‘Time First’: Geloy Concepcion On Working With SB19 And Trusting One’s Pace As An Artist

In an increasingly fast-paced world, it’s not often that we get to fully appreciate just how valuable time is. While it may not be something we can control nor understand to the fullest extent, we do have the ability to choose what to do with it, something that visual artist Geloy Concepcion and P-pop icons SB19 are reminding us with their special project ‘Time First.’

Inspired by Concepcion’s very own ‘Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did’ project, ‘Time First’ is podcast series that shines a spotlight on real life stories exploring “running out of time” scenarios from special guests handpicked by SB19. Showcasing personal accounts from the likes of Gary Valenciano, James Reid, and even Concepcion himself, the project tells these individuals’ stories in a very candid manner. What results is a vulnerable, one-of-a-kind look into these people’s journeys, with Concepcion’s renowned artistic storytelling through photos, drawings, and scribbles playing a key role in the project’s visual aspects.

According to Concepcion, it was SB19 and their team who reached out to him first to collaborate on ‘Time First,’ with them knowing that his distinct style of visual storytelling would be perfect for the project.

“‘Yung SB19, hindi sila ‘yung pipilitin ano dapat boses mo. Kapag collaboration, hahayaan ka nilang gawin ang gusto mong gawin (SB19 aren’t the type to force you how your artistic voice should be. If it’s a collaboration, they will let you do what you want to do),” shares Concepcion to Billboard Philippines when asked what it was like working with the Kings of P-pop on this project. With this sign of utmost mutual artistic respect for one another, what resulted is something Concepcion describes as “very human” — down-to-earth, real, and honest.

Speaking of his own experience being on the podcast, Concepcion noted how much he enjoyed being able to talk to and get to know more about the members of SB19. “Nakakatuwa lang din makita ‘yung halo ng personality nila. Si Ken, tahimik. Si Stell, makulit. Si Justin playful din, parang bunsong kapatid. Si Josh parang kuya talaga at maraming alam. Si Pablo, parang pinuno talaga. Kaya solid talaga lahat (It was fun to see the mix of their personalities. Ken was quiet. Stell was playful. Justin was also playful, like a youngest sibling. Josh really felt like the eldest and knew a lot of things. Pablo was really like a leader. This is why everything was solid).”

Adding to this, Concepcion took the time to note just how happy he is for the quintet, noting how much they deserve their present-day success. “Tumataya rin talaga sila e. Hindi sila ‘yung parang, ‘Sikat na tayo e. Kahit ano na lang gawin natin‘ (They take risks as well. They’re not like, ‘We’re already famous. Let’s just do whatever.’),” he expounded, noting how their recently concluded Simula At Wakas concerts at the Philippine Arena were testament to this. “Tinodo nila. Pinag-isipan talaga nila. Hindi sila naging complacent. (They pushed their limits. They really thought about everything. They didn’t become complacent.)”

Ultimately, this intentionality of SB19’s that Concepcion speaks of is evidently present in how he and the group worked together closely to bring ‘Time First’ to life.

In terms of the visual aspect of things, Concepcion noted how the process was fairly simple and straightforward, reflecting his and SB19’s desire for the project to be as raw and authentic as possible. In Concepcion’s case, this included photographing each guest on the podcast as quickly as possible after the recordings, with little to no need for styling and just presenting themselves as they are in the moment. Afterwards, Concepcion would then write down in his unmistakable writing each guest’s most standout quotes over their respective photos.

For him, it was somewhat seamless to incorporate the artistic essence of ‘Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did’ with ‘Time First,’ given how the themes of both projects naturally intersect as they touched on the likes of regrets, hope, and more. He notes how these topics and themes are all “time-bound,” making them the natural bridge between the two projects.

With this, Concepcion notes that if there was something he has learned over the years in working on ‘Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did,’ it’s that being considerate and mindful of other people is the most important lesson of all. This is something that has ultimately driven his personal intentionality with his work, including working on ‘Time First.’ “Iba-iba tayong tao, pero meron tayong experiences na hindi naman natin sinasabi out loud pero nagba-bind sa atin (We’re all different people, but we have experiences that we don’t say out loud but bind us together),” he expounds. “Kahit magkaiba pa tayo ng views, pareho lang tayo. Maging considerate ka sa iba. (Even if we have different views, we’re all the same. Be considerate of others).”

For Concepcion, telling such stories is the duty of every artist in this world, emphasizing the power that art holds. With whatever abilities, interests, or passions each artist may have, Concepcion believes that it is the artist’s calling to tell stories in their own, unique ways, whether it be in subtle or straightforward manners. Speaking from example, Concepcion notes how heartwarming it is for him to see how his own work has inspired positive change in people, especially when it comes to people choosing to document more of their lives and the people they love.

Similarly, through ‘Time First,’ he also hopes that the project can inspire his fellow creatives, particularly when it comes to choosing to not give up on what they are passionate about. “Sa artists, lagi kong sinasabi, ‘Wag kang mag-quit pero ‘wag ka ring magmamadali‘ (To artists, I always say, ‘Don’t quit but also don’t rush’),” he states, noting how much of crucial role one’s handling of time plays in their own artistic journeys. “Okay lang na hindi tuloy-tuloy o pataas ang ginagawa mo. Magtiwala ka lang sa sarili mong pacing. (It’s okay if what you’re doing isn’t continuous or going upwards. Trust in your own pace).”

Adding to this, Concepcion also emphasizes strongly that just because you do trust in yourself doesn’t mean that everything you want to happen will, in fact, happen. Rather, the important quality one needs to cultivate is the ability to accept and learn from losses and failure, no matter how many times one faces them.

All in all, if there’s any message or effect that Geloy Concepcion hopes that ‘Time First’ will leave behind on the people tuning in, it’s for them to actively value their time and “play their cards right.” And, ultimately, with ‘Time First’ embracing the idea of us not having control over time, Concepcion emphasizes for us to stop, contemplate, and become more intentional in how we make use of it. For him, this is the greatest gift that we can give other people — the ability to prioritize time for what is truly important to us above all.

Watch SB19’s ‘Time First’ podcast episode featuring Geloy Concepcion below: