SB19 being considered for China, says Justin’s uncle Alfonso De Dios

When asked about the possibility of bringing SB19 into the Chinese market as endorsers, veteran media and advertising executive Alfonso “Pons” de Dios shared that the idea has already been explored.

“We actually thought of that. In fact, I made a follow-through on that,” De Dios said during the Pandesal Forum on March 21, held at the 86-year-old Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City, 

De Dios, who is the uncle of SB19 member Justin De Dios, mentioned the group in the context of expanding Filipino talent visibility in China. “Aside from him, I’m also trying to bring in a Chinese-American talent for Southeast Asia like Timothee Chalamet. Tyler ang first name niya,” he added.

He emphasized that these efforts represent untapped business potential. “Again, I would say, opportunity yan for Chinese businesses in here. Kasi they don’t realize, kasi they don’t look na masyado long-term. In fact there is an opportunity to build and to develop a brand long-term.”

At the Pandesal Forum, where he spoke about these opportunities, De Dios brought with him over two decades of insight from working in China. He spent eight years in Guangzhou as Procter & Gamble Greater China’s Media Director, and later founded Telos Media Works in Beijing and TVCXpress Manila Inc., bridging business strategies between the Philippines and China.

His comments shed light on the growing potential for Filipino talent—like SB19—to resonate with audiences beyond Southeast Asia, and his own efforts to make that a reality.