SB19’s Advice to Their Younger Selves, XONARA’s Global Dreams, and J2X’s Rising Career
From looking back on the struggles that shaped them to preparing for international stages, the artists of 1Z Entertainment have stories that go beyond the spotlight.
Every artist has a story behind the spotlight, the doubts they had to overcome, the risks they took, and the people who helped them become who they are today. At the press conference for One Zone Fest (OZF), the artists of 1Z Entertainment offered a glimpse into these personal journeys as they looked back on their beginnings and shared what lies ahead.
Set for October 24 and 25, One Zone Fest brings together SB19, XONARA, and J2X for a two-day celebration of music and Filipino talent. But beyond the performances, the artists’ stories reveal what makes their journeys worth celebrating in the first place.
What would SB19 tell their younger selves who were just starting in the entertainment industry? Their answers were a mix of hard-earned wisdom, encouragement, and reminders that even the biggest dreams begin with uncertainty, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
For Stell, the message was simple: give yourself credit for how far you’ve come. “Congratulations! Marami kang nagawang mga bagay na ‘di mo ine-expect na kaya mo pala kasi marami kang doubts,” he shared. He encouraged his younger self to keep believing, reminding himself that the doubts will eventually fade.
Josh, meanwhile, would tell his younger self to embrace being different even when others don’t understand the vision. “A lot of people tend to say na baliw or crazy, you’re crazy or masyadong out of this world ‘yung naiisip mo kasi siguro ambitious ka kasi you came from nothing, pero I want to tell you that you are passionately crazy,” he said. For someone with big ambitions, being called crazy might just be part of the journey.
Pablo’s advice hit on a familiar struggle: waiting until everything is perfect before taking the first step. He admitted that his desire to have everything organized and perfected could sometimes slow down the process. “You can do things na takot ka, basta gawin mo lang kasi may patutunguhan ‘yan, and you can improve along the way,” he shared. His reminder? Start before you’re ready. There is room to learn and improve along the way, and sometimes, the best lessons only come from doing the thing you’re afraid of.
Justin offered a reassuring message about trusting the journey, even when the bigger picture isn’t clear yet. “Just keep doing what you’re doing. There’s a bigger purpose sa dream mo right now; you just don’t realize it yet, but soon, you’ll see,” he said.
Ken’s message was a heartfelt acknowledgment of the sacrifices that came with pursuing their dreams. “Good job. Ang hirap e. You sacrificed everything to have this life pero na-enjoy mo ‘yung buhay at nagagawa mo ‘yung mga bagay na gusto mong gawin and future star ka,” he shared.
Together, their answers paint a picture of the journey behind SB19’s success: one filled with uncertainty, unconventional dreams, and sacrifices, but also with the freedom to become the artists they once hoped to be.
While SB19 looked back on their beginnings, XONARA is already looking beyond Philippine shores. The four-month-old group is preparing for its first international performance in Singapore, a major milestone that comes early in its career. Metro.Style asked how they hope to represent Filipino artists on the global stage through their music, Yuri expressed gratitude for the opportunity and for the people who believe in them.
She said, “Pribilehiyo makapag-perform internationally for a four-month-old group. Parang ang aga pero sobrang thankful po namin sa mga naniniwala po sa amin na kaya namin, kaya nagtitiwala rin po kami sa sarili po namin.” For XONARA, the performance is not just about introducing themselves to a new audience. It’s also an opportunity to stand alongside fellow Filipino artists and show the world what local talent can do.
The group is also looking forward to bringing home the lessons from the experience, especially as they prepare for One Zone Fest. “Kung ano po ang learnings na natutunan namin doon, babaunin namin pauwi at i-a-apply po namin sa OZF kasi grabe po talaga ‘yung preparation namin for One Zone Fest kasi sobrang special po talaga nito, so sana po abangan niyo,” Yuri added.
With an international debut ahead and One Zone Fest on the horizon, XONARA is embracing the opportunity to grow, represent, and prove that even a young group can dream big.
Growth in the entertainment industry isn’t always about perfecting a performance or creating the next hit. For J2X, it also means having the right people around him, especially those who can offer guidance beyond his work as an artist.
Asked whose opinions matter most as he builds his name in the industry, J2X spoke about a mentor who may not write songs or choreograph dances but plays an important role in his personal development. “May mentor ako na hindi siya nagsusulat ng kanta o gumagawa ng sayaw,” he shared.
J2X explained that there are times when his personal decisions can affect his ability to function as an artist. During those moments, his mentor encourages him and tells him the things he needs to hear, even when they may not be easy to accept. That guidance helps him show up more authentically when it’s time to perform and connect with an audience. “Para ‘pag humarap ako as an artist, mararamdaman nila sino talaga ako,” he said.
It’s a reminder that behind every artist audiences get to know and love, there are often people helping them navigate the challenges that come with growing into their own.
From SB19’s hard-earned lessons to XONARA’s international aspirations and J2X’s commitment to becoming a more grounded artist, the stories shared at the One Zone Fest press conference reveal different stages of the same journey: learning, taking risks, and finding the confidence to move forward. And that’s what makes the upcoming festival especially meaningful. It brings together artists with distinct experiences and ambitions, united by their place in 1Z Entertainment and their shared opportunity to showcase their talent.
The first day will put the spotlight on SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin, alongside XONARA and J2X. Beyond seeing the artists perform, fans can look forward to five special collaboration units, opening up the possibility of unexpected pairings and fresh onstage dynamics among the performers.
The celebration continues on the second day with SB19’s 8th Anniversary Fanmeet, giving A’TIN a dedicated moment to celebrate the group’s journey with the five members.
With two days bringing different performances and experiences, One Zone Fest highlights both the individual identities of 1Z Entertainment’s artists and what they can create together. Whether it’s discovering XONARA and J2X, catching the SB19 members in new collaborations, or celebrating another milestone with A’TIN, the festival offers fans plenty of reasons to make the weekend their own.