You know that a boy band has reached global status when they are interviewed by foreigners that adore their music and personalities. That recently took place when SB19 sat down with Boy William for his “Drinks with Boy” series on YouTube as they were also joined by Aruma who collaborated with the boys for a Bahasa version of their emotionally-charged song, “Mapa.” The formal interview, originally felt more like a fun hangout with friends as Boy William showcased his amusing interviewing skills and made everyone feel right at home.
Known for his relaxed and humorous approach, Boy gets SB19 and Aruma to open up as he invites open, casual conversations over a few drinks. It was an exciting and fun conversation between the group, sharing banter, laughs, and camaraderie. Together, they opened up about culture, family, food, and the realities of fame, making the conversation feel both lighthearted and deeply meaningful.
The interview begins with Boy William asking about one of their most popular songs, “MAPA” as he explains that the song may already be considered old in the Philippines, but in Indonesia, it is still gaining popularity for them. Pablo shares how it originated during the pandemic era while SB19 was in the middle of the tour away from their families. He mentioned, “We thought, why don’t we create something about giving back to our parents? We’re doing this not just for us but because of them,” he said.
One thing that Boy William pointed out was how the message of the song resonated across cultures, especially between the Philippines and Indonesia. Traditionally, children would take care of their parents as they grow old instead of sending them to a retirement home like what most western cultures do. Aruma also described her experience in rewriting the lyrics in Bahasa. She reflected on Indonesian values while she kept the original heartfelt message of the song intact. Together, they would work together and collab on a beautiful Bahasa rendition of “MAPA.”
After awhile, the conversation shifted to a topic that every Filipino and Indonesian can relate to: food. They discuss how Boy adores traditional food like sinigang to adobo. They even talk about the infamous balut which SB19 are fans of. When asked if they even eat the white part of the balut, Josh jokes “Especially when there’s no money.” Of course, that statement would indeed be true when times are tough in the Philippines and you need to eat.
Boy William offered his own opinion, teasing that, to him, adobo might be a little overrated. SB19 respects the opinion as they defended their local flavor as they admitted they still enjoy eating at small karinderias whenever they get the chance. The discussion shows how grounded SB19 remains and how humble they still are despite gaining international fame and recognition. It also proves how food will always connect people across different cultures as they highlight the idea and how their meals remind them of home.
Boy would then ask the members of SB19 and Aruma one by one what they missed most about their lives before the fame. After a while, the group had their own answers; some would even be similar to the other. For Josh, he recalled riding jeepneys and even hanging off the side when they were full. It was also discussed how some members thought it was ridiculous at times to pay full price despite being unable to sit fully in seats, and in Josh’s case, hanging to the jeepney from the outside.
Ken mentioned how he would miss being able to walk to the mall and just hang out without being recognized. It is something most celebrities often miss after they become famous public figures. It is a sentiment that would be echoed by Justin later on.
Pablo would have a slightly different answer in relation to food. He says he misses eating at local “”karinderias.” He did mention that he had a chance to eat with some of SB19’s talented dance team at one as the people that recognized them were courteous enough to let them eat in peace.
For Aruma, she mentions how she is still able to enjoy living her life normally, saying she is not as famous as SB19. Of course, the boys mention how she is rising as they continue to encourage the young star. Boy tells her to enjoy it while she still has the opportunity to do so as eventually she will become very famous one day. Aruma mentions having three on-going collaborations as the boys cheer for her.
Justin mentioned how he was similar to Ken where he longed for the simple weekends spent with family without being recognized everywhere they went. He often worries if he goes to the mall, it may cause chaos.
Stell, on the other hand, joked about missing his wild nights at the club. He often missed being able to just hang out with friends and have drinks at the clubs. These reflections gave a glimpse into how fame has changed their routines while also reminding fans that they are just ordinary people with extraordinary talents.
Before the interview wrapped up, SB19 and Aruma were asked about what lies ahead for the group. It didn’t take long before the boys made their ambitious goals heard. “We’re going to perform at Coachella and the Grammys. That’s our goal,” they say as the group believes in speaking dreams into reality.
Speaking of manifesting, Justin humorously declares that the house will become his, much to Boy’s hilarious reaction. Everyone just laughs and has a wonderful time. Aruma echoes the same determination towards her own career as she desires to continue working with artists across Asia.
Closing thoughts
The entire time that SB19 and Aruma was being interviewed, the vibe and energy was always so casual, chill, and down-to-earth. The vibe of the entire conversation was fresh and came off genuine and relatable as it felt that they were just there to have a relaxing chat with an old friend. It can be said how great Boy William is in his role as an interviewer, making sure that the group was always able to speak their mind and ultimately have fun.
Whether it was talking about family, food, shared culture, and future dreams, it was clear that the bond between artist and fan grows even stronger when stories like these are shared. This interview can become an eye-opener for newer A’TIN as it shows how much heart SB19 puts into all their efforts towards their music, how they reach out to their fans, and their journey as a whole.
Let’s gather around and listen to both SB19 and Aruma’s versions of “MAPA” and support both talents:
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