The Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society , popularly known as Apo Hiking Society or simply Apo , is a Filipino musical group [1] (and contrary to popular belief, the "Apo" in the group's name is not Mount Apo). Formed in 1969, the group was originally composed of 13 members: Lito de Joya, Sonny Santiago, Gus Cosio, Renato Garcia, Chito Kintanar, Kenny Barton, Bruce Brown, Butch Dans, Kinjo Sawada, Ric Segreto, Goff Macaraeg, Doden Besa, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo, all students from the Ateneo de Manila high school. Danny Javier joined the group when they were in college. After they graduated in college, the other group members eventually left the group to pursue their own careers. Only three members [2], made up of Jim Paredes, Boboy Garovillo and Danny Javier, remain and continued performing [3]. During the span of their career, Apo has been one of the primary adherents to the Original Pilipino Music or OPM music movement and have made several contributions for the said movement [4] [5]. The Apo is also involved in record production, talent management and even organizing artists under the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM). The group is also instrumental in establishing careers of new artists in the Philippines. Apo Hiking Society has made 22 record albums in the first three decades of the group's career [6] in the Philippine music industry, and has made a few more through the years. Two tribute albums have also been made, honoring its contribution to OPM music in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The group regularly uses the "Apo" in their name as a Tagalog pun for their albums, shows, and marketing materials - most commonly as nA PO, which means "already" (polite/formal), but also as apó (grandchild) and other possible applications in English (APO calyptic).

APO HIKING SOCIETY TICKETS Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Eagles Tickets Sebastian Maniscalco Tickets Andrea Bocelli Tickets Rod Wave Tickets Jeff Dunham Tickets

History

The APO Hiking Society first gained recognition in 1973 when they gave a farewell concert at the Meralco Auditorium (now Meralco Theater) in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Just out of college, the group was the talk of the Ateneo de Manila University and adjoining campuses for their music and humor.

It was only when two of its four members were about to retire from the field of amateur music, however, that the APO, then known as the Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, finally had a city-wide audience. One of them was scheduled to leave for Turkey as an exchange student. The other had a position waiting for him in his father's advertising firm.

Why a talented young man of 21 would want to go to Turkey, every young man in the early seventies would probably understand. But what the APO could not understand was their fourth member's decision to leave the irresponsibility of being unemployed to join the ranks of the corporate world.

The trip to Turkey did not materialize and the APO, now a tentative trio, pushed on steadily towards fame and fortune.

Looking back, the APO members Danny Javier, Boboy Garrovillo, and Jim Paredes do not regret never having been regular wage earners. Their farewell concert, which had SRO audiences for two stormy nights, not unexpectedly became a hit record the following year.

Achievements

In the three decades since that "farewell" concert, the APO has made 22 record albums; hosted several television shows including their own noontime Sunday show "Sa Linggo nAPO Sila" and noontime show from Monday to Saturday "'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila"; and launched hugely successful major solo concerts and countless provincial, dinner, and corporate shows. They have performed in over 50 cities in the United States, in Canada, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Japan to bring Original Pilipino Music to Filipinos the world over.

In October 1987, during their annual US tour, the APO became the first Filipino pop artists with marco sison to perform at the Main Hall of New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall. They also performed at the equally prestigious Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada's music capital. Both concerts, as well as the other shows held during that particular concert tour, were sold out. The APO were also the first Filipino artists to perform in a public concert in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 1987, they were one of the first Filipino artists to be recorded on compact disc. And in 1994, they were awarded the first Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino by Awit Awards - the Filipino equivalent of the Grammy. They have also been conferred the Tanglaw Ng Lahi Award, the highest accolade given by Jesuits in the field of culture and arts.

The APO also earned international recognition for Jim Paredes' anthem on the bloodless Philippine revolution in 1986. "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo" was recorded by 15 Filipino artists in April 1986. A few months later, the English version "A New and Better Way" was launched in Australia. In February 1987, the first anniversary of the Philippines' People Power revolution, the song was released in London, England. The lyrics of the song are embedded on a wall of Our Lady of Edsa Shrine, the center of the revolution.

In 1998, Legandary OPM group APO and defunct band The Eraserheads teamed up for their first "San Miguel Beer" TV commercial "Homeboys". The concept of reviving and modernizing their originals by rock/alternative bands in the 90's paved the way to two tribute albums by various bands entitled Kami nAPO Muna in 2006 and Kami nAPO Muna Ulit in 2007.

In 2007, the group was awarded as "MYX Magna Award 2007" in the MYX Music Awards 2007 achieving the best of opm pop music and also has an achievements in music and recording in the OPM history.

APO Tribute Albums

Just a few years after their hiatus, the tribute album Kami nAPO Muna!: The Music Of APO Hiking Society was released in honor of the group. The Filipino musical artists who did their own unique renditions of The APO classics includes: Imago, Orange and Lemons, Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Sandwich, Sugarfree, Itchyworms, Sponge Cola, Boldstar, Sound, Drip, Rocksteddy, Top Suzara, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Shamrock, and The Dawn. Their second volume, Kami nAPO muna Ulit has also included their new members in the compilation album are True Faith, Silent Sanctuary, Concrete Sam, Up Dharma Down, Chilitees, The Bloomfields, Scrambled Eggs, The Spaceflower Show, and Hilera.

2008-2009 Reunion

On 20 September 2008, Apo Hiking Society had a reunion concert called "Apo Of The Philippines" which was held at the Araneta Coliseum to celebrate their 39th Anniversary. They sang all of the APO Favorites and all songs from their past releases.

On February 7, 2009, The Apo has recenyly performing live in FTI Complex Open Air in Taguig. The free concert was sponsored in cooperation with the Taguig City hall. The said of a concert is free. Just before the Eraserheads Final Set Concert one month later.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Collector's Item (1975)
• Songwriter (1976)
• Pagkatapos ng Palabas (1978)
• Ten Years Together (1980)
• Twelve Years Together (1982)
• True To My Music (1983)
• Feet On The Ground (1984)
• Direksyon (1986)
• Made in the Philippines (1987)
• Mga Kuwento ng Apo (1990)
• Songbuk ng APO (1991)
• PaskonAPO (1991)
• 1-2-3 (1992)
• Barangay Apo (1994)
• Dating Alternatib (1996)
• Mismo! (1999)
• Banda Rito (2001)
• PaskonAPO Repackaged (Repackaged 2006)
• The Apo: Jim, Buboy and Danny (Their 26th APO Album after 8 years, 2009)

Live Albums

• In Concert#$%!? (Live Album) (1974)
• The Worst of Apo Hiking Society (Live Album) (1985)
• DalawampunAPOsila (Live Album) (1989)

Compilations

• The Best of Apo Hiking Society (1988)
• The Best of Apo Hiking Society, Vol. 2 (1992)
• Kami nAPO muna: 2-Disc Limited Edition (2006)
• Kami nAPO muna ulit: 2-Disc Limited Edition (2007)
• The Best Of Kami nAPO Muna 2-CD (2008)
• APO Hiking Society: 18 Greatest Hits (2009)

Collaborations

• The 2nd Metro Manila Pop Music Fest Album (Vicor Music Corp., 1978)
• Pamasko Ng Mga Bituin (Universal Records, 1981)
• Salubungin Ang Pasko (Universal Records, 1982)
• ''Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo (Universal Records, 1986)
• Ginintuang Diwa ng Pasko (Universal Records, 1989)
• 18 Classic OPM Love Songs (PolyEast Records, 1995)
• ''Sandaan 1898-1998 (Universal Records, 1998)
• The Love Song Collection (Universal Records, 2003)
• Only Selfless Love (Universal Records, 2003)
• OPM Gold (Universal Records, 2005)
• OPM Superstars Christmas (Universal Records, 2005)
• The Best of OPM Love Ballads (Universal Records, 2005)
• The Best of OPM Novelty Hits (Universal Records, 2005)
• OPM Gold Christmas Album (Universal Records, 2006)
• OPM Platinum Christmas (Universal Records, 2007)
• Bongga! The Biggest OPM Retro Hits Of The Year (Universal Records, 2008)
• No. 1 Signature Hits OPM's Best (Vicor Music Corp., 2008)
• Senti 18 Pinoy Love Hits (Vicor Music Corp. & Viva Records, Corp., 2008)
• Pinoy Sound Trip Vol. 1 (Vicor Music Corp. & Viva Records, Corp., 2008)
• Pinoy Sound Trip Vol. 2 (Vicor Music Corp. & Viva Records, Corp., 2008)
• Bongga 2: Another Biggest OPM Retro Hits (Universal Records, 2009)
• Love Knows No Boundaries (Vicor Music Corp. & Viva Records, Corp., 2009)
• No. 1 Signature Hits OPM's Best Vol. 2 (Vicor Music Corp., 2009)

Tribute Albums

• Kami nAPO muna (2006)
• Kami nAPO muna ulit (2007)

Awards

• Myx Magna Award, 2nd Myx Music Awards 2007
• Tanglaw Ng Lahi Award, Jesuits Communications Foundation, Inc. 1994
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Awit Awards
• Finalists, Metro Pop Song Festival 2001
• 2nd Place Winner, Metro Manila Popular Song Festival 1978
• Nominated, Best Male TV Hosts "Sa Linggo NAPO Sila", PMPC Star Awards For TV 1989-1995
• Nominated, Best Male TV Hosts "Sang Linggo NAPO Sila", PMPC Star Awards For TV 1995-1998

Television Shows of APO

• Discorama (GMA 7)
• Islands Gamemasters (IBC 13)
• Sa Linggo nAPO Sila (IBC 13, 1989; ABS-CBN 2, 1989-1995)
• Sang Linggo nAPO Sila (ABS-CBN 2, 1995-1998)

Jim Paredes TV Discography

• Pinoy Dream Academy (ABS-CBN 2)
• Talentadong Pinoy (TV5)

Buboy Garovillo Discography

• Mr. Kupido (ABS-CBN 2, 1989-1992)
• Marimar (GMA 7, 2007)

Danny Javier Discography

• Philippine Idol (TV5, 2006)

Commercial TV Ad of APO

• Cocobank (now UCPB) "Mucho Dinero" Promos
• San Miguel Beer
• *Iba Ang May Pinagsamahan (1986)
• *Shiboom! "w/ Rachel Lobangco" (1989)
• *Homeboys "w/ Eraserheads & Monica Llamas" (1995)
• Shakey's Pizza

Songs

• American Junk (revived by Kamikazee Feat. Parokya Ni Edgar)
• Anna (revived by Top Suzara)
• Awit Ng Barkada (revived by Itchyworms)
• Bakit Ang Babae (revived by Sandwich)
• Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo (Original by Yano)
• Batang-Bata Ka Pa (revived by Sugarfree)
• Bawa't Bata (revived by The Dawn)
• Blue Jeans (revived by Eraserheads, and now revived by Rocksteddy)
• Di Na Natuto (revived by Gary Valenciano, now revived by Sound)
• Doo Bi Doo (revived by Kamikazee)
• Ewan (revived by Imago)
• Hanggang May Pag-Ibig (revived by Chilitees)
• Harana (Original by Parokya Ni Edgar)
• Heto Na (revived by Concrete Sam)
• Isang Dangkal (revived by Paramita)
• Just A Smile Away (revived by Gino Padilla, now revived by Shamrock)
• Kabilugan Ng Buwan (revived by Drip)
• Kaibigan (revived by UpDharmaDown)
• Kisapmata (original by Rivermaya)
• Kumot At Unan (revived by Boldstar Band, now Richard Poon)
• Love Is For Singing (revived by The Bloomfields)
• Lumang Tugtugin
• Magasin (Original by The Eraserheads, now Paolo Santos)
• Mahirap Magmahal Ng Syota Ng Iba (revived by Hilera)
• Nakapagtataka (revived by Hadji Alenjandro, then revived by Rachel Alejandro, then MYMP & now Sponge Cola)
• Paano (revived by Shamrock)
• Pag-Ibig (revived by Kitchie Nadal)
• Pagsubok (Original by Orient Pearl)
• Panalangin (revived by Moonstar88)
• Pare Ko (Original by The Eraserheads, now revived by Sponge Cola)
• Princesa (revived by Itchyworms)
• Pumapatak Ang Ulan (revived by Eraserheads, now Parokya Ni Edgar)
• Saan Na Nga Ba'ng Barkada (revived by Sponge Cola)
• Salawikain (revived by Mcoy Fundales Feat. Spaceflower Show)
• Show Me A Smile (revived by Imago)
• Suntok Sa Buwan (revived by Ely Buendia, now revived by Scrambled Eggs)
• Syotang Pa-Class (revived by Radioactive Sago Project)
• Tuloy Ang Ikot Ng Mundo (revived by Dicta License)
• Tuyo Na'ng Damdamin (revived by Silent Sanctuary)
• Wala Nang Hahanapin Pa (revived by True Faith)
• When I Met You (revived by Jeffrey Hidalgo, then Martin Nievera, then Barbie Almalbis & now KC Concepcion)
• Yakap Sa Dilim (revived by Orange & Lemons, now revived by Brownman Revival)

Trivia

• APO and The Eraserheads were in a San Miguel Beer TV commercial, "Homeboys".
• The group won as "Myx Magna Award" in the Myx Music Awards 2007, has an achievements in music and recording in the OPM history.
• Danny Javier has a t-shirt business called "Pidro" Shirts.
• Jim Paredes is a photographer by hobby.
• Danny Javier is the oldest member of APO, while Buboy Garovillo is the youngest member of the group.
• The group performed for the first time for a concert at the Araneta Coliseum last September 20, 2008.
• Gary V. sang and revived "Di Na Natuto".

References

1. Apo Hiking Society After 34 Years: It's Still A New Day
2. Apo Hiking Society at Crossroad 77
3. Apo Hiking Society History: Three Decades of APO
4. Classic APO hits by contemporary acts in tribute concert
5. Promoting Original Pilipino Music
6. Apo Hiking Society on Online Registry of Filipino Musical Artists and Their Works