FREEDOM

One word that means so much to a lot of people. This is the one thing that many of us wanted so bad but could never get, and those that did should never take it for granted. Freedom is not only about not being in a cage or jail. It is about being free to live and love however we choose, and be whoever we want to be. It's one of the most basic rights that a human has, yet it is the easiest to take away and harder to keep. For SB19, their freedom was one of the most important things in their career. It was about them having the ability to express themselves the way they want and create music for themselves and by themselves. I think it is safe to say that it is what every true artist wants.

 

SB19 had a long and hard journey before they debuted, and they had an even longer and harder journey after. They received all kinds of hate and insults, even from the media. In my years in this world, I have never seen any artist be disrespected the same way, yet they handled it with so much grace. Rumor has it that after that wretched presscon, they cried and hugged each other in private. Whether that was true or not, no one should ever have to go through such mistreatment. Learning their journey and the story behind their separation from their old management, I wasn't surprised. The way I see them, nothing will ever be able to box or contain them.

Heaven ay parang

Malayo sa katotohanan

Bigla nang iyong hawakan

Sa tangan mo'y aking naramdaman

They worked hard to earn enough so they can finally achieve that freedom they craved. I can only imagine the sacrifices they had to make to come up with enough funds to build their startup team. In truth, all they had were each other and A'tin, but that was more than enough for them to keep fighting. Freedom, for me, is their song for each other. A message of gratefulness and love, and a promise that they are not yet done. 

'Pag ika'y kasama, 'di nababahala

Langit ang biyaya ng 'yong presensya

'Wag na 'wag ka na sana pang mawawala

'Pagkat pakpak ko'y 'yong binuka

Lilipad nang malaya kasi nga

Change was evident even before they announced their separation from their old management. There was more grit, drive, angst, and ultimately, more power. It was a like a dawn of a new era because it wasn't just their music that improved, everything became better. The way they carried themselves, the look in their eyes, and most importantly, how comfortable they were. It was all evident, therefore, it is safe to assume how much this song means to each of them. 

You are my freedom

Oh, damn, it feels so great

We gotta celebrate, oh, yeah, oh, yeah

You are my freedom

Brought out the best in me

Forever I'm in debt of you, of you

You are my freedom

Don't know who sent you here

Not mad, you're welcome, dear, don't disappear

You are my freedom

*Now, I can fly away*

*I'm taking you with me, I'm in heaven*

It might not be too much of a leap to say that they stayed together out of love for each other and their fans. They could've just disbanded and went on their separate ways. They could still be friends, and it would have been a lot easier, but they didn't. They stuck together and faced everything together because they weren't just bandmates, they were brothers, a family. The message of FREEDOM is not just about being free for the sake of their career or a thank you to A'tin. This song was written as a confession of love between five people who had been through worse and survived together.

Oh, para bang barko

Akong naglalayag sa gitna ng bagyo

Sinagip mo 'ko

Sa negatibong dala ng mundo

Silakbo ko nang pagsamo

Na sana ay walang magbago

Baka 'di ko kayanin, oh

Mawalay pa sa iyo, oh-oh

Even the music video of this song says it all. How bright it was? The way it showed their happiness together? Before A'tin and everybody else, they had each other and their families. Every time they had to face something, they did it together. They hurt and celebrated together, smiled and cried together, and they failed and succeeded together. If I'm being honest, theirs is the most wonderful relationship I have ever seen. No matter what anyone say, they've gotten so comfortable with each other that they don't have to be anything else but themselves. Isn't that the most beautiful relationship there is?

At ngayo'y kasama na kita

Wala nang kahit na anong bahid ng pangamba

'Wag na 'wag ka na sana pang mawawala

'Pagkat kapayapaan kita

Ako'y malaya ngayon kasi nga

In one of Justin's interview, he said they already locked themselves with each other by building 1z Entertainment. Josh once said that he sees himself still with brothers many years in the future, while Ken said he'll die as an SB19 member. Our sunshine, Stell, said he would rather have his brothers than any recognition, and Pablo said the people he's with right now are not expendables. They are the people he will be with for the rest of his life.

Ooh, yeah

Ako'y nagpapasalamat, 'di mapaliwanag

Ooh, yeah

Dahil ikaw ang liwanag, 'di kailan magdidilim

SB19 had a very long six years as artists and a group, and I am certain that they will many more together. Their careers may end one day, but their friendship will surely remain, and personally, for me, that would be enough. Simply knowing that no matter what happens in the future, they will remain as brothers is already enough because they've been through so much to just drift apart in the end. I'm sure many A'tin has the same hope as I do. For them to stay together, always.