Before he lived in the United States in 1989 at age 14, The Black Eyed Peas member Allan Pineda Lindo, more popularly known as apl.de.ap, grew up in Angeles, Pampanga, watching sitcoms like “Iskul Bukol” and “John en Marsha.”
He was definitely a fan of slapstick, and he still recalls rolling in laughter at the antics of such comics as Chiquito, Tito, Vic and Joey, and Boy Tisoy.
Given the chance to star in a movie or a television show in the Philippines, the 38-year-old hip-hop artist told local entertainment writers at a recent press con, he would do comedy—but not before adequately learning Tagalog.
Indie producer
“I’m quite interested … to try work in the kind of programs that I grew up watching,” said apl, who will be sitting as one of the four coach-judges in the coming reality singing competition, “The Voice of the Philippines,” on ABS-CBN.
The Fil-Am BEP quipped, “I can do somersaults and back flips … I can do some action stuff, too, you know … perhaps action-comedy?”
With The Black Eyed Peas on a “creative hiatus” since late 2011, apl has had time in his hands to pursue personal interests. He’s been focusing on a solo album, for one and, just recently, revealed that he was producing a local independent film.
The film still doesn’t have a final working title, apl said, adding that he couldn’t announce just yet the names of the director and actors working on it. He did say, however, that he would make a cameo appearance. “As you know, I grew up in Pampanga. The story is about a boy from a small town going to a big city.”
He elaborated: “The language will be a mix of Filipino and Kapampangan. I’m not the main star, but you will see me here and there.”
Love interest
Meanwhile, after much prodding from the show biz writers, apl admitted that he courted KC Concepcion in 2011, and even gave the television host-actress a bouquet of flowers and a Tiffany bracelet for Christmas.
He stopped, he said, when he learned that she had a boyfriend at the time. Also, he said, “She got busy and I got busy. I went on tour and focused on my career.”
He hasn’t closed that door, though: “You never know what’s going to happen, but at least I got to know her for a bit and we’re still friends.”
Asked what he liked about KC, apl said, “First it was physical attraction. And then I got to know her [better] and found out that she was cool to hang out with. I thought she was going to be reserved, but she was actually very open-minded and talented.”
He would like to go out again with KC, apl admitted, “but I think she has a boyfriend [now].” When the reporters told him that the Kapamilya star just broke up with her latest beau and was single again, apl’s swift and cheeky reply was, “Oh, oh … let me get my phone!”