SB19's Justin Wears the Ifugao Lingling-o for Their Historic Lollapalooza 2026 Performance

SB19 made history over the past weekend when they debuted on the Lollapalooza stage. The first homegrown Filipino act to participate in the music festival, the boy band brought the house down with one explosive production number after the other. On the other side of the stage, Philippine flags were waved as fans felt an overwhelming surge of Pinoy pride.

At a more intimate level, the P-pop stars represented their heritage through their on-stage looks. Styled by Roy Back, each member wore an outfit inspired by Filipino fabrications and techniques. Justin De Dios, the group's maknae or bunso, rocked a jacket that featured ornaments akin to the Ifugao tribe of the Cordillera region.

For their hour-long set, Justin wore a black leather jacket and pink flared trousers adorned with gold amulets called the lingling-o. Placed in front of his jacket and on the sides of his pants, the ornaments imparted a regal touch to his look.

The lingling-o is a pre-colonial double-headed ornament that represents the combined forces of feminine and masculine energies. The outer shape is meant to resemble the uterus, while the space within symbolizes the phallus. Among the Ifugao, it is believed that the amulet possesses "immense spiritual power" as it represents the capabilities of both men and women. Babaylan or high priestesses would utilize the lingling-o to bless people trying to bear children, farmers, and fisherfolk. Ultimately, it stands as a symbol of interconnectedness, protection, balance, and abundance.

The presence of the lingling-o proved to amplify the sheer magnitude of SB19's historic Lollapalooza moment. As the group continues to represent the country on global stages, they hope to continue uplifting all facets of Filipino talent. "[This] was proof that dreams grow bigger when you believe in yourself and the people who believe in you. This win isn’t just for us. It’s for everyone who believed in us," they expressed on Instagram.

Following this historic feat, Senator Bam Aquino passed a resolution to commend the quintet and their teams. "SB19’s performance at Lollapalooza marked a significant milestone for Filipino artists, demonstrating the growing international recognition of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and expanding the presence of Philippine music on one of the world’s foremost festival stages,” he said in a statement.

Right before they left for Chicago, the band was officially bestowed as the newest tourism ambassadors by the Department of Tourism. With their Lollapalooza debut effectively expanding OPM's scope, SB19 proves to be worthy representatives of Filipino artistry.

In passing his resolution, Senator Bam added: "Through their artistry, professionalism, and unwavering pride in their Filipino identity, SB19 has become an inspiring example of how Filipino artists can serve as cultural ambassadors, promoting Philippine culture and fostering greater appreciation for the Philippines among audiences around the world."

Thanks for waving our flag, SB19! Congrats!