P-pop mega-group SB19 has claimed October as theirs ahead of their fifth anniversary, with multiple activities that will keep their fans, known as A'TIN, bristling with joy and excitement.

"Kalahating dekada na tayo A'TIN! Maraming salamat sa patuloy na pagsuporta at pagtangkilik sa aming musika at mga kwento (We're half a decade, A'TIN! Thank you for continuing to support our music and our journey.) And with that, we've prepared a month-long celebration para sa inyo. Mark your calendars for all these activities you won't want to miss!," said the group's announcement online.

For starters, SB19 revealed that they will be launching a podcast called Atin Atin lang on 9 October, with new episodes to be released every Monday.

Apart from the podcast, which promises "heart-to-heart and intimate talks" with the group's members Josh, Stell, Pablo, Justin and Ken, a new episode of their ardently followed web series Show Break 5 will drop 19 October.

Biggest milestone
But the biggest milestone the P-pop powerhouse unveiled was the launch of their own company, IZ Entertainment, which they presented to the public in a livestream on 1 October.

"Siguro five years ago when SB19 was just starting, together we had a dream: That dream was to have Filipino music, Filipino talent, the whole Filipino culture pinned on the world map," Pablo, the group's leader and now CEO of IZ Entertainment, said.

In June, SB19 transitioned to being a self-managed group.

"It all started as a crazy idea during trainee days. Nagbibiruan kami na 'Balang araw, gagawa tayo ng sarili nating company, our own management (We were just telling each other in jest that we would create our own company.) We'll [choose] the people na pagkakatiwalaan namin," Josh said.

And now look where they are — the group that started from nothing, busking on the side of malls to sparse crowds and slaving away at endless training days for four years, the owners of their own newly minted entertainment company and the undisputed P-pop Kings increasingly acknowledged and acclaimed around the world.

The group, in fact, is set to resume their world tour with new performances announced for Asia after successful, sold-out concerts in the Philippines, Canada and the United States.

The boy band will be performing at Singapore's Capitol Theatre on 15 November, Thailand's KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre on 19 November and Dubai's Sheikh Rashid Auditorium on 24 November, with more tour dates to be announced in the future.

Josh also announced that they will represent the country at the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival Round on 21 October in Indonesia, performing alongside popular K-pop idols and artists from ASEAN countries.

Fan meet
The month-long celebration will not be complete, of course, without a special gift for their hometown fans.

This time, the quintet said that instead of a concert for Filipino A'TIN, they will host an intimate fan meet, called Half a Decade Celebration, on 28 October at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

"Magkakaroon po kami ng fan meet na puno ng malulupit at masasaya na performances, fun games at interactions kasama kayong A'Tin," Ken said.

Fans joining them at the fan meet will go home with special-edition merchandise and cherished "experiences" with the group, added Justin, promising a more up-close and personal encounter than is usually experienced in their concerts.

With the global-level career milestones the group has achieved in five years, SB19's members have nothing but gratitude for everyone supporting them.

"Gusto ko magpasalamat sa A'TIN for supporting us ever since. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi mangyayari ang ginagawa natin ngayon (If not for all of you, we won't be able to do what we're doing now)," Justin said.

"We believe that we're just starting. This is just the starting line for all of us, so we're proud and I hope na proud rin kayo sa amin (We're proud [of what we've accomplished], and I hope you're also proud of us)," Ken added.

A'TIN can only nod and say: We are, Ken. We sure are.