"Listen closely yo, I got a story to tell A version of my ghetto where life felt for real Some would call it hell but to me it was heaven God gave me the grace, amazin' ways of living How would you feel if you had to catch your meal? Build a hut to live and to eat and chill in. Having to pump the water outta the ground The way we put it down utilizing what is around Like land for farming, river for fishing Everyone helpin' each other whenever they can We makin' it happen, from nothin' to somethin' That's how we be survivin' back in my homeland"

These are the lyrics of the Black Eyed Peas' song entitled "The Apl Song" from their Elephunk album. The BEP member who sang this piece, is no stranger to any music-loving Filipino. His name is Allan Pineda Lindo, aka "Apl.de.ap". A brilliant artist who sings about the simple joys that he finds in his life of poverty in the Philippines. He celebrated his journey from the Philippines and the sacrifices that he made in his songs. Poverty is never pretty but Apl's lyrics showed the world, how it molds character. Poverty can be a good teacher if you allow it. It can teach you virtues like courage, resourcefulness and ambition. Yes, Ambition can be a virtue when it motivates you to excell and rise above seemingly unsurmountable odds.

"Yo, its been a while but... I been back home to my homeland, (check it out) to see what's going on Man it feels good to be back at home And it's been a decade, on the journey all alone I was fourteen when I first left Philippines I've been away half my life, but it felt like a day To be next to my mom with her home cooked meal Meant I felt complete, my emotions I feel! Now life has changed for me in the U.S But back at home man, life was a mess... I guess sometimes life's stresses gets you down On your knees, oh brother I wish I could have helped you out..."

Who would have thought that in the midst of his fame in the Land of Milk and Honey", he would choose to write this particular song. I believe Apl unwittingly taught his generation a few things about life. The Apl song is about pride in one's roots. It's about acknowledging one's very humble beginnings, about ambition and most of all it's about love for and devotion to family. We've all shared in his memories of home one way or another. These are the things that drive most of us to distant shores to endure lonely winters but these are also the same things that call us back home. Just like Apl, America will never be home to me. I know deep in my heart, America is where I earn my living but Philippines is where I live my life.