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.
Harana
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Marahil ika’y nagtataka
Sino ba ‘tong mukhang gago?
Nagkandarapa sa pagkanta
At nasisintunado sa kaba
Mayro’n pang dalang mga rosas
Suot nama’y maong na kupas
Na nakaporma’t naka-barong
Sa awit na daig pang minus-one at sing-a-long
Puno ang langit ng bituin
At kay lamig pa ng hangin
Sa iyong tingin ako’y nababaliw, giliw
At sa awitin kong ito
Sana’y maibigan mo
Ibubuhos ko ang buong puso ko
Sa isang munting harana para sa ‘yo
‘Di ba’t parang isang sine
Isang pelikulang romantiko
At ikaw ang bidang artista
At ako nama’y leading man
Sa istoryang nagwawakas
Sa pag-ibig na wagas
Puno ang langit ng bituin
At kay lamig pa ng hangin
Sa iyong tingin ako’y nababaliw, giliw
At sa awitin kong ito
Sana’y maibigan mo
Ibubuhos ko ang buong puso ko
Sa isang munting harana para sa ‘yo
Uso pa ba ang harana?
Marahil ngayon ay alam mo na
Basta’t para sa ‘yo aking hirang
Kahit na magmukhang hibang
Tutupdin ang lahat, liyag
Pagka’t ako’y ‘yong bihag
At mahal kita, sinta
The song "Harana" by Apo Hiking Society brings us back to a time when harana, a traditional form of courtship, was still practiced. The first stanza opens with questions about the relevance of harana in the present era. The singer, who looks like a fool, stumbles in singing due to nervousness. Despite his awkwardness, he presses on with the act, offering roses and singing a familiar song accompanied by his friends, all finely dressed for the night. The chorus relates the moment to starry skies and cold wind, with the singer hoping the recipient will like his music and that he will be able to convey his emotions through the performance.
The second verse is an extension of the first, following through with the practice, comparing it to a romantic movie, where the singer is the lead man and the recipient is the lead actress. The climax of the performance concludes the romantic storyline, and the harana ends with the singer proclaiming his love for the recipient. The chorus returns, reaffirming the scene's ambiance as a romantic moment, with the singer expressing his sincerity to the recipient, even if it makes him look foolish in the process.
Overall, "Harana" is a song that reminisces about a seemingly forgotten and dying tradition of Filipino courtship. The practice, although traditional, speaks volumes of the Filipino culture's method of love and affection. The song reminds us of the importance of sincerity, heartfelt gestures, and, most importantly, the willingness to take risks in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Uso pa ba ang harana?
Is serenading still in style?
Marahil ika’y nagtataka
Perhaps you’re wondering
Sino ba ‘tong mukhang gago?
Who’s this fool-looking guy?
Nagkandarapa sa pagkanta
Struggling to sing
At nasisintunado sa kaba
And singing off-key due to nervousness
Mayro’n pang dalang mga rosas
Brings along some roses
Suot nama’y maong na kupas
Wearing faded jeans
Kasama pa niya ang barkada
Accompanied by his buddies
Na nakaporma’t naka-barong
Dressed up in barong
Sa awit na daig pang minus-one at sing-a-long
Singing better than minus-one tracks and karaoke
Puno ang langit ng bituin
The sky is full of stars
At kay lamig pa ng hangin
And the wind is so cold
Sa iyong tingin ako’y nababaliw, giliw
In your eyes, I’m going crazy, my dear
At sa awitin kong ito
And in this song of mine
Sana’y maibigan mo
I hope you’ll like it
Ibubuhos ko ang buong puso ko
I’ll pour my heart out
Sa isang munting harana para sa ‘yo
In this simple serenade for you
‘Di ba’t parang isang sine
Isn’t it just like a movie
Isang pelikulang romantiko
A romantic film
At ikaw ang bidang artista
And you’re the lead actress
At ako nama’y leading man
And I’m the leading man
Sa istoryang nagwawakas
In a story that ends
Sa pag-ibig na wagas
In a pure love
Uso pa ba ang harana?
Is serenading still in style?
Marahil ngayon ay alam mo na
Perhaps now you already know
Basta’t para sa ‘yo aking hirang
As long as it's for you, my chosen one
Kahit na magmukhang hibang
Even if I look crazy
Tutupdin ang lahat, liyag
I will do everything, beloved
Pagka’t ako’y ‘yong bihag
Because I am captivated by you
At mahal kita, sinta
And I love you, my love
Contributed by Liliana J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Richard Reynoso
I was blessed to be given an opportunity to do a production number with them at PWU. Right there and then I knew I was in the presence of greatness. Thank you so much, APO at mabuhay ang OPM!
Jim Paredes
Salamat Richard
Marc Edward De Guzman
Richard Reynoso ASOP fan here :) ganda ng songs very inspiring
Nd Casten
Whenever I hear any of your songs, I always "go home". Thank you!
Jim Paredes
Salamat
Kevin Gallardo
Can't believe I'm saying this but mala boyband ang dating. RESPECT TO APO!!!!
Arin
Love it
Vicki Sheard
I miss Apo Hiking Society…love your music…always…♥️ thank you 🥰 …from Canberra Australia…first cousin ako ng friend ninyo..Ito de Jesus…😊🙃🤟
Jim Paredes
Thank you 😊
erwin
Galing pa rin ng APO. I just realized na itong original na song ng Parokya may pagka- APO ang sound.