Apple of his eye: apl.de.ap's hometown visit

Saturday, August 20, 2011

ANGELES CITY--It would take almost an hour drive from the city's center up to Barangay Sapang Bato, an upland village here.

Once inside the village, one needs to climb a short elevated road leading to the Sapang Bato National High School which sits beside its elementary counterpart.

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The high school has several buildings with concrete walls and wooden windows and doors. Inside the classrooms are old wooden desks for students and a small table for the teacher.

It might be a typical school but not for international pop star Allan Pineda, more popularly known as apl.de.ap, of the Black Eyed Peas.

For Pineda, Sapang Bato National High School spells home as he came back here for the second time on Tuesday. He brought 18 brand new wireless computer units and boxes of books for his alma mater.

During his first visit, Pineda opened a music room and funded the renovation of the school's library and computer room.

Pineda's cheerfulness in helping his hometown has delighted the student of the Sapang Bato National High School.

"To him, we are special and that keeps us inspired in studying hard," Sheryl Castillo, 13, a second year student, shared.

Castillo is one of the hundreds of students in the public high school to enjoy the new computers and books donated by Pineda.

Alvin Laxa, 16, a fourth-year high school student said their school computers were old and operating slowly.

"We get difficulties using the old computers. Some files would even get corrupted. But, now, it's much much better," Laxa recounted.

Even their library, Laxa said, have improved in terms of space and availability of books.

"You will really be encouraged to study harder because everything you need is almost here, new computers and new books, what more can we ask for?" Laxa asked.

Rona Beliran and Hanna Grace Goton, second and first year students, respectively, are just as happy.

"We're overwhelmed with how much Apl.de.ap loves us," the two said.

For Edelmira Senapilo, school librarian for 13 years, Pineda's donations are "big help" for the school to catch up with the facilities other schools downtown have.

"We don't have English books. We, have Kapampangan books now," Senapilo said.

"We are very happy and proud that Pineda shared with us the fruits of his labor," she added.

Pineda is the best example of a humble person thinking that he owes his popularity to his hometown.

"I didn't expect na babalik pa siya ng ganon at bigyan pa kami ng mas malaking opportunity. Siya yung tipo ng tao na matulungin sa kapwa lalo na sa lugar na pinanggalingan niya (I didn't expect him to go back and give us more help. He is the kind of persons who do not forget where he came from)," Laxa said.

Aside from Sapang Bato National High School, Pineda also made a donation to the Holy Angel University.