Pinoy talent will headline the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in November as House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) chairman, secured a pledge from Filipino-American hip-hop artist Allan Pineda Lindo, more popularly known as apl.de.ap, to support the upcoming event.
The pledge secures Lindo’s participation in the Torch Relay in New Clark City in Pampanga and his performance at the opening ceremony on Nov. 30, 2019 and the closing ceremony on Dec. 11, 2019.
The signing ceremony held at the House of Representatives was attended by Rep. Abraham Tolentino (8th District, Cavite), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president, POC Chairman Steve Honteveros, Phisgoc Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara, and Philippine Sports Commissioners Arnold Agustin and Ramon Fernandez, among others.
Cayetano thanked Lindo for his support and hoped that more Filipinos would be inspired by the musician.
“I know you want to see him perform and hear him sing in the South East Asian Games but I’m really hoping—and this is a request to the TV stations—that you invite him as a guest. Because if you learn his story, his struggles, you will see the Filipino side in him. And you will see how his giving back to us means so, so much to many that he has inspired,” the speaker said.
For his part, Lindo said he was excited to be a part of the SEA Games, especially as a Pampangeño who was born in Barangay Sapang Bato, Angeles City.
“[I want to perform] simply because I’m from Angeles City, Pampanga and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I wanted to be part of this historical moment. It only happens every 20 years. I’m really proud of my country and I just really wanted to share my talent and what I can provide for this event,” Lindo said.
Lindo added that his American hip-hop group The Black Eyed Peas will perform alongside him.
“We’ve been talking about the production and we’re going to do something special for the closing, with the whole band. We’ve done a lot of sporting events. But this is the most important one for me because I’m proud to be Pinoy. It’s in my hometown and I can’t wait to deliver,” he said. (Czarina Engracia / News and Documentation Section-Press and Public Affairs Bureau / House of Representatives)