British boyband A1 members Ben Adams and Mark Read surprised internationally acclaimed filmmaker Emille Joson with a heartfelt video message during a special charity event organized by the Alaga Producers Cooperative in collaboration with international partners.
The event also featured video messages from several Filipino celebrity friends of Joson, as well as former college classmates and relatives now based abroad, many of whom highlighted her kindness, simplicity, and generosity during their younger years.
However, it was the appearance of A1 that drew the loudest reaction from the crowd, with cheers and applause filling the venue – particularly from millennial and Gen X fans who grew up with the group’s early-2000s rise to fame in the Philippines and across Asia.
The British boyband became widely popular in the country with hit songs such as “Take On Me,” “Like a Rose,” “Caught in the Middle,” “Ready or Not,” “Everytime,” and “Same Old Brand New You,” cementing a devoted fanbase during their peak years. They also won the BRIT Award for British Breakthrough Act in 2001.
The video of their surprise for Joson is now available on the Alaga Producers Cooperative’s official YouTube channel.
In the video, Ben Adams fondly recalled Joson’s favorite treats, saying, “I know quite a lot about you,” including her love for gummy bears, while sharing lighthearted memories – particularly a selfie with her that he described as his all-time favorite. He also expressed pride in Joson’s humanitarian work and her successful career in recent years.
Meanwhile, Mark Read described Joson as a bright individual, lovely to talk to, and a beautiful woman. Referring to himself as a “protective big brother,” he playfully cautioned Joson’s suitors and admirers, noting that he remains firmly in her corner and that they should tread carefully. He further expressed heartfelt appreciation for Filipino fans, describing the Philippines as a consistently positive experience for the group since their very first visit. He also expressed pride in Joson’s charity work and her rising career.
It was reported that Joson’s connection with Read came first, well before his fellow boyband members. The two had already followed each other on social media long before her rise to prominence as a feminist, A-list filmmaker and public figure.
Joson, who has been an A1 fan since the age of 10, reportedly attended the band’s concerts with her aunt, and sometimes her father, in the early 2000s. She later had the opportunity to meet the group personally in Manila after entering film school and earning numerous nomination in the 2010s, marking her formal entry into the entertainment industry and allowing her to meet personalities she had previously only seen on television.
However, due to her busy schedule amid A1’s continued visits to the Philippines for reunion shows, she has not yet been able to fully relive her “fangirl” era. The group remains hopeful that she will get the chance to watch them again. Joson last attended an A1 concert in 2012 and 2016.
Despite her busy schedule as a filmmaker and humanitarian, Joson remains a devoted supporter of A1 online, continuing to celebrate their music.
While some fans noted the absence of the other two members, Christian Ingebrigtsen and Paul Marazzi, in the surprise video, others remain hopeful for a future reunion, with some wishing she would attend the 2026 concert.
A1 is set to hold a concert in the Philippines this October, coinciding with Emille Joson’s birth month, as part of their “Love in the Philippines Tour 2026.” The British boyband will return to the country for shows in Cebu on October 16 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino and in Manila on October 17 at the New Frontier Theater. Tickets for both shows went on sale on March 13, 2026, via SM Tickets and TicketNet.
