Apl.De.Ap, nilahad ang

Pinagmulang kahirapan!

Masayang inalala ni Apl.De.Ap ang kanyang simpleng pamumuhay sa Angeles, Pampanga noong kanyang kabataan.

Hindi naging madali para maging miyembro ng Black Eyed Peas ang kanyang mga naranasan noon. “Growing up from humble beginnings, I remember, we were on a housing project called Bliss in Sapang Bato. Electricity grid wasn’t even there yet. We had to use kerosene at night. Sometimes you have to sleep early at night ‘coz wala nang ilaw.

“So, you just have to go to sleep early. We were poor but very joyful. My mom was super strong, resourceful. I come from a small farming family. To make an extra buck, I would deliver water from the pump to houses. So, I have extra allowance for pamasahe, for schooling,” nakangiting kwento sa amin ni Apl.

Allan Pineda Lindo ang tunay na pangalan ng nakilalang Filipino American artist. Sariwa pa sa alaala ni Apl kung paano siya nakapunta ng Amerika sa murang edad. “My mom, she left, she became an OFW. Just like many Filipino families had to sacrifice to support their family. My mom left for Hong Kong and worked for another family. When she was away, I would help my grandfather in the fields, farming. I was designated the Kalabaw driver. We grew sweet potatoes, to corn, to rice, to pechay. That’s where I learned the value of soil, food, and hard work with my grandfather.

“Then my mom discovered a foundation called Pearl S. Buck Foundation where they support Amerasian kids. My dad left before I wasn’t even born. My mom signed me up and what they do, I’m a dollar a day kid. I’m one of those programs. In return you got to write a thank you letter to your sponsors from the U.S. You take photos of all the products and receipts.

“You have to give receipts or proof and stuff. And I would apologize to my dad with my letter. ‘I’m sorry, I’m having a hard time in school. I’m legally blind...’ That’s at 11, brought me to the U.S. and have my eyes, vision checked by American ophthalmologist. And found out I needed to be under seven years old to operate on my condition.

“It was too late. In between doctor visits, he would take me to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and as a kid I was like, ‘Can I stay a little longer for another two weeks so we could go to Disneyland everyday? Would you adopt me?’ ‘Well, son, I need to talk to your mom and Philippine government. Let’s see what we can do.’ Then sent me back home, back to Philippines. Two months later he processed the adoption papers. It took them three years to be approved. And at 14 that’s when I moved to the U.S.” pagdedetalye ng international singer-rapper.

Ngayon ay nagbalik si Apl.de.ap sa Pilipinas para sa isang espesyal na proyekto. Nakatrabaho ng Fil-Am artist sina Bamboo, J-Rey Soul at Datu Khomeni sa bagong proyekto sa ilalim ng GMA Music. “PPP stands for Power of Pilipino People. It’s my love letter to the Philippines. It’s about hope, love and peace which is the core value of Filipinos. I wanted to inspire through music, to empower.

“Right now, Philippines is going through a lot of challenges, flooding issues, calamities and our economy. I just want to remind Filipinos on our individual power and as a nation come in together. We could really make a positive long-lasting changes in our lives and all the people’s lives,” makahulugang pahayag ng miyembro ng Black Eyed Peas. (Reports from JCC)