LOOK: Apl.de.ap visits Cavite schools to highlight electric vehicle sector

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.ap on Thursday graced both campuses of the Sisters of Mary Schools in Cavite to highlight the significance of education on electrification and electric vehicles and how it could benefit the country.

Apl.de.ap visited the SMS schools in Silang, Cavite upon an invitation from Fr. Al’s Children Foundation, Inc. (FACFI), and his newly-formed partnership with Asian Development Bank (ADB) on a project to equip young Filipino students with education on the electric vehicle (EV) sector.

Apl.de.ap arrives in SMS boystown campus and is welcomed by former Inquirer chair Marixi Rufino-Prieto and Fr. Al’s Children Foundation, Inc. (FACFI) president Charlie Rufino on Thursday, May 16. | photo by Zacarian Sarao

Thousands of students — and even faculty members — from both the boystown and girlstown campuses welcomed Apl.de.ap, setting up several performance numbers to welcome the internationally acclaimed artist.

Apl.de.ap performs his hit song with the Black Eyed Peas ‘Where is the Love?’ with students of SMS Boystown. | photo by Zacarian Sarao

“It’s a great experience to see amazing kids, representation, and the amount of opportunities that Sisters of Mary are providing to these kids and their future,” the six-time Grammy winner told INQUIRER.net in an interview.

READ: A ‘bubble‘ success story from the Sisters of Mary School in Cavite

“It’s very inspiring and it reminds me of me, from my humble beginnings and being given the opportunity to pay it forward and I get to do this on a smaller scale,” he added.

Students of SMS boystown strike a pose with Apl.de.ap. | Photo by Zacarian Sarao

According to the rapper, the Apl.de.ap Foundation International’s partnership with ADB aims to develop an EV curriculum for Filipino students.

It also aims to establish a center for e-mobility training and development, as well as an EV innovation hub in the country.

Students flock around Apl.de.ap for an autograph. | Photo by Zacarian Sarao

“This is why I want to be back more often, because, I’m starting a project about electric vehicles, and we want to start an education program because I believe that the Philippines need to be at the start of this industry which is electrification when it comes to climate change,” Apl.de.ap told the students in a speech.

“We need to educate our workforce, and by teaching electrification — EV will be at the forefront for hiring more jobs,” he added.

SMS girlstown students surprise Apl.de.ap as they seamlessly rap ‘Where is the Love?’ word per word. | Photo by Zacarian Sarao

Apl.de.ap then highlighted the importance of “paying it forward” and taking every opportunity as seriously as possible.

“Make sure that you take these opportunities and take them very seriously, and think of others, spread the love and you know, Philippines is moving into a brighter future especially in electrification so we need to prepare ourselves and be at the start of a new industry and let’s help each other, we need to involve everyone in sharing the blessing and the knowledge and education,” Apl.de.ap said.

Apl.de.ap strikes a pose with SMS girlstown students. | Photo by Zacarian Sarao

The SMS, established in 1985, provides free high school education to poor youth.

It also provides all of its students free food, clothing, shelter, and medical and dental services.

The SMS also offers vocational courses such as automotive servicing, shielded metal arc welding, bookkeeping, dressmaking, bread and pastry production, and technical drafting, among others.