Peace envoy to donate books for Bangsamoro children

MANILA, Philippines - Apl.de.ap of the world famous band Black Eyed Peas yesterday pledged to donate books to school children in Bangsamoro areas and conduct school-feeding programs in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Apl.de.ap, as peace ambassador, said he learned about the historic framework agreement of the Philippine government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on CNN.

As peace ambassador, the Fil-Am singer – whose real name is Allan Pineda – received a briefing on the framework agreement over Skype from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP). “Definitely, I want to be involved. This is great news!” he said.

He established the Apl Foundation which has school-building projects in the Philippines and Asia. It has an ongoing partnership with the Ninoy and Cory Foundation and the MyLibrary program of Ayala Foundation/Philippine Development Foundation and the 57-75 Movement for educational reform. Apl.de.ap said the projects that he would like to spearhead in Mindanao include school-feeding programs and book donations.

The singer, who used to ride a jeepney to go to his school in Pampanga, was often quoted as saying that “education is the only long-term ticket to a better life.”