On February 4, 2009 it was reported that his younger half-brother, Joven Pineda Deala, was killed in the Philippines.

• Developed a friendship with William Adams (a.k.a. will.i.am) while living in Los Angeles. The two called themselves Atban Klann while trying to break into L.A.'s hip- hop/break-dance circuit. After apl.de.ap and will.i.am joined up with Taboo (a.k.a. Jaime Gomez) they took the name Black Eyed Peas. The group released two albums before bringing Fergie (a.k.a. Stacy Ferguson) for Elephunk. Elephunk was a hit and "Let's Get It Started" scored the group their first Grammy.SF Chronicle: No Matter How Successful He Gets (August 8, 2005)

• Apl.de.ap's step-brother, Joven Deala was shot on the left side of his head on February 4, 2009. Diala inside his parked car around 1 a.m. Deala's girlfriend, Elaine Torres, who was in the car with him when the attack when the attack occurred in Angeles City, Philippines, said did not recognize any of the assailants.GMA News: Murder of Apl.De.Ap's Brother (February 4, 2009) Deala was declared dead by medical officials approximately an hour after he was shot. Deala was the youngest of seven siblings, he and apl.de.ap had the same mother. Apl.de.ap will reportedly attend the wake in the Philippines.People: Brother of Apl.de.ap Is Murdered (February 4, 2009)

• "Coming from the Philippines my whole goal was to support my family and have a better living situation. Trying to pursue my dream took up a lot of my time, and I got separated from my family a little bit ... I was separated from my brothers and sisters. Some good things happened to them and some bad things happened to some of them."—Apl.de.apSF Chronicle: No Matter How Successful He Gets (August 8, 2005)