102-Year-Old SB19 Fan Joins Thousands at Rizal Park for Historic Lollapalooza Watch Party

A 102-year-old fan was among the thousands of supporters who gathered at Rizal Park in Manila to watch Filipino pop group SB19’s groundbreaking performance at Lollapalooza 2026 through a live simulcast. The event, organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), drew a large crowd of A’TIN—the name for SB19’s fanbase—who came together to celebrate the group’s milestone as the first Filipino act to perform at the renowned international music festival.

Lola Julita Odron, the centenarian fan, traveled from Cavite to join the watch party, according to a report by Jhomer Apresto on the morning show “Unang Hirit.” Her daughter-in-law, Almira Sarez, shared that Lola Julita has been a devoted SB19 fan for three years and has attended three of their concerts. Almira noted that Lola Julita’s favorite member is Justin, whom she admires for his looks. She expressed gratitude to the DOT for organizing the event, which allowed fans like Lola Julita to experience the performance in a communal setting rather than watching alone at home.

The watch party attracted around 2,000 registered attendees, who were required to present QR codes for entry, as confirmed by the DOT. The event was part of a series of nationwide celebrations following SB19’s appointment as the country’s tourism ambassadors. Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay emphasized that the group’s role extends beyond music, highlighting their potential to promote Filipino culture and cuisine, including traditional dishes like sinigang and adobo, alongside the country’s tourist destinations.

Among the attendees was 46-year-old Alleine Nadal Khalifa, who flew in from Qatar specifically to witness the historic performance. She plans to continue supporting SB19 by attending their concert in Japan on August 15. Khalifa described the experience of watching the live simulcast with fellow fans as making them feel part of the moment.

The event also featured younger fans such as 23-year-old aspiring P-pop artist Shang, who arrived as early as 5 p.m. the day before. Shang not only watched the performance but also had the opportunity to showcase their own talent by performing for the crowd gathered at Rizal Park.

SB19’s appearance at Lollapalooza marks a significant achievement for the group and Filipino pop music on the global stage. Following the festival, the group is scheduled to hold thanksgiving fan meets in the United States before heading to Japan in August for the Summer Sonic festival. They will return to the U.S. in October to perform at the KPOPWORLD Festival in Texas.

The Rizal Park watch party exemplified the strong community spirit among A’TIN and the growing international recognition of Filipino artists. The DOT’s involvement underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging cultural events to boost tourism and showcase the Philippines’ rich heritage to the world.