism, let's dive into the lyrics of their new song, VISA, written by the one and only, PABLO.

"Sabi ng marami, swerte raw ang makatapak ka ng tae" is an apt and comedic representation of Filipinos' many superstitions. Foreign, well-developed countries often mock us for believing in things they deem ridiculous, and so they see us as unfit for things greater than ourselves. It also represents our inherent belief in luck to try to ease our hardships. Despite being in this age of technology, we are still a third-world country at our core.

"Sa 'bila ng layo ng nilakad, at sila nama’y (Uy, trapik na!)" is one metaphoric representation of how the societal double standard gives blatant disadvantage to some people, especially the minorities. We have to go through a long and arduous process, while others, those who have connections and financial capacity, could just cut through the process and get ahead. It's funny that this line also represents a universal struggle of people who live morally and have basic etiquette. Some would follow the rules, fall in line patiently, or even waste their time going back and forth, while others can simply relax at home and wait for things to fall into place. Even in normal situations where we have to fall in line or wait for our turns, only to see people get prioritized, so much so that instead of having a smooth process, everything just turns into chaos.

"Amoy tagumpay, panis sa husay, galibreng sakay, 'wag lang bubuka"  is a line that talks about how much of a shark some people are. When they smell success from others, all they want is to ride the lightning. For sure, over the course of their career, SB19 has seen how the entertainment industry is full of leeches who would want to suck them dry and sharks who would love to attack at the first smell of blood. They are the ones who benefit from both the goodness and evil of any situation. People who gladly take advantage of anyone and cast aside those who no longer have use for them.

"Ako'y samurai mala Battousai, baliktad mo lang talim, aray ko" talks about being a fighter without violence. SB19 has always been a champion of creative freedom, quality art, and fair opportunity for all. They were never quiet in the face of attacks, whether it be personal or against their artistry. They always clapback, but most elegantly and artistically. Battousai is a known swordsman who vowed never to kill again. His newfound path to peace prevented him from killing anyone, only to defend himself. Though the PPOP Kings were never violent, they were never afraid to stand up for themselves. They don't just take the attacks against them; they fight back in their own way.

"Teka, teka, teka, teka lang." In the streets of the Philippines, especially in the slums of Manila, there's an expression that people like to say when something is not of good quality. Those who didn't grow up in the streets, among the lowest of the lows, wouldn't probably know it, but we like to call it "teka, teka". It means low quality, easy to break, or slow. And in Tagalog, "teka" and "teka lang" both mean to wait or wait for someone, depending on how they are used. SB19 waited patiently for their music to be recognized. They waited eagerly for opportunities to come and remained grounded in their hopes for success.

"’Di naman kailangan pa itong ipagyabang" is very SB19. No matter how successful they've become, regardless of the accolades they've achieved, their view of the world and themselves never changed. Humility is embedded in their genes, engraved at their cores, and burned in their hearts. "Mata sa langit, paa sa lupa" were not just mere words for them; they live by it every single day.  

"Hahayaan ko na lang ang mga madlang pipol. Ang umawit ng mundo aking tinagusan (What?). Ano? Ano raw? Break it, break it down. Tunay kang maingay, but you don't have to make a sound. And that's what's up, that's what's up. Truest, realest, yeah, at the top." Ken once said that the best revenge against their haters was success. He knew in his heart that they never needed to engage with their haters or to step down to their level. No, that is never the SB19 way. Haters can attack them on social media all they want, but SB19 would never speak their language back to them, not in the way the haters want them to. The kings will simply let their success sing their praises, and their fans will boast about their greatness.

"Tandang-tanda ko pa nung araw humiling (Mm). Sa bulalakaw ay nag-bang-bang-bang (Sapul). Balang araw, ako ay titingalain. Kasi nga kaya ako ay magaling." This chorus perfectly describes anyone who dreams of something bigger than themselves. It is a widely held superstition that if you see a falling star and wish for anything, whatever you wish for will come true. After all, that's all we can truly do, to wish upon a star and hope that all our hard work will eventually pay off. It's not just the Filipinos who dream of a better life; it is all people everywhere in the world. All of SB19's members were once dreamers; now, they are tirelessly paving the way for new generations of PPOP groups.  

"Wa' epek, wala pa ring dating (Wala, wala, wala). Kahit na ano pa ang gawin (Talaga, talaga, ano ba?)" is a universal sentiment, especially in the Philippines. We all feel it. The exhausting, never-ending hard work that doesn't seem to pay off. We've been breaking our backs, working nonstop, and yet, we are barely making ends meet. Why? SB19 has been forcing us to ask ourselves that question for seven years now, and in this new era, they are talking ever more loudly.

"Baka naman kailangan lang ng visa. Kaya to follow na ang aming vi-vi-visa." Pablo is best known for his genius lyricism and emotional, almost theatrical way of singing. He has an unparalleled ability to play with words, hide meanings underneath an entirely different message, and his unflinching bravery to call out injustice, unfairness, and everything that is vile and wrong in this country through his pen game. Fans are already calling him the modern-day Jose Rizal, fighting a silent revolution for the oppressed Filipino artists who struggle to earn a space in the music industry. Many A'tin had already pointed out that VISA may very well have a double meaning. VISA, according to Google, is an official authorization issued by a country that allows a foreign individual to enter, stay, or transit through that country for a specific purpose and period. Commonly, it is only valid for a certain period of time, and it doesn't even guarantee entry to another country, only to reach their border and request entry. Immigration officers of the country still have the authority to deny entry. VISA = Authorization, Validity in Filipino is Bisa.

"Noypi, noypi, noypi, noypi, yiee. Noypi, noypi, noypi, noypi, yeah. Noypi, noypi, noypi, noypi, yiee. Noypi, noypi, noypi, noypi, yeah (Hah)." This part is an earworm that will play in your ears repeatedly without you even thinking of the song. Repetitively saying "Noypi", practically an inverted version of "Pinoy", a slang referring to the Filipino citizens of our country,  as if calling to us all. It even forces the listeners to reflect on how we have been carrying ourselves as citizens of our beloved country.

Ang hirap talagang lumipad kahit na may

Patunay na kaya mo na kailangan pa ng

Visa, visa, ilapag muna kita

These three lines were three dependent clauses that can be connected to form a few different messages, another thing that Pablo is widely known for. "Ang hirap talagang lumipad kahit na may patunay" can easily be referring to the ridiculousness of Filipinos about their contrymen dreaming of something they, themselves, could never even think of. They hate lazy, jobless Filipinos, but they also despise ambitious, hard-working Pinoys. And there's the "Kahit na may patunay na kaya mo na, kailangan pa ng Visa", which is literally us, Pinoys, still looking for foreign validation. Our incessant need to be recognized by other races, and our laughable eagerness to support foreign acts rather than our own people. The last line, combined with the next line, "Bitbit ko na'ng mga bags, arat na, ’di ’to mga fake", is an artistic callout and revelation of truth. "Ilapag muna kita" can literally translate to show money, a requirement to be approved for a Visa to travel to another country, and the word "kita" in Filipino has two translations in the English language: "income" and "see". 

Having a high income allows you to travel and see other places, especially other countries. It also allows you to let people see your worth and power. When combined with "Bitbit ko na'ng mga bags, arat na, 'di 'to mga fake", both lines can now be interpreted to have the money and accolades they contributed to the country speak for them.

"Wow, ang galing, nabusog lahat sa'king sinaing. ’Nak ng pating, nagreklamo pang lata 'yung kanin. Sorry, pasensya ka na, 'lam kong napagod ka sa pagbayo. Hambalusin kita." This entire verse speaks about so many issues, some of which are directly happening to SB19 themselves. Ignorant fans of other groups and haters called them out on their PPOP Rise advocacy, saying the group doesn't even promote other groups or help them get new fans, which is hilarious and pathetic at the same time. It was never SB19's job to make any group famous. No one did it for them. It took hard work, perseverance, determination, and a bit of luck for the kings to rise to the top. Fans of another love to discredit SB19's achievement, but as the group rises to the top, they were never alone in their success. When MAHALIMA rose to stardom, it didn't just open new opportunities for them. It also opened doors for other Filipino acts.

The thing is, SB19 is not the only onethato experienced such treatment. Filipinos have an unnatural way of discrediting those who truly made something possible for others, for them to uplift their own preferences. It doesn't matter how much onehasd done for the good of the country. If there are Filipinos who don't like you, they'd do everything to tear you down. Another shameful trait of Filipinos is the love for benefits without hard work. There are so many of us who love living off on financial aaidby the government or those who care for them. In fact, those who are dependent ofonthers and never bothered to look for jobs are the ones who complain the most. It can be seen everywhere, from our communities, our workplaces, our government, and in the entertainment industry. Those who do less complain the most. 

In my opinion, the song talks about these main issues:

1. The ridiculous Visa requirements we must endure, especially for our athletes and artists.

Before the release of the single, PABLO reposted something about Alex Eala, a Filipina tennis player who has been bringing international recognition to our country. She had openly talked about her struggles in securing her requirements, especially for last-minute competitions. People like SB19 and Eala have struggled with the ridiculous amount of documents they have to secure to get their visa, when all they wanted to do was bring prestige and glory to our country. Another Filipino who recently experienced our system's incompetence was John Manalo, who was recently offloaded because of a slight tear in his passport, which, according to him,m wasn't an issue when he used the same passport on his previous travels to other countries. 

For someone who would apply for a passport and a visa for the first time, expenses could reach up to thirty to forty thousand, including transportation expenses while acquiring all the necessary documents and food allowance. Imagine spending all that money only to end up being offloaded or disapproved. Government officials have certain privileges that lessen their burden in acquiring a travel visa; our athletes and artists don't, which, to me, is unfair because our athletes and artists work just as hard, if not more, for our country. They give so much for our country, and our government can't even make it easy for them to submit their requirements.

2. Filipinos' colonial mentality.

All the names PABLO mentioned in the song were either half or part Filipino, but as some A'tin pointed out, they were notPhilippinee Passport Holders. Some or maybe even all of them never even lived in the country, and yet we are so quick to be "proud" of what they've achieved abroad. We like to jump to the "Proud Pinoy" bandwagon for non-pure-bloods who never truly knew the struggles of being a Filipino in this country. We think that them being half foreign makes them better than us, and it is truly quite sad. From the days of being colonized until today, when we are "free, we are still under the power of those who tried to break our spirit. 

For three hundred years, we were a colony of Spain until 1898, and it had beenonea hundred twenty-seven years since our freedom, and seventy-nine years since we formally became recognized as a sovereign country. Thousands of Filipinos gave their lives for our freedom, yet we were never truly free. We still think so little of ourselves that our only basis of success is foreign approval and validation. This is the biggest reason why many of us are quick to snub and dismiss our own countrymen in favor of foreign acts. When will it change?

3. Societal double standards.

Societal double standards are not only a Filipino problem, but a global problem. From the world'smisogynisticc views of women, to the unfair laws and justice systems between men and women, the rich and the poor, to job opportunities. Double standard is everywhere. We face it almost every single day, and it is truly exhausting. SB19 believes that all human beings have the same rights, and we should enjoy the same privileges.

  

4. Our country's vile Bureaucracy and broken system.

Our country, its government, and system have perfected one thing, making things difficult for our people. Imagine what a joke it is to be required to have a few years of job experience when it's your first time finding a job. Think about applying for a valid ID, and the requirement is another valid ID, when the reason why you need it is that you don't have one. Taxes from our salaries pay for everything that makes our country function, yet we are still being taxed for those that we basically paid for already. How frustrating it is to be assisted by a government employee who looked like they didn't want to do the job they were tasked to do, then see them smile for those who look like they have money and for foreigners? 

I, for one, know for a fact about the corruption in our government, and it is most obvious in our barangays. 4Ps members are all friends with the chairman and barangay kagawads. When the pandemic happened, our government gave out eight thousand dollars per family. Which families were given such financial assistance? Friends, relatives, and immediate family members of barangay officials. TUPAD, a government initiative to provide extra income to our less fortunate citizens, was supposed to help those who are actually in need. The truth is, those who are accepted in the program are also friends and relatives of barangay officials. It's always those who don't have a connection that are left behind suffering.

5. The greed and selfishness of those who are in power.

Greed and selfishness always destroy everything good and beautiful in this world, and as we've been seeing in our country, we're not that far from ruin. Take the entertainment industry, for example. Those who have real talents are buried underneath the forced hype of network favorites andoffsprings of veterans. How many truly talented acts with bright futures ahead of them disappeared without a trace? How many of them were destroyed by scandals that industry favorites have surely suffered themselves and survived because they were protected? In this country, the poor are paid by the government to be poor, so they can be manipulated while the rich get even richer. In the people in the middle who truly suffer, and yet they are the ones who can't complain

As Stell said, they are ushering in a new era where they don't give a shit anymore. They've always said what they wanted to say, but now, they are talking louder, so many more can hear them. They are all modern-day revolutionists, fighting for our country and our people, and they don't even get thanked for their hard work.