Dannyka Manangan

ON THIS DAY: Apl.De.Ap continues to make Pinoys proud with his music and advocacies

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>On this day, Filipino-American artist Apl.de.Ap, one of the brightest sources of Filipino pride in the global music scene, marks his 50th birthday. From his humble beginnings in Pampanga to performing on the world’s biggest stages, Apl’s journey is a powerful story of resilience, reinvention, and unwavering love for his heritage.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764307793412OTD-Nov_28-AplDeAp.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><div><strong>His beginnings</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Born Allan Pineda Lindo on November 28, 1974, Apl grew up in a large family raised by his Filipina mother, Cristina. As one of seven siblings, life was far from easy, marked by limited resources, struggles with congenital nystagmus that impaired his vision, and the everyday realities of his earlier life.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764308081074apl de ap.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><p>A major turning point came when he got an opportunity that allowed him to migrate to the United States as a teenager. There, his passion for hip-hop deepened and a life-changing friendship with will.i.am was formed in high school. Together, they planted the early seeds of what would eventually become one of the world’s most influential musical groups.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><iframe width="681" height="383" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TB4MuW96ctQ" title="Salamat Dok: The story of Apl.de.ap, and his nystagmus" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>A Global Stage and a Filipino Heart</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>As a founding member of the Black Eyed Peas, Apl helped shape a sound that crossed genres and cultures. With hits such as “Where Is the Love?”, “Let’s Get It Started,” and “I Gotta Feeling,” the group soared to international superstardom.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOYSyqiD1MC/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A6635993.2%2C%22ls%22%3A404946.19999999995%2C%22le%22%3A404952.30000000005%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Amid the fame, Apl never forgot where he came from. His breakout solo track “Bebot” became more than just a song but also a cultural declaration. Sung in Filipino and filled with references to home, the track proudly celebrated his identity and quickly became an anthem of representation for Filipinos around the world.</p><p>Just this year, he returned to Manila to perform in front of his kababayans (fellow Filipinos) together with will.i.am, Taboo Nawasha, and Filipina artist J.Rey Soul: “I&#x27;m so excited right now, I&#x27;m lost for words. But I&#x27;m so proud to be back home, to the country I love. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DObYi9igR8Q/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A6636041.6%2C%22ls%22%3A404946.19999999995%2C%22le%22%3A404952.30000000005%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Beyond Music: A Lifelong Advocacy</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Apl’s journey extends far beyond the stage. He founded the Apl.de.Ap Foundation International (Aplfi) to support communities and children in the Philippines and across Asia.</p><p>In 2011, after expressing his desire to help strengthen Philippine education, Aplfi partnered with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) to launch the “We Can Be Anything” campaign, an initiative aimed at addressing classroom shortages and supporting Filipino students nationwide.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DP8VKJokTHf/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A6636059.7%2C%22ls%22%3A404946.19999999995%2C%22le%22%3A404952.30000000005%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>In 2025, Apl.de.Ap expanded his work by partnering with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to create income opportunities for coconut farmers. He also planned to plant 380M intercropped trees to create food forests, expanding from his initial plan to plant 100 million trees.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRYLJ57Ez3W/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A6637992.4%2C%22ls%22%3A404946.19999999995%2C%22le%22%3A404952.30000000005%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="522" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/10/17/apl-de-ap-begins-project-of-planting-100-million-coconut-trees-in-laguna-1503"><strong>READ:  Apl.de.Ap begins project of planting 100 million coconut trees in Laguna</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>A Legacy Rooted in Home</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Now at 50, Apl.de.Ap stands not only as a global hitmaker but also as a cultural ambassador and visionary advocate. His life, shaped by courage, creativity, and community, continues to inspire Filipinos worldwide to dream boldly, live purposefully, and celebrate their roots wherever their journeys lead.</p>

<p>Black Eyed Peas’ <a href="http://apl.de.ap">Apl.De.Ap</a> is celebrating his 50th birthday today.</p>