APO Hiking Society

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigationJump to search

Apo Hiking Society

Origin Quezon City, Philippines

 Manila sound
Genres
 OPM

Years active 1969–2010

Labels Vicor Music

Universal Records

Thirdline Incorporated[1]

Past members John Paul Micayabas

Kenny Barton

Doden Besa

Bruce Brown

Gus Cosio

Butch Dans

Renato Garcia

Boboy Garovillo

Danny Javier

Lito de Joya

Chito Kintanar

Goff Macaraeg

Jim Paredes

Sonny Santiago

Kinjo Sawada

Ric Segreto

Website www.apohikingsociety.org

The Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, later popularly known as APO Hiking Society,
or simply APO, was a Filipino musical group.[2] The group had its fledgling beginnings in
1969 at the Ateneo de Manila high school, with 15 members:[2] John Paul Micayabas,
Lito de Joya, Sonny Santiago, Gus Cosio, Renato Garcia, Chito Kintanar, Kenny
Barton, Bruce Brown, Butch Dans, Kinjo Sawada, Ric Segreto Macaraeg, Goff
Macaraeg, Doden Besa, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garovillo. The group's name was
created from the acronym AMHS representing their school with a witty twist having an
irreverent reference to the Philippine revolutionary intellectual and hero, Apolinario
Mabini, and later shortened to "Apo", an Ilocano term for a wise man or a Tagalog term
of grandchildren, and later re-branded to "APO" (all caps). Contrary to popular belief,
the "Apo" name was not a reference to the Philippines's highest peak, the potentially-
active stratovolcano Mount Apo.
As the students advanced into college, Danny Javier joined the group. After graduation,
the majority of its members left to pursue individual careers, with only three members
remaining,[3] made up of Jim Paredes, Boboy Garovillo and Danny Javier. [4]
In the span of their professional career, Apo emerged as a principal adherent of the
musical movement termed Original Pilipino Music (a.k.a. OPM), a milieu in which their
original musical contributions and cultural influence became essential. [3][5][6] The Apo
became involved in record production, talent management and organizing artists under
the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (O.P.M., acronym translation: "Organization of
Philippine Singers/musicians"). The group expanded its activities into establishing and
furthering the careers of new OPM artists in the Philippines.[6]
To date, the group has released 27 albums in four decades of its career. [7] Two hugely
successful tribute albums were produced in 2006 and 2007 by its management group,
featuring numerous young bands freshly reinterpreting Apo's expansive repertoire.
The group frequently utilized their brand name, "Apo," as a clever component
for Tagalog puns in titles for television shows, live programs and marketing materials,
for example, as in nA PO, which transliterates as "already" (polite/formal usage), and
also as apó (meaning, "grandchild"). The puns have been minimally extended into
English, as in (APOcalyptic).[citation needed]

Contents

 1History
 2Achievements
 3APO Tribute albums
 42008-2009 reunion
 52010 retirement
 6Post APO Hiking Society
 7Film Musical
 8Discography
o 8.1Studio albums
o 8.2Live albums
o 8.3Compilations
o 8.4Collaborations
o 8.5Tribute Albums
o 8.6Songs
 8.6.1Original Christmas songs
 9Filmography
 o 9.1Films of APO
o 9.2Television Shows of APO
 10APO TV Specials
 11Awards and nominations
 12Trivia
 13Commercials By APO
 14References
 15External links

History[edit]
The Name "Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society" was meant to be deliberately ironic since
the historical figure, Apolinario Mabini, famously lost the use of his legs to polio.[8]
The Apo Hiking Society first gained recognition in 1973 when they gave a farewell
concert at the Meralco Theater in Pasig, 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 citywide 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.
The trip to Turkey did not materialize and the APO, now a tentative trio, pushed on
steadily towards fame and fortune.
In late 1978, APO Hiking Society nearly disbanded after Jim Paredes stormed out of a
songwriting session. While asking Danny Javier for a 3 syllable word to fill in a line, he
was provided the word "katapusan"; a 4 syllable word. The error went unnoticed until
post-recording, where an irate Paredes noticed that the word had indeed one extra
syllable more than what he had originally intended.
Looking back, the APO members Danny Javier and Boboy Garrovillo 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[edit]
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,
Canada, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Japan to bring Original
Pilipino Music to Filipinos.
In 1978, APO won 2nd Place winner in the Metro Manila Popular Song Festival (now
MetroPop Song Festival from 1996 to 2003) for their runner-up song Ewan. The song
was composed by Louie Ocampo.
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 and the other shows held during that particular concert tour
were sold out. The APO was also the first Filipino artists to perform in a public concert in
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 "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 song's lyrics are embedded on Our Lady of Edsa Shrine's wall, the center of the
revolution.
In 1998, Legendary OPM group APO and defunct band 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 1990s paved the way to two
tribute albums by various bands entitled Kami nAPO Muna in 2006 and Kami nAPO
Muna Ulit in 2007.
In 1999, APO was also a finalist at MetroPop Song Festival for their song finalist Dito
Sa Kanto. The song was composed by Noel Cabangon, then Cabangon covered his
version in 1999, then re-recorded a duet with Parokya Ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda
in 2013 again.
In 2007, Jacee with the group was awarded as "MYX Magna Award 2007" in the MYX
Music Awards 2007, achieving the best OPM pop music and his music and recording
achievements in OPM history.
In 2009, APO was finally inducted to the Philippines Eastwood City Walk Of Fame,
contributing their singing, hosting, and acting skills.

APO Tribute albums[edit]

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.
Acoustic Balladeer Noel Cabangon also had a new tribute album to the Pinoy pop
musical group, Throwback: Ang Songbook Ng APO was launched in 2014 with features
with his cover versions of popular various APO songs in his new album released by
Universal Records.

2008-2009 reunion[edit]
On 20 September 2008, the 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 performed in the Open Air FTI Complex in Taguig. The
free concert was sponsored in cooperation with Taguig City Hall. One month later, the
Eraserheads had their Final Set Concert.
On November 17, 2009, the Apo Hiking Society marked their 40th anniversary with a
big concert at the SM North EDSA Skydome. It was called "APO Kayang-Kaya Pa".
This was originally scheduled on September 26 but was rescheduled due to
the Typhoon "Ondoy" ("Ketsana").

2010 retirement[edit]
Last December 16, 2009, the APO Hiking Society announced that they are already
retiring as a group due to the "diminishing creative process." They performed a series of
shows that started on February 14, 2010, and ended in May, just in time for the
elections.[9] They also reunited for the last time to perform in the Inauguration of
President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III last June 30, 2010.

Post APO Hiking Society[edit]

After APO retired from singing, its members remained active in show business and are
still performing:
Jim Paredes is still active in singing and is also a photography hobbyist. He is also a
political activist.
Boboy Garovillo now has a career acting in both movie and television.
Danny Javier continues to own Pidro: Ang Saplot Ng Bayan T-shirts and recently
starred in Bangis on TV5 in 2010 as well as appeared in Season 3 of ASOP: A Song Of
Praise Music Festival in 2014 as a guest judge. As of 2018, Danny is retired from both
singing and acting.

Film Musical[edit]
In 2012, a movie musical based on APO songs was released. Titled I Doo Bidoobidoo, it
was released on August 29. The movie was inspired by Mamma Mia, a musical that
was based on and used ABBA songs, which later became a movie.

Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
 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 (1988)
 Songbuk ng APO (1991)
 PaskonAPO (1991)
 1-2-3 (1992)
 Barangay Apo (1994)
 Dating Alternatib (1996)
 Mismo! (1999)
 Banda Rito (2001)
 PaskonAPO Repackaged (Repackaged & Digitally Remastered 2006)
 The Apo: Jim, Buboy and Danny (Their 26th APO Album after 8 years, 2009)
Live albums[edit]
 In Concert#$%!? (Live Album) (1974)
 The Worst of Apo Hiking Society (Live Album) (1985)
 DalawampunAPOsila (Live Album) (1989)
Compilations[edit]
 The Best of Apo Hiking Society, Vol. 1 (1982)
 The Best of Apo Hiking Society, Vol. 2 (1991)
 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)
 Kami nAPO Naman Dito Sa Canada Limited Edition (2009)
Collaborations[edit]
  The 2nd Metro Manila Pop Music Fest Album (Vicor Music Corp., 1978)
 Pamasko Ng Mga Bituin (Universal Records, 1981)
 Salubungin Ang Pasko (Universal Records, 1986)
 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)
 6th Metropop Song Festival The Album (GMA Records, 2001)
 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. & Viva Records
Corp., 2009)
 Paalam, Maraming Salamat Pres. Aquino: A Memorial Tribute
Soundtrack (Star Music, 2009)
 The Best Of Manila Sound Vol. 1 (Vicor Music Corp., 2010)
 The Best Of Manila Sound Vol. 2 (Vicor Music Corp., 2010)
 OPM All-Star Christmas (Universal Records, 2010)
Tribute Albums[edit]
 Kami nAPO muna (2006)
 Kami nAPO muna ulit (2007)
 Kami nAPO Naman Dito Sa Canada (2009)
 Noel Cabangon "Throwback: Ang Songbuk ng APO" (2014)
Songs[edit]
 "American Junk" (covered by Kamikazee feat. Parokya Ni Edgar)
 "Anna" (covered by Top Suzara)
 "Awit ng Barkada" (covered by Itchyworms, now covered by Noel Cabangon)
 "Bakit ang Babae" (1976, re released in 1991 for The Best Of APO
Compilation Album, covered by Sandwich)
 "Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo" (original by Yano)
 "Batang-Bata Ka Pa" (covered by Sugarfree, now covered by Noel
Cabangon)
 "Bawat Bata" (covered by The Dawn, also used by Sugarfree as a jingle ad
for AlactaGrow)
 "Blue Jeans" (covered by Wise Guys, then Eraserheads, and then by
Rocksteddy)
 "Dito Sa Kanto" (a song finalists at the 1999 Metropop Song Festival,
originally composed by Noel Cabangon, covered by Noel Cabangon & re-
recorded by Noel Cabangon Feat. Chito Miranda)
 "Di na Natuto" (1987) (original by Gary Valenciano, originally composed by
Danny Javier & covered by APO, then Sound, and then by Noel Cabangon)
 "Doo Bi Doo" (covered by Kamikazee, now covered by Ogie Alcasid was
used in a soundtrack I Doo Bidoo Bidoo)
 "Ewan" (a song won as 2nd place at the 1978 Metropop Song Festival,
covered by Imago, now covered by Daniel Padilla)
 "Hanggang May Pag-Ibig" (covered by Chilitees)
 "Harana" (written by Eric Yaptangco, originally done by Tony Lambino,
covered by Parokya Ni Edgar, also covered by Regine Velasquez, and now
covered by The Company)
 "Heto Na" (covered by Concrete Sam)
 "Isang Dangkal" (covered by Paramita)
 "Just a Smile Away" (original by Jaime Gatchitorena, originally composed by
Danny Javier & covered by APO, and then by Shamrock, now covered by
MYMP)
 "Kabilugan ng Buwan" (covered by Drip, now covered by Noel Cabangon)
 "Kaibigan" (covered by Up Dharma Down, now covered by Noel Cabangon)
 "Kisapmata" (original by Rivermaya, covered by Yasmien Kurdi, Charice
Pempengco (now Jake Zyrus) and by Daniel Padilla)
 "Kumot at Unan" (covered by Boldstar Band, and then by Richard Poon, now
covered by Noel Cabangon)
 "Love Is for Singing" (covered by The Bloomfields)
 "Lumang Tugtugin" (now covered by Noel Cabangon)
 "Magasin" (original by Eraserheads, covered by Paolo Santos then by Yeng
Constantino, now covered by Chicosci)
 "Magkikita Rin Tayo"
 "Mamang Kutsero" (Original by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab)
 "Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba" (covered by Hilera, then by KZ
Tandingan now covered by Yeng Constantino)
 "Minamahal Kong Pilipinas"
 "Nakapagtataka" (original by Hadji Alejandro, then covered by Susan
Fuentes, then by Rachel Alejandro, and then by MYMP and by Sponge Cola,
and now covered by Noel Cabangon)
  "Paano" (covered by Shamrock, now covered by Gary Valenciano used in a
movie soundtrack I Do Bidoo Bidoo)
 "Pag-Ibig" (covered by Kitchie Nadal, then by Noel Cabangon, also used
by Regine Velasquez as a jingle ad for Nestlé, now covered by Noel
Cabangon)
 "Paglisan (original by Color It Red)
 "Pagsubok" (original by Orient Pearl, now covered by Aiza Seguerra)
 "Panalangin" (covered by Moonstar88, then by Richard Poon, then by Daniel
Padilla, now covered by Noel Cabangon)
 "Pare Ko" (original by Eraserheads, covered by Sponge Cola, now covered
by Johnoy Danao)
 "Prinsesa" (covered by Itchyworms)
 "Pumapatak ang Ulan" (covered by Eraserheads, then by Parokya Ni Edgar,
now covered by Noel Cabangon)
 "Saan Na Nga Ba'ng Barkada" (covered by Sponge Cola)
 "Salawikain" (covered by Mcoy Fundales feat. Spaceflower Show)
 "Show Me a Smile" (1976, covered by Imago, now covered by Noel
Cabangon, TNT Boys and Sharon Cuneta)
 "Softly" (Debut single in 1975, re-released in 1991 for "The Best Of APO Vol.
2)
 "Suntok sa Buwan" (covered by Ely Buendia, then by Scrambled Eggs)
 "Syotang Pa-Class" (covered by Radioactive Sago Project)
 "Tuloy ang Ikot ng Mundo" (covered by Dicta License)
 "Tuyo Na'ng Damdamin" (covered by Eraserheads, then by Silent Sanctuary,
now covered by Noel Cabangon)
 "Wala Nang Hahanapin Pa" (covered by True Faith)
 "When I Met You" (covered by Jeffrey Hidalgo, then by Martin Nievera, then
by Barbie Almalbis, and then by KC Concepcion for the movie of the same
name)
 "Yakap Sa Dilim" (covered by Rico J. Puno, then by Orange & Lemons, then
by Brownman Revival, now covered by Noel Cabangon)
Original Christmas songs[edit]

 "12 Days of Pinoy Christmas" (the Filipino version of the Christmas song 12
Days of Christmas)
 "Ang Pasko"
 "Himig Ng Pasko (original by The New Minstrels)
 "Lata Ang Aming Tambol"
 "Pasko Na Sinta Ko/Miss Kita Kung Christmas (originally song by Gary
Valenciano and Susan Fuentes)
 "Tuloy na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko (covered by Orange & Lemons for the
2006 ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID, and Ben&Ben in 2021[10])
 "Pasko Na Sa Mundo"