Czarina Faith Abuso

5 celebrities who channeled Apl.de.Ap’s hip-hop swag on “Your Face Sounds Familiar”

Article (news)

Kyla Dennise Magbanua

<p>Apart from being a co-founder and member of the hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas, Filipino-American artist Apl.de.Ap has helped bring Filipino culture to the international stage through his music. His songs like “<em>Bebot</em>” and “<em>The Apl Song</em>” pay tribute to his Filipino roots, and they have remained fan favorites ever since.  </p><p>From hyping up the international stage to electrifying the “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Your Face Sounds Familiar</strong></a>” stage, these Apl.de.Ap transformations brought his signature energy and turned the night into full-on party mode through these performances.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Nyoy Volante (YFSF Season 1, 2015) - “Bebot”</strong></div><div><iframe width="1052" height="600" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uuy04vTvsaY" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar: Nyoy Volante as Apl de Ap - &quot;Bebot&quot;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>We did not see the ballad crooner in him as Nyoy Volante went full rapper mode in singing the anthem “<em>Bebot</em>.” It wasn’t just his vocals that resembled Apl, even his transformation made him look like the rap icon himself.  </p><p>Judge Jed Madela turned the name Apl into an acronym to describe Nyoy’s number, “<em>Always Performance Level.</em>” He highlighted how Nyoy challenges himself every week, noting that he always steps onstage as if it were his last chance ever.  </p><p>Building on Jed’s acronym, Judge Sharon Cuneta rephrased it as “A<em>ng Perfect Lang</em>,” remarking that Nyoy definitely nailed it. Judge Boy Abunda, who has always been in awe of Nyoy, admitted he was surprised to see a different side of him. “<em>The possibilities are infinite when you watch a performer like Nyoy,</em>” he exclaimed. </p><p>Nyoy placed 2nd at the end of the season.  </p><div> </div><div><strong>Xia Vigor (YFSF Kids Season 1, 2017) - “Bebot”</strong></div><div><iframe width="1052" height="600" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NPuiQk7oaoA" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids: Xia Vigor as APL.D.AP - Bebot" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Even the “<em>YFSF Kids</em>” edition had their mini version of Apl.de.Ap, this time through Xia Vigor, who stepped away from her bubbly persona to unleash her inner swag with the song “<em>Bebot</em>.” Xia even had mini interactions with the audience, bringing out the energy in the studio.  </p><p>According to Judge Ogie Alcasid, Xia had already set the standard. He appreciated how she delivered well despite the struggles of wearing prosthetics. Following this, Judge Gary Valenciano gave a short remark that wrapped up his thoughts, “<em>I loved what you did</em>.”  </p><p>Finally, amazed by how she can do everything at such a young age, Judge Sharon Cuneta was charmed by Xia. “<em>Congratulations on your performance</em>,” she said. </p><p>Xia placed 5th at the end of the season. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Onyok Pineda (YFSF Kids Season 2, 2018) - “Bebot”</strong></div><div><iframe width="1052" height="600" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GF8upmd138E" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids 2018: Onyok Pineda as Apl De Ap | Bebot" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Another little Apl.de.Ap was on the run, as Onyok Pineda offered his own rendition of “<em>Bebot</em>.” As soon as he went out of the ‘<em>iconator</em>,&#x27; everyone was already jamming with him, even chanting the lyrics along. Onyok later conveyed that he has been interested in rapping ever since.</p><p>Judge Sharon Cuneta was delighted watching him. “<em>Napaka-cute mo talaga. Talagang tuwing lalabas ka, lahat ng tao natutuwa sa’yo</em>,” she mentioned, appreciating his efforts to always give his best. Using the millennial term, Judge Ogie Alcasid shared that he was “<em>shooked</em>,” praising Onyok for incorporating comedy into his presentation.  </p><p>“<em>Lahat ng mga tao ay sobrang sabik at inaabangan nila palagi kung anong gagawin mo</em>,” Judge Gary Valenciano added, describing Onyok as cute, lovable, energetic, and special, and noting that he truly enjoyed everything. </p><p>Onyok placed 2nd at the end of the season.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Jhong Hilario (YFSF Season 3, 2021) - “Bebot”</strong></div><div><iframe width="1052" height="600" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5GBPs2JfG9k" title="Jhong Hilario as Apl De Ap | Bebot | Your Face Sounds Familiar 2021" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Jhong hyped up the crowd by performing the iconic hit “<em>Bebot</em>,” showcasing just how multitalented he is. He nailed Apl’s nuances and ad-libs, and his rapping techniques were on point. Later, Jhong expressed his happiness with the icon he was assigned to embody.</p><p>“<em>You are the CEO of dancing. ‘Yung performance mo ngayon, wow, parang mahirap pantayan,</em>” Judge Ogie Alcasid noted, expecting to see more of Jhong as the competition goes on. Meanwhile, Judge Sharon Cuneta has always been confident in what Jhong can do. “<em>Triple threat ka na</em>,” she declared.  </p><p>Judge Gary Valenciano gave more depth on the essence of rap, <em>“Ang pagiging isang rapper kasi, hindi dinadala sa boses eh. It’s the character and the swag, which you have</em>.” For him, Jhong did not overdo it and delivered exactly what he was looking for. </p><p>Jhong placed 8th at the end of the season.  </p><div> </div><div><strong>Jarlo Base (YFSF Season 4, 2026) - “The Apl Song”</strong></div><div><iframe width="1052" height="600" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RSfCsA6ccpY" title="Jarlo Base channels Pinoy Pride in a powerful Apl.de.ap performance | Week 24 | YFSF 2026" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>“YFSF” transformed into an Apl.de.Ap tribute as Jarlo Base gave his own flair in “<em>The Apl Song</em>.” The piece, dedicated to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), carries a powerful message of resilience and love for the homeland, making it a song close to Apl himself.  </p><p>Judge Sharon Cuneta remarked that Jarlo continued to amaze her, “<em>This is not your genre, pero ‘yung biglang nag-rap ka, it was a good, good job.</em>” For Judge Ogie Alcasid, it was clear how much Jarlo enjoyed becoming Apl.de.Ap.  </p><p>Judge Erik Santos added, “<em>Para akong nanonood ng regular performance, parang wala ka sa competition, you were comfortable.”</em> He noted that Jarlo seemed at ease impersonating Apl, even though the genre was different from what he usually does. </p><p>On April 5, the Grand Showdown officially begins! Catch the finale round of &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Your Face Sounds Familiar</strong></a>&quot; on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb"><strong>iWant.</strong></a></p>

<p>Five (5) Apl.de.Ap transformations turned the night into full-on party mode through these performances in “Your Face Sounds Familiar.”</p>

Five (5) Apl.de.Ap transformations turned the night into full-on party mode through these performances in “Your Face Sounds Familiar.”