BEP: We love Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - The Black Eyed Peas sang praises about Filipino culture, food and fans, saying that there are a lot of things foreigners can learn from Filipinos. Watch full video

The famous hip-hop foursome has returned to the country mainly for a concert yesterday night, one of its last shows before taking the “indefinite break” it announced last July. Fil-Am member apl.de.ap (real name: Allan Pineda) is also taking his bandmates on a little tour of “some indigenous spots”during their brief stay here.

In a presscon last Monday at Edsa Shangri-La, the Black Eyed Peas (BEP), whose other members are will.i.am, Taboo and Fergie, said that Filipinos are very special to them because they figured heavily in the group’s beginnings back in the mid-’90s.

 “We first started Black Eyed Peas (BEP) in Glendale, California among the Filipino community there. We played in Filipino house parties. We were first popular in the Filicommunity before Hollywood,” said will.i.am.

When they finally became huge in 2003 with the worldwide success of the album Elephunk, will.i.am said their Pinoy followers shared their pride, too. “Americans haven’t embraced us the way Filipinos did,” he said.

Now, wherever they perform in the world, there’s always a Filipino flag waving in the audience.

“It’s a following. It’s very much a unit,” Fergie, the band’s lone female member, said. “What I love about the Filipino community is that everyone sticks together. It’s very family-oriented, very loving and it’s a very beautiful thing. Other cultures should look up to the Philippines (in how) to unite because (Filipinos) are a very united crowd.”

For will.i.am, “Americans can learn from the Philippines when it comes to culture, families and working hard,” while Taboo said he admires the Filipino tenacity as exemplified by the likes of boxing hero Manny Pacquiao.

Fergie particularly gave props to Filipinas. “I noticed that in the Filipino culture, the women are very strong and outspoken. I like it because that’s what I try to embody.”

Taboo is actually married to one. “It was actually apl.de.ap who introduced me to Pinays. I’m so grateful to him because Filipinas are a beautiful people,” said Taboo, whose wife’s family is from Cavite.

They also know their Pinoy food. “Filipinos always bring great food to our dressing rooms during concerts, from chicken adobo, pakbet to lumpia,” will.i.am said.

Meanwhile, apl.de.ap’s bandmates reiterated their support for their “Filipino brother” in his advocacies. Watch related video

“I’m really proud to be here with apl,” will.i.am said. “I remember the day he came to America, he came to my house, and we’ve been friends ever since. I remember when we were 15, we’d go to a couple of parties, and he would always get sad because he wanted to return to his country. To cheer him up, I’d say, one day, we’re gonna go to the Philippines. But I never thought it’s gonna be like this — it’s amazing! I’m proud of my bestfriend, his dedication to help the situation in the Philippines and his (desire) to represent his country.”

Tough life notwithstanding, apl.de.ap has had beautiful childhood memories of the Philippines, often the subject of his Filipino songs in BEP albums. Born in Sapang Bato, Angeles City, he was raised by his single Filipina mother with his six younger siblings, before getting adopted in the US when he was 14 through the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, which aids Amerasian children. He has said in a previous interview that whatever success he has achieved through the years has been driven by his intention “to help my family, and I never, never forget that.”

In recent months, apl.de.ap has been busy giving back not just to his family, but also to his fellowmen, frequenting the country for education-related projects of his APL Foundation. In his hometown, he has already built a library, computer lab and music studio to benefit students of where he used to study. He is also partnering with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation for his “We Can Be Anything” campaign with the goal of building classrooms, particularly in poverty-stricken areas, across the nation.

He said he also owes it to his kababayan, who have given him so much appreciation — his motivation to continue sharing his heritage and culture with the world.

His bandmates laughingly recalled that in places where there are Filipinos, they are easily relegated to the background because they only want to talk to or take pictures with “Allan.”

Fergie said, “To us, it’s funny, but apl deserves all that (because) his story is amazing… he’s a hero, a role model and we love him.”

Meanwhile, they also addressed rumors that they are disbanding, telling The STAR in an exclusive one-on-one that they are simply taking a break, not breaking up.

BEP regularly takes a rest after a cycle of two albums. Their latest work The Beginning came out last year. “It’s kinda funny people are making a big deal out of this break,” Fergie said.

They may be taking a respite from recording and touring as a group, but their hands are full of other things to do.

“I never take breaks. I always work,” said will.i.am. “I’ll still be producing music for other artists, doing partnerships like the one with Intel, making products and a whole bunch of other things to come out next year.” The singer has also confirmed on his Twitter that he’ll release two solo albums; one is hip-hop, the other is dance-electro.

Taboo, meanwhile, will resume acting. He was last seen in Streetfighter (2009). “I just got back to acting two months ago in a film with Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz. I’m also collaborating with (Latin singer) Paulina Rubio.” He’ll also be involved with Gawad Kalinga, which he learned about through his wife’s relatives.

As for Fergie, she said, “I’m probably at fault for this break because I’m the female. Well, I’m going to decorate my house, work more on my footwear line and its launch. I just wanna be based more in LA. Motherhood? That too, in time.” (Fergie is married to actor Josh Duhamel).

“Me, I’m just gonna keep spreading the word about ‘We Can Be Anything’ campaign among Fil-Am communities in the US,” apl.de.ap said.

“Like Fil-Amthropy,” will.i.am piped in.

But how about politics? apl.de.ap was quick to respond, “Not for me.”

The Philippines is the only stop of the Black Eyed Peas in Southeast Asia. Last night’s show — produced by Futuretainment Inc. and Music Management International — at the MOA Concert Grounds drew concertgoers from neighboring countries like Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and even Korea and Australia.