The Personal Stories & Powerful Metaphors of SB19's New Single, GENTO

Five days since the release, and we’re still unraveling the metaphorical threads that make up SB19’s comeback song. If there’s one thing you can say about SB19, it’s that absolutely nothing in their music is 100% straightforward. Filled with Pinoy references, callouts to their beloved fandom, and metaphors about their journey, ‘GENTO’ is the comeback we were waiting for.

Gritty and disruptive, this comeback single is unabashedly unlike their previous release, WYAT (Where You At). At first glance, it was easy for us to get lost in both the visuals of the music video and the five performers, but a deeper meaning might just lie in their story as artists - at least, that’s our theory.

Art Mimics Life

The members of SB19 have never been shy about sharing their personal stories in interviews and vlogs, and the more you know about those stories, the more the pieces fall in place for ‘GENTO’.

Justin, the Bunso of SB19, was a student when he debuted with SB19. In GENTO’s music video, he is searching for knowledge. He walks into danger, knowing that the path he’s chosen is treacherous and might not work out. It’s not unlike the young student who took a chance on joining a Filipino boy band while trying to finish his studies.

At first glance, it was easy for us to get lost in both the visuals of the music video and the five performers, but a deeper meaning might just lie in their story as artists

Meanwhile, Stell - having admitted to being the victim of bullying in his early years, is stepping up in ‘GENTO’ - unabashedly showing that he’s not that boy who was bullied anymore. He’s “starting to feel the power”, and certainly isn’t hiding from anyone anymore. On the contrary, he’s in the shower, washing off the hate that’s been thrown on him over the years.

‘GENTO’ is riddled with references for Ken, but most noticeable are the references to the choreography of his sophomore single, ‘Bulan’. The message is clear - Ken has found himself through his solo music and grown stronger despite the hate thrown at him throughout the years. Not to mention the black mamba and the lyrics “24 mentality like Kobe,” a reference to the Mamba Mentality of Kobe Bryant. It’s a mindset that defines how the basketball player accomplished so much, endured so much sacrifice, and remained focused on greatness. It’s definitely a concept familiar to both Ken and SB19.

Josh has the most veiled reference to his past in ‘GENTO’. He often struggles to be seen as himself, and his lines are reminiscent of that. Once viewed as a burden or someone who would never make it - his lines challenge the viewer to see him for who he is. It makes sense; Josh commonly casts off his idol image through vlogs, streaming, and interactions with his fans - choosing to be seen for the person he is and not placed on a pedestal.

Last but certainly not least, Pablo, the songwriter of nearly all SB19’s songs, has always been viewed as a creative center of the group. In ‘GENTO’, he’s in the kitchen - doing what he does best. After All, there’s a reason his groupmates have referred to his time composing as “Nagluluto pa si Pau (Pablo is still cooking).

Everyone seeks treasure, but almost no one sees the journey it takes to get it.

Altogether, the story of ‘GENTO’ creates a powerful message. Everyone seeks treasure, but almost no one sees the journey it takes to get it. The music video begins in an old Filipino home, and the thing is? They never leave it. Scene after scene, they are still there. They do the work of digging the gold ore because it’s a treasure that was always within them and with them. The world seeks riches, but few are willing to do the dirty work to pursue it properly, and even fewer are ready to face the refiner’s fire it takes to turn it into treasure. SB19 has done the work. They’ve faced the fires. They are ready.

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Need some more stills? We got you covered. And check out the MV below:

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