APL.DE.AP BRINGS AID TO NATIVE PHILIPPINES: Black Eyed Peas member takes the stage and brings food and cash to flood victims.

       "I just want to tell everybody that my heart goes out to you guys and I will try my best to help out," he told reporters ahead of the event.

       Apl, whose real name is Allan Pineda Lindo, also brought canned goods from California, donated cash and appealed for more money for victims from around the world.

       The artist, who was adopted at 14 and moved to the United States, said he remains proud of his roots.

      "I love our culture, and you know I wanna share that all over the world," he said. "I'm not ashamed of who I am, I'm very proud to be Filipino."

       Apl had been involved in various projects in his native country before the storm. He recently performed in a music video, created in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism and MTV Asia, singing a new rap song, "Take U to the Philippines," which features the country's white sand beaches, mountains and bustling cities.

       He has also launched his own music label, Jeepney Music, which he hopes will provide a platform for emerging Filipino music talent. As previously reported, participants can sign up and upload original music on the MTV Emerge Web site. Anyone can vote online to choose the finalists, who will be evaluated by a panel of judges including apl. Artists with the most talent and potential will be announced in November, when apl returns to Manila for another benefit concert. The winner will received a one-year recording contract with Jeepney Music.

       "This is my way of giving back," he said.