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.

Gusto
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dulo na nang palabas ngunit ayaw pang matapos
Palakpakan tawanan ay 'di nauubos
Umindak sa tugtugin ng bandang mainit
Sumabay sa awiting napakadali

Simple lang ang ating kasunduan
Dapat sana ay iyong malaman

Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga sige na

Sumasabog sa lakas ang sigawan ng tao
Sige ang palakpakan ng mga kamay
Dahil tanggap niyo kami ay ginaganahan
Halina't huwag mahiya at sa amin sumabay

Simple lang ang ating kasunduan
Dapat sana ay iyong malaman

Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga sige na

Na-na-na (na-na-na)
Na-na-na (na-na-na)
Na-na-na (na-na-na)
Na-na-na (na-na-na)

Na-na (na-na)
Na-na (na-na)
Na na (na na)
Na na (na na)

Simple lang ang ating kasunduan
Dapat sana ay inyong malaman na

Kung gusto niyo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto niyo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga

Kung gusto niyo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto niyo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga

Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Gusto mo gusto ko gusto nating lahat sige

Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga

Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga

Sige na
Sige na

Kung gusto niyo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto niyo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga

Kung gusto niyo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Kung gusto niyo sige gusto ko pa
Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga

Sige na
Sige na

Overall Meaning

The song "Gusto" by Apo Hiking Society is a fun and upbeat tune that encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy the moment. The first verse describes a scene where a show or a party is about to end, but the audience still doesn't want it to be over. People are clapping and laughing, and they're all dancing to the music of the hot band playing. The chorus talks about the simple agreement between the singer and the listener - if you want to keep going, I want to keep going too. Let's stay together until morning. The second verse further emphasizes the enjoyment of the moment, with people shouting and applauding, and the band energizing the crowd. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, urging everyone to keep the party going.

The lyrics of "Gusto" are straightforward, with no hidden meanings or complicated metaphors. Instead, the song celebrates a simple pleasure of life - having fun with like-minded people. It's a song about letting loose and enjoying the moment without worrying about tomorrow. The repetition of the chorus drives this point home, making it clear that the singer's only concern is to have a good time with the listener. Overall, "Gusto" is a lighthearted and joyful song that invites the audience to dance, sing along, and forget their worries for a while.

Line by Line Meaning

Dulo na nang palabas ngunit ayaw pang matapos
The show is about to end but no one wants it to stop

Palakpakan tawanan ay 'di nauubos
Applause and laughter are continuous

Umindak sa tugtugin ng bandang mainit
We dance to the hot music of the band

Sumabay sa awiting napakadali
We sing along with the simple song

Simple lang ang ating kasunduan
Our agreement is just simple

Dapat sana ay iyong malaman
You should know that

Kung gusto mo sige gusto ko pa
If you want to, then count me in

Sama-sama tayo hanggang umaga
Let's be together until morning

Sumasabog sa lakas ang sigawan ng tao
People's shouts are getting louder

Sige ang palakpakan ng mga kamay
Hand-clapping continues

Dahil tanggap niyo kami ay ginaganahan
Because you accepted us, we are motivated