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Nov 9th: The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Allan Pineda Lindo, more popularly known as Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, made an appearance on November 3 at the Global Employee Resource Group Leadership Summit of Google at the Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel.
The summit with the theme, "One Google. Many Roots, Exponential Potential," aimed to motivate participants on how to think strategically and discuss how diversity can be linked to profits.
Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. is proud of Apl.de.ap's achievements. In his remarks, Consul General Paynor said, "He is a microcosm of what this summit's theme is all about. He came from a very diverse background and was able to transcend all barriers to rise to the top and touch many lives through his music and philanthropy. His life story shows that no matter how small or how big we are, we can give back to our community and be fulfilled individuals."
Apl.de.ap's keynote presentation at the Google summit was made possible through the initiative of the Filipino Googler Network, a group of Filipino employees in the company, with the aim of empowering Filipino googlers and Filipinos globally with education as a catalyst.
At the event, a video of Apl.de.ap's life story was shown. Apl.de.ap grew up in a family of seven children and a single mother in Sapang Bato, Pampanga. At 14, he came to the United States through an adoption program. Within weeks of his arrival, he would meet William Adams (will.i.am) who encouraged him to embrace and promote his Philippine heritage and culture through music. Together, the two, with Jaime Gomez (Taboo) and Stacy Ferguson (Fergie) would later form the Black Eyed Peas. The rest is history.
"When I was young, all I wanted was to be cool," Apl.de.ap said. "Now I want to give back," he continued.
He mentioned that his projects a year and a half ago in the Philippines were a computer laboratory and a music appreciation classroom. His ultimate vision for his foundation is to give equal opportunities to as many people as possible through technology and education. "We need to provide as many opportunities for kids to learn. Who knows, you might find the Black Eyed Peas, the next Apl.de.ap," he said.
Recently, he launched the "We Can Be Anything" campaign in the Philippines which aims to help reverse the education crisis by building more classrooms all over the country and by encouraging the youth to join his cause. With Google making global and local connection, Apl.de.ap was asked, "How do we build ties with the homeland?" He remarked that this can be done by visiting the Philippines, engaging in medical/business missions, and being informed about news about the Philippines, among others.
Apl.de.ap also provided his views on how to make change using Google as a brand: "Not a lot of people have an opportunity to make change. By coming together from our diverse backgrounds and utilizing the voice and reach of Google, we can have the power to make change." Participants at the summit were inspired and thankful for Apl.de.ap for his presence and sharing his insights. With Stevie Wonder, Manny Pacquiao, his adoptive dad Joe Ben Hudgens and the Black Eyed Peas as his heroes, Apl.de.ap personified "creativity," "diversity," "being a trailblazer," and "overcoming obstacles," values which Google and many successful companies promote. | | | |
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