You cant take the Pinoy out of apl.de.ap

apl.de.ap (also known as Allan Pineda) is back in Manila for the nth time. He may have lost count of his visits to the Philippines since he and his group The Black Eyed Peas first performed here four years ago. Most of them were welcomed with much fanfare and hype as the concert venues were jampacked and he shared his hip-hop/funk/pop/dance type of music.

But his recent visit — he arrived yesterday — is one he always looks forward to with much anticipation and gusto.

“I’ve been here every year since 2004,” recalls apl.de.ap of how he has been smitten by the sound and sights of the Philippines. “I also go here during Christmas to visit my family (in Pampanga). I did a small concert with Manny Pacquiao in 2006. I would make my surprise appearances on Wowowee. I’m fascinated by the Philippines because I’m from here. I was born here. I’m a Filipino. Everytime I come home, I’m embraced by my people (kababayan). And I love it and I love them. The 13-hour flight (from the US to Manila) is like I’m going back home. And I get excited. My mom cooks all my favorite food like sinigang. The people are nice. Each visit grounds me back and reminds me of where I came from and who I am.”

These are some of the reasons why MYX Music Awards on its third year gives aple.de.ap. a special citation for his contribution to world music and his own brand of nationalism.

“I have introduced Filipino culture to the world,” says apl.de.ap of his contribution to the local music industry. “I’m proud of who I am. My being in America and being adopted from the Philippines have given me motivation and drive as an artist. I love my culture. I like to represent and put my culture on the map.”

aple.de.ap will receive his first award from the Philippines tonight at 8 at the Meralco Theater. But the entire event will be broadcast on March 30, 8 p.m. on Studio 23 and MYX 24/7. The Black Eyed Peas member will also present the Favorite Music Video of the Year award. Like in the previous years, artists and bands will get together for one night to honor the best acts in the local music scene.

Expected to grace the affair are Yeng Constantino, Sandwich, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Kitty Girls, Kamikazee, Parokya ni Edgar, PBB housemates Ruben Gonzaga and Gaby dela Merced, MYX North America VJs Chris Cayzer and Amber Davis and Edu Manzano.

apl.de.ap. says he will also take advantage of his visit to reconnect with his kababayan and his culture and to know what’s going on here including the latest in music. This is also a perfect time for him to tap local artists for his solo album titled Allan Pineda to be released within the year.

Although his album has similarities with  previous ones from The Black Eyed Peas, Allan Pineda (apl.de.ap’s real name) talks about his individual expression as an artist and experiences as an individual. It carries songs like Island dishing out about the beauty of the Philippines; and Mama Filipina, dealing with local politics and economics. The album features artists like Artstrong and Billy Crawford.

aple.de.ap. adds Allan Pineda will also spread out to the world the natural musical inclination of Pinoys and how talented they are as artists.

What makes aple.de.ap Filipino?, he replies, “I think I like singing about it — who I am. I like representing the place where I came from. I like to cook chicken adobo and do my own laundry.”