Apl De Ap says he wants to give more jobs to Pampanguenos

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Apl De Ap says he wants to give more jobs to Pampanguenos

Rhea Manila Santos

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020715-apl2_main.jpgApart from being part of the Grammy award-winning group Black Eyed Peas and being a judge of The Voice of the Philippines, Apl de Ap (real name Allan Pineda Lindo) can also add fast food business owner to his resume as well. The 40-year-old rap artist decided to open a franchise near his hometown in Pampanga. “Actually I was the one who approached Jollibee because it's been a dream of mine for years now. I got to meet the chairman and I jokingly asked him that growing up I couldn't afford to get Jollibee and it's a product that I grew up with and I truly cherish. I just asked simply and they kindly granted me with one so it's a dream come reality at this point. If hopefully this does well then we can have one there (in Sapang Palay where I was born) too. There's always a future for other places,” he shared during the Jollibee Dau McArthur store blessing held last February 5 in Mabalacat, Pampanga.


Apl said this is his second biggest investment and even plans to open a branch in the US after learning more about the fast food business. He said he also had personal reasons for choosing to do it in his hometown. “Actually it's just my idea. One day I just wanted to have a Jollibee store to create employment and I thought it would be the most stable thing that could help out others. It's also for my family and it also extends to other kabalens. So when I dreamed about this, the sole purpose is giving employment and also for my family and future charity work,” he admitted.


During the event, Apl shared a story from his childhood. “My favorite memory of Jollibee was me and mom would good to the foundation because I had a sponsor back in the day to help me out with my schooling and on my way back home since I was so young I'm always pointing at Jollibee and she would say, 'Anak we need this (money) for your siblings also so next time na lang.' And then finally one day she finally took me into Jollibee and I think I lost my mind (laughs). I thought, 'Oh my God, did this happen?'” he recalled.

After being adopted at age 14 and leaving for the States, Apl said he never expected he would be able to pay it forward in this way. “I knew that I was going to come back but when I was sponsored to go to the US, I never even expected to be Black Eyed Peas either. In school I wanted to be an architect but I have a vision problem so I couldn't possibly make a floor plans and stuff. Then I stumbled into breakdance and music. It gave me the vision I needed that I didn't need my eyes, I just needed my mind, my heart and my soul. And then when I became Black Eyed Peas I was just following the footsteps of people that helped me out, the foundation, my adopted father and here I am,” he shared.


020715-apl2_main.jpgApl said he will continue to try and help his fellow kababayans through education and employment. “That's why it's so important for me to build classrooms and computer labs, because I want to open up that information to kids that they could be like me too, through education and hard work. I share the same equipment that I used trying to make it in the music business so they could use it, too, and then write songs and record their music and demonstrations,” he explained.
As the competition heats up in the second season of The Voice, Apl admitted he is modifying his approach to things in the hopes that his team can produce a grand winner this time. “For me in the first season I was so serious with my comments but this time I wanted to really reach out to the people that there's a funny and goofy side to Apl and I just want to have fun on the show and really connect with the people. The story is what really catches my thoughts and feelings because some of these contestants are really, really poor and they're really working hard in trying to win the show so I commend that and that's the strategy that I have,” he admitted.

The talented record producer said he is fully confident in Team Apl. “Yeah, definitely. I got a great big confidence in winning this year. I hope so and I got a great last four right now on the team. We're very strong so I'll just pray to God that the people will gravitate to their talent and stories,” he added.
After The Voice, Apl said that he plans to fly back to the States to record a new album with the Black Eyed Peas. He is also currently working on his own album. “I actually got a new single out right now called ‘Be’ and the message is be yourself, you don't have to conform to being someone else. You could be an architect, you could be a gamer and just be. So that's out right now and my album will be coming along with it soon,” he said.

Currently single, Apl shared his plans for Valentine's Day, “Actually we're doing the live show so my date is the whole Philippines during Valentines (laughs).”


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