I am proud to be Pinoy and I never forget where I came from.
— apl.de.ap
Mentoring artists is something I love.
We've had great experiences in Israel - besides traveling around, we got to go to some clubs. We didn't really know how the nightlife would be in Tel Aviv, and we were surprised how big the party was and what a high level the clubs and music were at.
We met Ferg at one of our shows in L.A. She gave us her number. For the song 'Shut Up' on Elephunk, we needed a vocalist. Someone said 'yo, remember that white girl - we should get her in the studio.' Since then, we've become friends. She's one of the guys now, she isn't just a girl.
Everybody wanted to be Michael Jackson. That's how Will and I got to know each other.
I have memories of being on the farm with my grandfather.
Back then we were young, we would just mash all forms of music together and come up with something.
There's a lot of kids just like me growing up in the Philippines, so I don't want them to give up. So listen to your parents, work hard and you can achieve so much.
Some teachers used to worry and ask me, 'What are you going to be when you grow up?'
My being in America and being adopted from the Philippines have given me motivation and drive as an artist.
I'm fascinated by the Philippines because I'm from here. I was born here. I'm a Filipino.
When I dance, I picture myself and the floor in my head.
The Black Eyed Peas is a family.
I hated sunsets for a long time.
I've been building classrooms for children. Computer labs for kids. It's such a huge problem and so many children just aren't given a chance in life.
It is really important for me to help my culture.
DJing is one of my hobbies.
You also have to surround yourself with people who have the same dreams and values as you do.
Our first conversation went like: ‘So, what do you do in the Philippines for fun?' ‘Well, I like to rap and breakdance.' And Will was like, ‘What?? Me too!' That sparked our friendship and from then on, we were inseparable.
To me, it's pretty much the same thing - I just love playing music. But the cool thing about DJing is that I get to play other people's music, I can mix it up between our songs and a variety of musical genres. It also enables me to be more intimate with the audience.
I came to the U.S. to have opportunities. I saw a lot of people in gangs. I just didn't understand that - you live in the U.S., you have all these opportunities. And then you get in a gang?
In every Filipino family, the children always want to help the parents… that was my goal.
Usually when you hear about rappers in Asia, they always try to be like gangsters and stuff like that and I don't get it.
You know, some things you can't change, but you can start from the youth to change the future.
If we go to a party, I'll just be chilling in the corner, absorbing everything.
I never met my father. He left before I was born.
I have introduced Filipino culture to the world.
I'm comfortable not using my vision.
Until I discovered hip-hop, I felt I wasn't going to accomplish anything.
It is important for me to help others because I was also helped by others before I became part of the Black Eyed Peas.
I was just a kid. I had nothing to my name but I was still happy. But I was also given a chance to pursue my dreams, have an education.
If there's a Filipino flag waving, will.i.am whispers to me, ‘Filipinos are over there!' And then I wave towards that direction.
When I see the discrepancy between kids in the Philippines and the U.S., I feel like I have to give them an opportunity.
You have to keep pushing yourself and reinventing yourself.
When Will and I were growing up in Los Angeles, his girlfriends were always Israeli, so we'd always be hanging out with Israelis in L.A.
We're always in the studio pretty much, either at home or on the road, trying to come up with new ideas and stuff.
There were a lot of gangs in high school. Instead of being in a gang, I decided to dance.
I just wanted to have an education.
I was once a struggling artist, so I just want to help others, and provide my resources and connections and the people I know.
I think anyone that's running for office really should focus on the education for our youth, creating more jobs and employment, and really focusing on our next generation.
In break-dancing, you create your own style.
When you have an education, you can make anything happen.
I like to cook chicken adobo and do my own laundry.
I doubted myself for a long time.
Back in Sapangbato in Angeles City, my mom signed me up on this foundation called Pearl S. Buck where they support Fil-Am kids left during the time when U.S. soldiers where at the Clark Air Base.
I was born blind in Sapangbato in Angeles City.
I had poor eyesight when I was young and despite that, I was making good grades.
I've started my own record label - Jeepney Music - and I want to put out my own stuff and also stuff by other Filipino artists.
Coming from the Philippines to the U.S. did shape me in that it gave me perseverance.
