apl.de.ap launches education campaign

“With an education, we can be anything.”

This is the message  apl.de.ap, the Filipino-American member of multi-Grammy Award winning group Black Eyed Peas,  would like to give the Filipino youth through his  “We Can Be Anything” Education Advocacy Campaign.

apl.de.ap, together with Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and The apl.de.ap Foundation, launched the campaign to help build public school classrooms and other learning centers in the Philippines.

More classrooms, more learning

At the press conference held in Sofitel Hotel last Saturday, apl.de.ap and NCAF President Rafa Lopa announced their plan to build classrooms and empower the Filipino youth.

“There are millions of kids there not able to go to school and really cram in a small space like sardines. When it was brought up to me by Rafa and the NCAF, we want to provide 10,000 classrooms in the country,” apl.de.ap told the press.

Paying it forward

Born and raised in Pampanga until he was adopted and sent to the US, apl.de.ap shared that the challenges he faced went hand-in-hand with a lot of opportunities. As NCAF’s special ambassador for education, apl.de.ap wants to give back and share his blessings to fellow Filipinos.

“Thinking back where I came from, I knew about the kids who can’t afford to go to school. I myself was a kid in the Philippines who was adopted in the US and given the opportunity. I know the situation so it’s really important for me to give back and never forget where I came from. It’s really important for me to help the improvement of the education of my country,” apl.de.ap said.

He added that many children in the country are hungry for education, and being in school is a privilege.

“I would not have gotten this far were it not for an education, and I’d like to be able to help the young ones out there to achieve their dreams,” apl.de.ap said.

Proud Filipino

Despite the success, apl.de.ap hasn’t forgotten his roots. Last August, he donated computers and music libraries in his hometown.

“I’m really proud to be Pinoy and where I came from. I don’t’ wanna forget where I came from and I think this is my calling, to give back and to think about the kids in the provinces,” he said.

Experiences in school

How was he as a student?

“I think I was pretty good,” apl.de.ap said, smiling as the press applauded. He shared that he had a problem with his eyes. But it didn’t stop him from studying.

“I had a problem in school reading the blackboard because of my eye condition but I didn’t let it stop me. My adoptive father was pretty impressed with my grades along with my difficulties,” apl.de.ap shared.
He also said in jest that his favourite subject was English since he knew he was going to be adopted. “I remember I told my mom that I was scared. I asked her, ‘How will I talk to everyone in English?’ And my mom gave me a dictionary to read,” apl.de.ap recalled, laughing.

Call for unity

apl.de.ap composed the song “We Can Be” for the campaign.  He shared that Filipinos are his sources of inspiration for the song since apl.de.ap thinks his kababayan are heroes in their own way.

“When I say you can be a hero, I’m talking about all of us. All of us, joining resources and helping out each other and finding opportunities for the kids,” he said.

apl.de.ap also proudly said that fellow Black Eyed Peas members will.i.am, Fergie and Taboo support him in this campaign.

Concert for a cause

Black Eyed Peas will have a concert at the SM MOA Grounds on October 25.  The show, which will also launch the “We Can Be Anything” campaign, is organized by Futuretainment Inc. and Music Management International.

“My band members always support me on this. They’re gonna be supporting me on launching this campaign when we come here again on the 25th. We always support each other’s endeavours. Actually, Taboo wants to come here on December and help out,” apl.de.ap revealed.