After Lollapalooza, SB19 Is Helping to Open Doors for Filipino Creatives
- September 29, 2026
As they receive recognition for historic Lollapalooza stint, SB19 is helping push for a government agency that could support Filipino artists taking their work abroad.
After becoming the first Filipino act to perform at the Lollapalooza in Chicago in July, SB19 was recognized at the Senate on Monday. But amidst the celebration came a conversation: what support do Filipino artists actually have when they take their work to the world?
Senator Bam Aquino, who sponsored the Senate resolution recognizing SB19’s historic performance, revealed that the group has also been helping develop a proposed bill for the creative industry.
The conversation came from the members’ own experiences abroad. During meetings with Aquino, Pablo and Josh raised challenges Filipino artists encounter when bringing their work overseas, including visa concerns and the lack of a dedicated government institution for the creative sector.
For Josh, the need is especially clear when you consider how much Filipino creatives already do to bring the country’s culture beyond its borders. “If you’re working for a creative industry, it’s hard to look for a sector dedicated for it,” he said during a livestream following the Senate recognition,” he said in a livestream following the event.
He also compared creatives to athletes, pointing out that artists spend long stretches traveling and working abroad while representing Filipino talent and culture.
The proposed legislation would establish a Philippine agency focused on the creative economy, with Aquino citing South Korea’s Korea Creative Content Agency, or KOCCA, as a model. The agency would support Filipino artists going abroad and help promote Philippine culture internationally.
Aquino said the proposed bill is expected to be filed soon, with support from the Department of Trade and Industry. He hopes the agency could be operational within a year.
SB19’s Lollapalooza appearance gave the Philippines another major global stage to celebrate. Senate recognition further highlights this milestone, involving SB19 in discussions to make global opportunities more sustainable for future creatives. The bigger question is no longer just how far Filipino talent can go but what we can build so they don’t have to go there alone.
