The original members of the Street Boys dance group are thrilled to be reuniting for the first time in 31 years. Some members who live abroad have returned to Manila to join the “SB ‘90s: The Street Boys Reunion Dance Concert” on November 8 at the New Frontier Theater.
Group members Joey Andres, Joseph de Leon, Nikko Manalo, Spencer Reyes, Meynard Marcellano, Jhong Hilario, and Vhong Navarro recently spoke to the media about the concert. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the group include Joseph from Dubai, Spencer from Scotland, Michael Sesmundo from the UK, and Sherwin Roux from Canada.
Their longtime manager, Director Chito Roño, who they affectionately call “Boss,” expressed disbelief at the upcoming reunion: “How many years has it been?” asked Roño. “I cannot believe that the boys are having their reunion.”
Jhong shared his excitement, saying, “Yung saya ko, sobra-sobra… For 31 years, it is only now (that) we thought to have a dance concert reunion… At least nagka-reunion kami at nagkasundo-sundo ang mga oras.” He added, “Our schedules all matched… Sabi namin ni Vhong, I think this is the time na tuluyin na natin. We are not getting young anymore. We want to thank all those who supported Street Boys from Day 1.”
For Vhong, the reunion is bittersweet. “Ang saya dahil after 31 years, mangyayari na nga… Lungkot dahil after 31 years, ngayon lang naisip gawin ang concert.” He humorously noted the physical toll, saying, “Nararamdaman na namin sa rehearsals ang sakit ng likod. Kulang na lang na may sponsors kami na Salonpas or ointment.”
On November 8, the concert will bring all eleven members back onstage for the first time since their early years. Vhong shared, “This is the first time that we will be complete again… Para ipakita na kaya pa rin namin.”
Meynard called the concert “a celebration of our group,” while Jhong expressed hopes of evoking ‘90s nostalgia, adding, “We want to bring back the ‘90s music na napaka-simple lang.”
Ogie Alcasid’s A-Team sponsored the event, and Vhong is grateful, saying, “Papatunayan namin na kaya pa rin namin… Ang ginagawa namin dito is to give love back.”
The concert, titled “SB ‘90,” was named by Nikko Manalo, with Vhong joking that popular groups like SB19, Sex Bomb, and South Border won’t be guesting.
Director Chito mentioned that rehearsals were challenging at first, “At the start of their rehearsals, nagre-reklamo na sila agad… But now, they are preparing for their concert.” Meynard added that, “Tumbling-wise, kaya pa rin,” but they’re skipping the more dangerous stunts.
The Street Boys’ journey spans over three decades, managed by Roño without a written contract. “Everything is verbal,” Vhong said. “Ang sarap sabihin that after 31 years, we are still together.”
Roño has acted as a mentor to the group, becoming a grandfather figure to their children. “’Yung mga anak amin, parang mga apo na rin ni direk Chito,” said Vhong, adding that Roño supports them year-round for holidays and birthdays.
The group remains close and has avoided serious disputes over the years. “May tampuhan man sa grupo, siguro asaran lang tapos nagka-pikunan… Solid kami talaga,” Vhong remarked.
Jhong reminisced about their early days when rehearsals would last up to 12 hours under Roño’s strict guidance, even during power outages. “Kahit brown out, tuloy pa rin kami noon… Later na namin na-realize that discipline is very important,” he said, emphasizing that dedication has kept them active and fit after all these years.
