There are many Filipinos in the US who are helpful in the lives of Filipinos in the homeland.
There are also Filipinos with foreign blood living or working abroad who support advocacies for the enhancement of life of their fellowmen back home.
One of them is the popular member of Black Eyed Peas musical rap band, Apl.de.ap, a Fil-Am from Pampanga who has made his mark in the American music industry.
Allan Pineda Lindo in real life, Apl.de.ap has just launched a project that he collaborated with the Philippine government.
The program is called Million Coconut Trees.
The rapper has started planting coconut trees in Laguna province and will expand his planting project in other parts of the country.
In an interview, Allan said that he wants to help Filipino farmers by thinking of this unique activity.
"Why not plant millions of them and help both nature and farmers?” he said
This is one way of sharing Lindo’s hope for the future of the Philippines.
“I am planting hope,” he quipped.
According to observers, Apl.de.ap has proven that he isn’t only a superstar in the world music scene but also a name to reckon with in Philippine agriculture.
Apl.de.ap’s coconut trees will also help prevent soil degradation or soil destruction in Laguna and other places all over the country.
Allan said that his helping the farmers has been a dream since he was a kid in Pampanga where he helped his Filipino grandfather in farming.
“During the pandemic, I learned that coconuts can help restore soil quality. So, I thought, why not plant millions of them and help both nature and farmers?” recalled Apl.
Laguna is the pilot site of the program but he intends to expand it through the support of cooperatives, Local Government Units (LGUs) and local farmers.
“Beginning of next year, I’m hoping to start the whole project, working with coops and LGUs and farmers,” said the rap artist.
“We gotta figure it out, that’s why we’re doing the pilot here so that it’s easier,” he added.
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