Senator Bam Aquino has filed Senate Resolution No. 545 recognizing P-pop group SB19 for their historic performance at the Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago, Illinois, describing the milestone as a major achievement for Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and the country's creative industry.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Aquino said SB19's performance at the internationally renowned music festival on July 30, 2026, marked a historic first for a Filipino group, proving that Filipino music and talent can compete on the global stage.
“Isang makasaysayang tagumpay para sa OPM at sa ating creative industry ang pagtatanghal ng SB19 sa Lollapalooza Music Festival... Bilang kauna-unahang grupong Pilipino na umakyat sa entablado ng isa sa pinakamalaki at pinakaprestihiyosong music festivals sa buong mundo, muli nilang pinatunayan na kayang makipagsabayan ng talento at musikang Pilipino sa pandaigdigang entablado,” Aquino said.
The senator said he filed Senate Resolution No. 545 to formally commend SB19 for their significant contribution in promoting OPM and Filipino culture worldwide.
“Bilang pagkilala sa kanilang mahalagang ambag sa pagpapakilala ng OPM at kulturang Pilipino sa buong mundo, naghain tayo ng Senate Resolution No. 545 upang bigyang-pugay ang Kings of P-pop, SB19, sa kanilang makasaysayang pagtatanghal sa Lollapalooza Music Festival,” Aquino said.
Aquino added that the international success of SB19 and fellow P-pop group BINI underscores the need for stronger government support for the country's creative industries.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, Aquino said one of his five-point legislative priorities is to strengthen the country's creative economy by expanding opportunities for Filipino musicians, filmmakers, designers, game developers, writers, content creators, and other creative professionals to showcase their work internationally.
He also revealed plans to establish a government agency dedicated to supporting and promoting the Philippine creative sector, modeled after South Korea's Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).
“Kabilang sa ating mga plano ang pagtatatag ng isang ahensya ng pamahalaan na tututok sa pagsuporta at pagsusulong ng creative industries ng bansa, na kahalintulad ng Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) ng South Korea,” Aquino said.
Aquino emphasized that SB19's achievement represents not only a victory for OPM but also for every Filipino aspiring to showcase their talent on the world stage, calling for continued support for local artists and reforms that will further strengthen the country's creative economy.
