SB19 member Justin De Dios recalled an uncomfortable encounter with a Filipino airport employee in Los Angeles while the group was on its way to the US for their historic Lollapalooza performance.
Justin recounted the experience in SB19’s latest YouTube vlog, sharing how the incident unfolded while the members were waiting for their luggage after arriving in Los Angeles.
According to Justin, a Filipino elderly woman approached the members while they were waiting for their luggage and asked to take photos with them.
READ: SB19 on historic Lollapalooza debut: ‘This win isn’t just for us’
Their manager, Leah Gonzales, then stepped in and politely asked the woman if she could wait until the members had finished retrieving their bags.
“Siyempre, as manager, lumapit siya. Parang sabi ni Ate Leah, ‘Ay, okay lang po ba mamaya na lang po pagka-settle?’ So, meaning pag pagka-settle, pag nakuha na lahat ng luggage before we go, pa-picture kami with Nanay,” Justin recalled.
Justin said the elderly woman understood Leah’s request and later proceeded to take photos with the other members, including him, when they were already available.
However, according to Justin, a Filipino airport employee overheard Leah’s request and confronted her.
“Tapos nung umalis na si Nanay, may lumapit na nagta-trabaho sa airport. Parang narinig niya ata na sabi ni Ate Leah na mamaya na, later na lang po magpa-picture. Kasi nakapagpa-picture naman na si Nanay.”
The employee asked Leah for her name before telling her, “Suplada ka, ah.”
The remark offended Justin, especially since Leah had spoken politely to the elderly fan and was not even directly talking to the Filipino employee.
“Maayos naman 'yung pagkakasabi nung manager namin, tapos hindi naman siya 'yung kausap. Na-overheard lang... hindi naman technically pinipigilan, nakapagpa-picture na nga eh,” he said.
According to Justin, the employee continued making negative comments and criticized Leah in front of the people in the area.
The singer also said the employee brought up his experiences with celebrities, showing photos of himself with celebrities to emphasize that he was familiar with famous people.
READ: SB19 brings fun with Benny the Bull at Lollapalooza: ‘The newest member of SB19’
Justin said the employee also criticized SB19’s behavior and questioned why they would not immediately accommodate fans asking for photos.
“Ang dami niya nang sinabi bigla. Like sabi niya, ‘Di pa nga sikat, 'di na nagpapa-picture. ‘Pag nasa harap na ng camera, doon kakaway-kaway. Pero mga suplado naman,’” Justin recalled the man saying.
“Tapos parang sinabi niya pa na Filipino mentality daw. Basta ang dami niyang sinabing mga offensive... disrespectful na bagay, [kahit na] nagta-trabaho ka doon. And wala namang ginawang mali or masama 'yung tao,” he maintained.
Despite hearing the comments, Justin said he chose to first listen carefully instead of immediately confronting the employee.
“Si kuya na nagwo-work doon sa airport, bakit siya nagre-react ng ganon? Ako ang ginagawa ko nung time na 'yun, pinapakinggan ko siya maigi kung ano 'yung point niya. Tapos binubuo ko na sana 'yung mga sasabihin ko kung kakausapin ko siya.”
“But the thing is... parang ang hirap lang gumalaw kasi parang siyempre delikado and all, pero talagang as in super disrespectful,” he said.
The Filipino employee later approached Justin directly and asked if he was part of SB19, then mentioned fans, whom he referred to as “Chicks,” who were waiting outside.
Justin said the employee called the fans through a video call and held his phone up toward their faces, showing them on camera without their permission.
Despite the encounter, Justin said he, the other SB19 members, and Leah chose not to engage further with the employee.
For Justin, the experience was particularly disappointing because it came from a fellow Filipino shortly after they arrived in Los Angeles.
“Well, sa mga past tours naman namin, hindi naman ganon ‘yung na-experience namin. Pero like sa Filipino pa namin mae-experience 'yung ganon. Tapos parang, it's very normal sa kanila. Tapos parang kami pa 'yung mali,” he said.
“Grabe, wow, the welcome committee sa pag-land ng LA... Shoutout to you, kuya!” he added.
Following Justin’s story, several A’TINs expressed their disappointment while also emphasizing the importance of respecting artists’ boundaries, especially in public spaces such as airports.
“Gets the fan’s excitement, but I also understand why the manager had to step in. Airports are public spaces, but artists deserve privacy and safety too. Respecting boundaries is one of the best ways we can show our love for SB19,” one fan wrote.
“Takeaway sa vlog: di madamot ang SB19. Hanggat kaya pagbigyan papayag sila pero know your boundaries at wag abusado... Mad respect to the boys and the whole team 🫶,” another added.
Despite the unpleasant experience upon arriving in Los Angeles, SB19 went on to make history at Lollapalooza, held at the Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois.
The P-pop group performed on the Allianz stage on July 31 (PHT), becoming the first Filipino act to perform at the renowned music festival.