With Black Eyed Peas on hiatus, band member Apl.de.ap is spending time supporting education in the Philippines. In his song “We Can Be Anything,” the singer inspires kids to become what they dream to be. Although the song is for the Philippines, it applies to education aroudn the world.

From his own experience, apl.de.ap (a.k.a. Allan Pineda) knew that, for many Filipinos mired in poverty or other difficult circumstances, education is the only long-term ticket to a better life. Unfortunately, millions among the youth are deprived of this ticket to opportunity or drop out of school for a variety of reasons. One basic obstacle is the severe shortage of public school classrooms; the Department of Education estimates the backlog at 66,800 classrooms as of schoolyear 2010-2011, Another factor is the barren environment for learning in many parts of the country due to scarce resources with which to set up libraries and similar facilities.

Several organizations have launched programs to address these and many other problems besetting the Philippine educational system. Through his foundation, apl.de.ap wants to be able to help some of these programs.

On a personal level, he simply wants to tell young Filipinos that he was able to go so far in life because he got an education. To deliver this message, he has composed the song, “We Can Be Anything”, around which a campaign could be built. Through the WeCanBeAnything campaign, apl.de.ap lends his celebrity, music and personal network to rally massive support for key education initiatives, while reinforcing the broader message on the importance of education.

Apl.de.ap has been helping the Philippines with his celebrity status. Listen to his songs for We Be Workin’, Mama Filipina, U Can Dream, and Take U to the Phillipines.

We Can Be Anything by Apl.de.ap