The APO HIKING SOCIETY first gained recognition in 1973 when they gave a fa… Read Full Bio ↴The APO HIKING SOCIETY first gained recognition in 1973 when they gave a farewell concert at the plush Meralco Auditorium in Metro Manila. Just out of college, the group was the talk of the Ateneo 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.

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.

Anna
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I long to tell you
How much I need you
If I can find the words to say
I never have to feel this way
Not knowing just what to do when I'm with you

My friends they tell me
That I shouldn't hurry

Everything keeps goin' strong
'Coz you keep it going on
Though i have to say how much I love you

(chorus)
Oh Anna can't you tell and see
What you're doing to me
Oh Anna this feeling I just can't hide
Keeps driving me wild
Oh Anna I need you here with me
I wish you could be
Oh Anna won't you stay with me

Your eyes, they look through me
Your smile they fools me
I never thought I'd love again
But this time I hope it never ends
I have to let you know
I love you

(repeat chorus 2x)

Oh… Anna

(repeat chorus to fade)

Overall Meaning

The song Anna by Apo Hiking Society is a ballad about a love that the singer cannot express to Anna, the person they love. The song speaks about the singer's desire to tell Anna how much they need her, but always failing to find the right words to express their emotions. The singer is seen struggling to deal with their emotions when they are around Anna, not knowing what to do or say. The song talks about the singer's friends telling them not to hurry up in expressing their feelings to Anna.

The chorus of the song speaks about how Anna's presence drives the singer wild and they cannot hide their feelings for her. The singer desperately needs Anna to stay with them and wishes for her to feel the same way. The song's lyrics convey the feeling of someone who is deeply in love with someone but cannot express it fully. The song culminates in a repeated plea to Anna to stay with the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

I long to tell you
I have a strong desire to express my feelings to you

How much I need you
You're an essential part of my life that I can't function without

If I can find the words to say
If I can articulate my emotions correctly

I never have to feel this way
I won't have to suffer in silence anymore

Not knowing just what to do when I'm with you
I feel lost and uncertain when I'm around you

My friends they tell me
People in my circle advise me

That I shouldn't hurry
I should be patient and not rush things

Everything keeps goin' strong
Life goes on smoothly

'Coz you keep it going on
Because of your presence and positive influence

Though I have to say how much I love you
Regardless, I can't help but express my love for you

Oh Anna can't you tell and see
Anna, can't you perceive and understand