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.
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 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 of 1987, during their annual US tour, the APO became the first Filipino pop artists 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.
Animal Song
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A television freak show cops and robbers everywhere
Subway makes me nervous, people pushing me too far
I've got to break away
So take my hand now
'Cause I want to live like animals
Careless and free like animals
I want to live
I want to run through the jungle
The wind in my hair and the sand at my feet
I've been having difficulties keeping to myself
Feelings and emotions better left up on the shelf
Animals and children tell the truth, they never lie
Which one is more human
There's a thought, now you decide
Compassion in the jungle
Compassion in your hands, yeah
Would you like to make a run for it
Would you like to take my hand, yeah
Sometimes this life can get you down
It's so confusing
There's so many rules to follow
And I feel it
'Cause I just run away in my mind
Superstars and cannonballs running through your head
Television freak show cops and robbers everywhere
Animals and children tell the truth, they never lie
Which one is more human
There's a thought, now you decide
Compassion in the jungle
Compassion in your hands, yeah
Would you like to make a run for it
Would you like to take my hand, yeah
The song "Animal Song" by Apo Hiking Society is about wanting to escape from the complexities of society and yearning for a more carefree life. The lyrics describe how the chaos and noise of modern life can be overwhelming, and how the singer wants to break free from it and live like animals. The theme of the song resonates with the idea that animals live in a world without the pressures of human society, and so they are free to live in the moment.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the idea that animals and children are honest and truthful, and wonders which one is more human. This raises the question of human behavior and how we can learn from animals and embrace compassion, which can be seen as a critique of modern society. The lyrics "compassion in the jungle, compassion in your hands" suggest that we can find compassion if we break free from the rigidity of societal norms and embrace a simpler way of life.
Overall, "Animal Song" is a metaphorical song about breaking free from societal pressures and living with more freedom and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
When superstars and cannonballs are running through your head
When you're overwhelmed by images of fame and glory, and your head is spinning with the chaos of life.
A television freak show cops and robbers everywhere
You're bombarded by images of violence and drama, like you're watching a non-stop TV show.
Subway makes me nervous, people pushing me too far
Crowds make you anxious, and you feel like you're being pushed too hard.
I've got to break away
You need to escape from the chaos and confusion of day to day life.
So take my hand now
You're reaching out to someone for help and support.
'Cause I want to live like animals
You want to live like creatures who are carefree, wild and free.
Careless and free like animals
You want to live without worrying about the consequences.
I want to live
You yearn for a simpler, more authentic way of living.
I want to run through the jungle
You want to feel a sense of danger and adventure in your life.
The wind in my hair and the sand at my feet
You want to feel a connection with nature, to be unburdened and free.
I've been having difficulties keeping to myself
You've been struggling to keep your feelings and emotions hidden.
Feelings and emotions better left up on the shelf
You think it's better to keep your emotions to yourself.
Animals and children tell the truth, they never lie
You believe that animals and children are more honest and true than adults.
Which one is more human
You're questioning what it means to be truly human.
There's a thought, now you decide
You're leaving it up to the listener to decide what that means for themselves.
Compassion in the jungle
You're suggesting that compassion is needed in both wild and civilized environments.
Compassion in your hands, yeah
You're implying that it's up to the individual to show compassion.
Would you like to make a run for it
You're inviting the listener to join you in your quest for freedom.
Would you like to take my hand, yeah
You're offering to guide them along the way.
Sometimes this life can get you down
You're acknowledging that life can be overwhelming and difficult.
It's so confusing
You're recognizing that people often feel lost and uncertain.
There's so many rules to follow
You feel constricted by the expectations and norms of society.
And I feel it
You're emphasizing the personal nature of your experience.
Cause I just run away in my mind
You admit that you often use your imagination to escape reality.
Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bernadette Arcena-Jacinto
on Blue Jeans
a sa on sa ondai.