A Man That Can Move Mountains

 

Photo from @APRiENNEforJOSH on Twitter (X0

This is Josh Cullen now. An undeniably handsome man, one of the sexiest male celebrities of today's generation, and the nation's bias wrecker. People might think that he had everything from the get-go. Eloquent speaker, witty, and intelligent, one could easily assume that he was born with status. The truth is, you would be surprised by the amount of hardships, disappointments, and pain that this beautiful man had to endure. Nothing was handed to him. Everything he has now is the fruit of his hard work and determination.

Even before Josh became a member of a very successful PPOP group, he already had many achievements in life. As someone who went through so much and fought through life alone at fifteen, I know how easy it is sometimes to just give up and let the world beat you down. But quitting was never in Josh's vocabulary. He wanted to be something other than a kid who didn't even graduate from elementary.

Photo from SB19 Negros on Facebook

You see that young boy? That was Josh, a kid who had nothing on his name, living alone, but that kid had dreams and there was no stopping him. He took ALS to finish high school, taught himself everything he knew about computers, and became an excellent gamer. It was his escape as well as his secondary source of income. He had to hustle to support himself, and then he became a member of Se-eon, a dance group doing covers for KPOP idols. Their group bagged wins after wins, but he had a vision bigger than life.

Look at him now. Some people told him that he wouldn't make it, that he was delusional to even think of trying. Josh was not a natural dancer or singer. He honed his talent, developed it, and fought hard for it. He is the embodiment of the term you only lose when you stop. Whenever he steps on stage, he oozes with confidence, not because he knows his talent, but because he knows how hard he worked for it.

Photo from @JoshCullen_s on Twitter (X)

Wild Tonight was the perfect introduction to the solo artist Josh Cullen. He embraced A'tin's endearment that he's a real-life vampire. Well, nobody can blame them because of how youthful Josh looks. He is like a fine wine, the older, the better, but Wild Tonight is not just a nod at his exceptional look. On the first verse: 

Musta? Ano'ng dekada na ba? Gan'un pa rin ba? Sentido kumon, wala? Pustahan, 'di mo inakala, ako'y magigising nga sa'yong panggagambala. Nag-aabang magkamali, nakamasid lahat pero sandali. Hindi ako tumatanda, ngunit kayo hindi nagtatanda!

Sarili kong libingan ang aking tinutulugan. 'Di niyo na mapipigilan kahit pa ako'y tirikan ng kandila o pilak, ang kadilima'y mabisa.

This part speaks to the people around him, especially his haters. An artfully written way of calling out people who would rather waste their time hating on those who have never done them wrong. He started with his debut as a solo artist, and he doesn't plan to stop. We first got a glimpse of how far he could go when Iron Heart Season 2 OST came out. He and Pablo collaborated on the newest version of Sino Ka Ba?

Photo from Arambulo Live

The leader of SB19 was already known for having the capacity to reach high notes. There was no question about that, but Josh leveled up his game and sang his heart out. His high notes were on point, his delivery of his lines was exquisite, and the overall result of the collaboration from two of SB19's rap line was a blast.

Now, with his latest single, Josh Cullen proved that he is not just a dancer or rapper. His new single, Sumaya, showed another side of him. A side that A'tin and his BBQs haven't fully seen. A man carrying so much emotion in his heart, someone who is genuine at heart, and will be ready to let go even when it would probably kill him, for the people he loves. 

Photo from Billboard PH

He is the protector and defender of his brothers. Their shield when the hate gets too overwhelming, and the one they can rely on when the world seems to turn its back on them. Josh's life made him the man that he is today. Someone wise and strong, yet still kind and caring. A man who would literally move mountains if he must for those he holds dear in his heart. He deserves all the love in the world.