Pablo, before a performance, mutters that his hands are shaking. Could it be that he’s under pressure? He wonders aloud, his panicked eyes betraying what seems to be an ongoing anxiety attack. This moment, along with other up-close and intimate footage of SB19, is captured in Jed Regala’s documentary film SB19: PAGTATAG! The Documentary.

Viewers should not expect extensive concert footage. The film focuses solely on the behind-the-scenes of the SB19 PAGTATAG! World Tour, which spanned from mid-2023 to 2024 during the promotion of their titular EP, released in the summer of 2023. 

With a strong cold open, Regala’s no-fuss documentary maintains a sharp focus on its subject: the emotional, mental, and spiritual states of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin amidst their fame and the demands of an 18-concert tour.

The documentary covers a crucial chapter in SB19’s career — their second world tour as an established P-Pop group, now self-managed under their own label, 1Z Entertainment.

Regala wastes no time on the basics and origins of the group. Assuming viewers are already A’TIN, he skips introductions — no genesis or backstory is provided. Instead, he offers a glimpse into the preparations, rehearsals, and creative brainstorming for PAGTATAG!, including the main dramatic conflict: the series of concert cancellations.

Regala captures the reaction of the group and their company when, on the brink of a bigger world-stage adventure — Japan, Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore — the group is suddenly thrust into uncertainty with the threat of disbandment, canceling one overseas show after another.

Interestingly, the document doesn’t go into details of the issue, merely mentioning in passing that the name SB19 can no longer be used. We are only given cautious reactions to what is clearly a difficult journey for the team.

Switching between snippets of interviews with the five kings of P-Pop in a simple, nondescript living room and collected footage of backstage, dressing rooms, foreign cities, and hotel rooms, Regala captures the quintet’s essence over the span of a year. He provides a fly-on-the-wall experience, focusing on candid conversations away from the public eye. 

Perhaps the most humanized depictions of the boys are their performance jitters, expressions of tiredness, fear, and anxiety — captured in small talk, rehearsal footage, and personal confessions of their emotions. 

The best part of the documentary is the insight into the group’s creative process. SB19 are not just a troop of pretty-face packaged pop stars, or a mere product of a rigorous training camp, but passionate musical artists with real impressive talent. Each member finds genuine pleasure in performing and perfecting their craft, driven by a dream to put Filipino music on the global map and to give their audiences the best experience every single time. 

The film captures their serious, committed creative collaboration with Direk Jen and choreographer Kuya Jay, with their audience (A’TIN or otherwise) always in mind. Regala showcases the joy of SB19’s creative freedom as they become involved in music video productions, dance moves, costumes, and stage design.

Fame does not seem to go to their heads; none of them exhibit a diva attitude. The documentary shows not a bunch of young celebrities but hardworking creatives always striving to surpass their previous performances.

Led by 1Z Entertainment CEO Pablo and their small trusted staff, the SB19 experience feels like a family endeavor, alongside their backup dancers, the Skouts, whom the group has grown dependent on.

The most recent footage in the documentary is from May of this year. Given that the film was released just three months later, it explains the lack of cinematic feel and distinct style. It feels somewhat rushed and has the quality of a magazine show segment.

Apart from man-on-the-street interviews highlighting the impact of SB19 on the mental health of some A’TIN, Regala’s footage primarily consists of tight shots. The camera focuses on fans who appear mildly pleased, without any dramatic idol-worship reactions such as crying or wild excitement.

The world tour videos also feature shots of small crowds, tight shots of the stage and the front row of the concert, or borrowed footage. This approach prevents viewers from experiencing SB19’s massive fanbase and phenomenal fame, which might lead those unfamiliar with SB19 to perceive them as a group just starting out.

Despite its technical roughness and a sense of rushed work, Regala’s storytelling is economical and emotional, with a touching, hopeful ending. The way he stitches hundreds of pieces of footage together, and editing them to tell a significant period in SB19’s story, makes it an overall satisfying documentary. After all, it’s the boys’ “pagtatag” phase — a time of struggle and trial that further strengthened the group, just in time to be reborn into the next chapter of their career.

Don’t miss the limited theatrical release of SB19: PAGTATAG! The Documentary until September 1.