A Cordillera symbol on the world stage: How SB19's Justin spotlighted the ancient Lingling-o

FEATURE

When the lights came on at Lollapalooza 2026 in Chicago, thousands of fans from around the world watched SB19 make history as the first all-Filipino act to perform at one of the world's biggest music festivals.

For many, it was a celebration of Filipino music finally taking its place on the global stage.

But for many people in the Cordillera, the historic performance carried another, quieter message.

Around the neck of Justin de Dios, one of SB19's youngest members, rested a symbol that has traveled through centuries of Indigenous history—the Igorot lingling-o. It was more than a fashion accessory. It was culture, identity, and heritage carried proudly before an international audience.

More than a stage outfit

Justin's military-inspired leather blazer immediately caught the attention of fans.

Yet what made the ensemble remarkable was the Ifugao lingling-o incorporated into the design.

The outfit, created by Filipino stylist and fashion creative Roy Back, blended contemporary fashion with Indigenous Filipino craftsmanship, transforming the performance attire into a tribute to the country's rich cultural heritage.

For Cordillerans, the lingling-o was instantly recognizable. For many international viewers, it became an introduction to one of the oldest surviving symbols of Indigenous Filipino identity.

A symbol older than history books

Long before modern fashion existed, the lingling-o already held deep meaning among the Indigenous peoples of the Cordillera, particularly the Ifugao, Kalinga, and Bontoc communities.

Archaeologists trace its origins to around 500 BC, making it one of the oldest known cultural symbols in the Philippines. Its distinctive C-shaped, or penannular, design has survived generations, passed down as both ornament and identity.

Traditionally carved from nephrite jade, the lingling-o formed part of the ancient Maritime Jade Road, one of the world's earliest international maritime trade networks linking the Philippines with Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

As centuries passed, artisans also crafted it from gold, silver, brass, copper, shell, wood, and stone, depending on available materials and the social standing of the wearer.

Yet regardless of the material, its meaning remained constant.

To the people of the Cordillera, the lingling-o symbolizes protection, fertility, prestige, ancestry, unity, and cultural identity. Today, it remains one of the region's most recognizable cultural treasures.

Carrying Cordillera culture to the world

Justin's decision to wear the lingling-o was not accidental. According to features released after the performance, stylist Roy Back drew inspiration from museum collections and Indigenous Filipino traditions to ensure that SB19's wardrobe reflected not only modern Filipino creativity but also the country's rich cultural roots.

It was a reminder that fashion can do more than entertain. It can educate. It can preserve history. And it can introduce cultures to audiences who may have never encountered them before.

As millions watched SB19 perform, many were unknowingly introduced to a symbol that has represented Cordillera identity for more than two thousand years.

A proud moment for the Cordillera

For many Cordillerans, seeing the lingling-o on one of the world's biggest music stages was deeply meaningful. It demonstrated that Indigenous heritage belongs not only inside museums, textbooks, or cultural festivals, but also on international platforms where Filipino talent is celebrated.

Every appearance of the lingling-o before a global audience becomes another opportunity for people to ask questions, discover its history, and appreciate the rich traditions of the Cordillera. It also serves as a reminder to younger generations that cultural symbols remain relevant—even in today's fast-changing world.

Filipino music, Indigenous identity

Since debuting in 2018, SB19—composed of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin—has consistently broken barriers for Filipino artists. The group became the first Southeast Asian act nominated for a Billboard Music Award, and now the first Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza, one of the world's premier music festivals held annually in Chicago's Grant Park.

Founded by musician Perry Farrell in 1991, Lollapalooza has hosted global superstars including Paul McCartney, Metallica, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd.

By stepping onto that same stage, SB19 not only elevated Philippine music but also created space for Filipino culture to be seen and appreciated by the world.

A heritage worn with pride

For generations, the lingling-o has represented the enduring spirit of the Cordillera. It has survived changing times, changing empires, and changing generations. 

Now, it has crossed another frontier. Through the music of SB19 and the deliberate choice to wear an Indigenous symbol with pride, the ancient lingling-o found a new audience far beyond the mountains where it first emerged. It was a powerful reminder that culture is not confined to the past. It lives in the choices people make today—in the stories they tell, the music they create, and even in the symbols they choose to wear.

And on one unforgettable night at Lollapalooza, a small piece of the Cordillera stood proudly before the world.