The DOT announced its partnership with SB19, the five-member Filipino boy group that has gained global chart success and built a dedicated international fanbase known as A'TIN (pronounced "eighteen"), in a statement.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said in the statement SB19's music and global influence could inspire fans across the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, and beyond to visit the Philippines.
"In the US, we're seeing that influence become something real: Filipino-Americans who grew up watching SB19 online are now booking flights home, some for the first time in years, just to see them perform on their home turf," she said.
Global reach
Mathay said the same trend is emerging across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where SB19 enjoys a strong following.
"We're seeing the same across ASEAN, where SB19's fandom is just as strong and where a short flight makes that pull even easier to act on. Whether it's a Filipino-American flying halfway across the world or a fan in Taiwan or Bangkok just a few hours away, SB19 is giving people real reasons to visit the Philippines. That's the kind of reach we want to build on," she added.
SB19 member Josh Cullen welcomed the appointment, saying the group has long looked forward to collaborating with the tourism agency.
"We want to make a genuine difference, so we're teaming up with partners who understand our vision. By taking our music to international markets, we can connect with the global Filipino diaspora, share our culture, and give them a feeling of home."
Tourism push
As tourism ambassador, SB19 will work with the DOT to encourage A'TIN members around the world to visit the Philippines and experience the country's culture and destinations firsthand.
The DOT said it is finalizing a series of promotional activities with the group that will showcase Philippine tourism in the coming months.
A'TIN, officially launched in 2020, is regarded as one of the country's largest and most organized fan communities. Its members have played a key role in SB19's rise to international prominence through streaming campaigns, online voting, concert support, charitable initiatives, and social media engagement.
With members across the Philippines and overseas Filipino communities, A'TIN has helped propel SB19 onto international music charts while fostering a strong sense of community and national pride.
Milestones
The partnership comes as SB19 prepares for several historic international appearances.
On July 29, the group will become the first Filipino act to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game ahead of the Chicago White Sox-New York Yankees matchup.
The following day, SB19 will make history again as the first Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza, one of the world's largest music festivals, in Chicago's Grant Park.
The group is also scheduled to perform at Summer Sonic 2026 in Osaka and Tokyo alongside fellow Filipino acts ena mori and BINI, which was also named a DOT tourism ambassador earlier this month.
Ahead of SB19's U.S. and Japan tour, the DOT sent the quintet a "Galingbayan" box as a send-off package, which the group acknowledged on its social media accounts on July 26. —Connie Fernandez- Brojan| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
