Apl's Story

Allan Pineda Lindo – better known as Apl.de.ap of one of the world’s biggest groups, the Black Eyed Peas – is connected to Bucks County, Pennsylvania in a way you’d never guess.

Having grown up in poverty on a small farm in the Philippines, Apl became a sponsored child of Pearl S. Buck International at a very young age. He attended school and received medical and dental care because of monthly donations from his sponsor, Joe Ben Hudgens of California. Hudgens, knowing that Apl suffered from poor vision and nystagmus, an involuntary movement of the eye muscles, invited Apl to come to the United States at the age of 11 for eye surgery.

Despite his poor vision, Apl saw very clearly that he wanted to come and live with Hudgens in the United States. Three years and several more trips later, Apl was officially adopted by Hudgens. He quickly assimilated into life as an American teenager in the late 1980’s, just as hip-hop and break dance were developing as a form of performance art. He delved into the street culture and soon partnered with friends who had similar interests. It didn’t take long for the Black Eyed Peas to be signed to a record label and begin producing international hit songs like ‘Where is the Love?’ and ‘I Gotta Feeling’. The group will perform at the Halftime Show for Superbowl XLV on February 6, 2011.

Now a leading hip-hop musician and record producer, Apl wants to give back to the organization that gave him the opportunity to become who he is today. Through his music, he wants to share his Filipino culture with the rest of the world and inform the public about the child sponsorship programs of Pearl S. Buck International. He recently became an Honorary Board Member of Pearl S. Buck International and visited our affiliate office in the Philippines in December to deliver Christmas presents and made a substantial donation to support the education of our sponsored children.

Pearl S. Buck International is grateful to have such an internationally-known figure as part of our honorary board, and we look forward to working with Apl to continue making life better for the thousands of Filipino children who deserve the opportunity to succeed in life. Who knows which one of them could be the next Apl.de.ap?