Apl.de.ap and Kris Aquino team up

MANILA, Philippines - Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas and Kris Aquino are teaming up for the very first time in a commercial. But could something like a “brewing romance” be not far behind?

The idea cropped up after Kris, who looked fresh in back-baring red dress, playfully asked the Fil-Am member of the Grammy-winning hip-hop group if he was single, during a presscon Tuesday that officially introduced the two celebs as the newest endorsers of San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen.

“Are you single? Because I’m single now,” the TV host-actress, whose marriage has already been annulled, good-humoredly asked, to which Apl replied, “Yes, I am.”

Apl and Kris will headline the commercial that SMB execs said might call to mind the brand’s iconic TV ads of the past. Shooting started last Tuesday for the commercial that will air in March.

“I’m just so flattered to be in a commercial with you, thank you for doing this and thank you for doing so much good for the country,” Kris, who last did a commercial for SMB seven years ago, also told Apl.

Apl (Allan Pineda, in real life), whose success story has been an inspiration to Filipinos, replied, “I’m really excited to be in a commercial with you. You know, I grew up in Pampanga watching you on TV. I’m really excited. I’ll put my acting skills on.”

Kris reacted, “Apl magka-edad lang tayo ha. I just started really young.”

“That’s what I’m saying, you were on TV, while I was running around in my tsinelas,” Apl also reacted.

In a separate interview, Apl was queried more on what he thought about Kris’ statements and their seemingly instant chemistry, which became a teaser of sorts as to what to expect from the commercial, and he said, “You know, well, I was really shocked, I haven’t gone shy for a while (laughs). I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe (it’s) Kris Aquino’... She’s like an iconic lady, very beautiful and very smart. Yes, she’s my type. I like her brains.”

Apl and Kris with (from left) SMB group brand manager Erik Riola, SMB president Roberto Huang, SMB marketing manager Menlou Bibonia and San Miguel Pale Pilsen brand manager Joemar Climaco at the contract-signing in the San Miguel Corporation head office in Ortigas

Apl moved to the States when he was in his teens because of a foundation that arranges adoption for Amerasian children. But the 37-year-old singer has never forgotten his roots as well as his idyllic and happy childhood in Sapang Bato, Angeles City in Pampanga — memories of which he practically immortalized through his songs.

His new endorsement deal had the singer reminiscing on life in the Philippines again.

“This is part of my homecoming. Everytime I come home to the Philippines, there’s nothing like it, always memorable, so festive. My favorite thing is going home, hanging out with my friends and family.”

Other Pinoy traditions that make him want to return to the country, again and again, are “of course, Christmas. Walang katulad ang Paskong Pilipino. I love Simbang Gabi, and not just for the bibingka. I love eating out with families in one table, drinking beer and having pulutan... And the fiestas, they’re my favorite here, and of course, our beautiful beaches.”

He added, “I’m really honored to endorse a brand which has been around since I was still riding carabaos, and tagging along with my grandfather, planting kamote, tubo, kamoteng kahoy... You know it’s really an honor for me to endorse like one of the best, a proudly Pinoy brand (and at the same time) a worldwide known product. I’m really big on representing our culture around the world. I’m really proud to be Filipino.”

According to SMB president Roberto Huang, part of the endorsement deal is giving support to the education-related We Can Be Anything campaign of the Apl Foundation. The advocacy aims to build 10,000 classrooms, particularly in poverty-stricken areas, across the nation. In his hometown, Apl has already built a library, computer lab and music studio to benefit students of his former schools.

Huang said, “We are very honored and happy that Apl.de.ap has accepted our endorsement offer. San Miguel Pale Pilsen, in coordination with the San Miguel Foundation, will also partner with Apl in building more classrooms.”

Huang said it’s hard to quantify how much of an impact is created in tapping famous personalities for the brand’s commercials. “Because more than generating sales, it’s more of giving back to our supporters, to give them the best, we have to think of something big. I hope they will be delighted to see Kris and Apl in a commercial together.”

Apl said, “The storyline is really home for me. It’s more of like remembering where you’ve come from, and never changing. Whatever success you go through in life, di ka magbabago.”

Meanwhile, Apl is maximizing his time-off from touring and recording with his world-famous band. Their culminating show for 2011 was held right here in the country last November, wherein his bandmates Will.I.Am, Taboo and Fergie transformed the concert into a touching tribute to their “brother” Apl.

Apl said, “Right now, we’re taking a break — we’re not breaking up — and doing our individual endeavors and side projects.”

He has also been holding fundraising shows in the US, and he actually spent Valentine’s Day with Fergie as he asked her to be involved in an all-Filipino show he’s spearheading in the US.

Expect him to frequent the Philippines even more in the months to come. “Definitely, I’ve got a lot of projects going on, even last year, I was pretty much here every month. I wanna keep doing that to also watch over my projects.”

Apl also said that while he’s here, aside from celebrating the birthday of his niece Apple Joy (“I named her”), he will be flying to Cagayan de Oro, which recently saw devastation caused by floods brought by Typhoon Sendong. His foundation will construct eight new classrooms there. 

Within the year, he also hopes to release his solo album under his Jeepney Records, a label he set up for the purpose of promoting Pinoy acts. For the album, he will be working with fellow Pinoy artists who made it big in the US, like Bruno Mars and Charice, as well as emerging talents, one of whom is a kababayan named Arjohn Gilbert.

Arjohn is the young Aeta who’s become a YouTube sensation because of his singing talent. “Arjohn was cast in my video We Can Be Anything, he’s the guy that’s pulling my cart. During a break in the shooting, someone was just singing, and I found out it was him, and he sounded really good. That’s how we met, we’ve been talking and hanging out; he’s from my town also.”

The album will be released internationally. “Yes, it’s definitely international. It will feature collaborations, solo songs and Tagalog songs.”