SB19’s concert film screening connects Filipinos in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Filipino fans and members of the community gathered in Riyadh for the premiere-night screening of SB19’s “Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale,” bringing the music and performance of the P-pop group closer to Filipinos thousands of kilometers away from home.

The screening was attended by Filipino influencers, vloggers, students, representatives from schools, film and entertainment personalities, and community leaders from Riyadh and other parts of Saudi Arabia.

Held in collaboration with movie distributor Qanawat Group and the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, the event also served as a platform to showcase Filipino music and talent to a wider audience.

For many attendees, however, watching SB19 on the big screen was also a deeply personal experience.

Bart Penaranda, a certified A’TIN based in Saudi Arabia, said he was impressed by the group’s performance, particularly because it was his first time experiencing SB19 in a concert cinema setting.

“Alam mo, I was mesmerized almost the whole time because they are really high-level performers. And it was my first time watching them perform in a cinema concert,” Penaranda said.

For Filipino influencer Janelle Vales of Pink Tarha, SB19’s presence abroad carries a deeper meaning for Filipinos who are away from the Philippines.

“As a Filipino living abroad, SB19 makes me feel a little closer to home and a whole lot prouder to be Pinoy,” Vales said.

Beyond the performances, Vales said SB19’s journey, hard work and passion resonate with Filipinos working overseas.

“Filipino artists belong on the world stage,” Vales said, drawing a parallel between SB19’s journey and that of OFWs who are also pursuing their ambitions abroad.

Meanwhile, Filipino influencer and vlogger Pau Alarcon highlighted the broader message of the screening.

“The message of the screening last night was simple: Music and talent can cross borders regardless of your nationality,” Alarcon said.

The premiere brought together different generations and sectors of the Filipino community, including students and young content creators, reflecting the continuing interest in Filipino music and entertainment among Filipinos in Saudi Arabia.

The screening also provided an opportunity to introduce Filipino artistry to audiences beyond the Filipino community.

For organizers and community leaders, bringing a Filipino concert production to a cinema in Saudi Arabia represents another avenue for Philippine artists to reach international audiences.

More than a screening, the event became a gathering where Filipinos in Saudi Arabia could celebrate a homegrown act while also recognizing the broader potential of Filipino talent on the international stage.

As SB19’s concert journey unfolded on the cinema screen, the audience in Riyadh was reminded that distance does not necessarily mean being disconnected from home — and that Filipino music and talent can continue to reach audiences wherever Filipinos may be.