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Apl.de.ap at the Walmart Shareholders’ Meeting in 2011. Photo by Zac Lehr,

Top 10 Fun Facts about apl.de.ap

Allan Pineda Lindo who was born November 28, 1974, known professionally as apl.de.ap is a Filipino-American rapper, singer and record producer. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Black Eyed Peas.

He is also an entrepreneur & philanthropist best known as a co-founder/member of the Grammy Award-winning hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas.Outside of creating music, Apl is a regular judge on the hit show, The Voice: Teen.

Let’s take a look at some of the fun facts about him;

1.He was born in Angeles City to an African American father and a Filipino mother

Allan Pineda Lindo was born in Angeles City, Philippines. His African American father, an airman stationed at Clark Air Base, left the family shortly after his birth; his Filipino mother, Cristina Pineda, raised him and his six younger siblings as a single mother.

As a child, Pineda would make an hour-long jeepney trip to and from his school and helped his family subsist by farming sweet potatoes, corn, sugar cane and rice. He grew up with his siblings and their single mum ever since his father abandoned them. 

2.He was sponsored to go to the USA by Joe Ben Hudgens through a dollar-a-day program 

Apl.de.ap at the Dinner GALA in Los Angeles, California.
Photo by Frederick Manligas Nacino

The Pearl S. Buck Foundation, an organization that finds healthier living environments for young abandoned or orphaned American children, matched him with a sponsor named Joe Ben Hudgens, a lawyer, through a dollar-a-day program.

He initially travelled to the United States of America seeking medical attention for his sick eyes, but after a trip to Disneyland, Pineda expressed his interest in staying in the United States. It would take another three years for Hudgens to officially adopt him, but at fourteen he moved permanently to live with them. 

3. He was adopted officially by Hudgens at 14 and permanently moved to the USA

After a trip to Disneyland, Pineda expressed his interest in staying in the United States. It would take another three years for Hudgens to officially adopt him, but at fourteen he moved permanently to live with them.

In Los Angeles, Pineda attended John Marshall High School, where he met and befriended William Adams (stage name will.i.am), the nephew of Hudgens’ roommate. Pineda’s early musical influences were Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, The Beatles, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Leaders of the New School and the Filipino rock/folk group Asin.

4.Pineda has lost two of his siblings

He has lost two of his siblings: his younger brother Arnel committed suicide (this is referenced in “The Apl Song” in the lines “I guess sometimes life’s stresses get you down on your knees/Oh brother, wish I could have helped you out”).

His youngest brother, Joven Pineda Deala, was also murdered at the age of 22 in February 2009 in Porac, Pampanga. Their deaths was a big blow to Pineda as he loved all his siblings so much. 

5.He suffered from nystagmus, an involuntary movement of the eyes

He initially came to the United States at the age of eleven for treatment for nystagmus, an involuntary movement of the eyes. Pineda revealed to People magazine in 2011 that he is legally blind in both of his eyes, suffering from nystagmus, and has had this condition his entire career.

His vision was corrected in 2012 after his trip to United States of America . He underwent an eye surgery by Beverly Hills eye surgeon Brian Boxer Wachler to implant artificial lenses into his eyes to correct his nearsightedness and nystagmus.

6.Pineda independent record label, BMBX Entertainment

Apl.de.ap performing with Black Eyed Peas at Outside Lands 2009 Photo by Moses Namkung

In 2014, Pineda opened his independent record label, BMBX Entertainment, whose name refers to ‘boombox’. The label aims to sign South East Asian artists and give them a Western-style production by collaborating with musicians in Los Angeles.

It sources its talent from the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. Its current roster includes Slapshock, Kevin Lester and The Voice Philippines season 1 semi-finalist Jessica Reynoso. The record has since grown its brand over the years. 

7.Apl.de.ap is also a philanthropist 

Apl.de.ap was honored in America by the prestigious “This Time Foundation” for his charity works.On November 18, 2008, he founded the Apl Foundation to help various communities and children in the Philippines and throughout Asia.

In 2011, after expressing his desire to help improve the education situation in the Philippines.The foundation also focuses on supporting youth to grant opportunities through arts, technology and healthcare in the Philippines. 

His foundation formed a partnership with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) to create the “We Can Be Anything” advocacy campaign where Apl.de.ap and NCAF plan to build 10,000 classrooms in two years or less through the advocacy.

8.He has received several awards in his career 

Apl.de.ap performing at a Black Eyed Peas concert at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Photo by Hunter Kahn

He has received several awards in his career including the Special Citation – Myx Music Awards which he received in 2008,Best Hip-Hop/Rap Performance: Take Me to the Philippines – Filipino-American Vocal Arts Society Online Music Awards in 2010.

He also received the GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards – Global Achievement by a Filipino Artist in 2012. He was also honored after he was confirmed as ABS-CBN’s fourth and final coach of the show “The Voice of the Philippines”.

9.He is multilingual

He is multilingual as he speaks fluent English, and is also a native speaker of two Philippine languages: Tagalog and Kapampangan. His father was an African American father, an airman stationed at Clark Air Base,who left the family shortly after his birth while his mother Filipino, Cristina Pineda. 

He grew up knowing the cultures of both the Philippines and the American people and became an icon himself. He is one of the most popular people in Philippines and one of the most influential celebrities. 

10.His net worth is estimated to be around $32 million

His net worth is estimated to be around $32 million and he got most of his wealth from his career as a musician. He also got huge sums for the copies of music they sold with the Black Eyed Peas band. He also appeared on many shows as a mentor including the popular show ” The voice of Philippines “, the show earned him huge salaries. 

He is considered one of the richest Philippines celebrities and one of the most popular and influential persons in the Philippines. His career is on the rise.