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.

Himig Ng Pasko
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Malamig ang simoy ng hangin
Kay saya ng bawa't damdamin
Ang tibok ng puso sa dibdib
Para bang hulog ng langit

Himig ng Pasko'y laganap
Mayroong sigla ang lahat
Wala ang kalungkutan

Lugod sa kasayahan

Himig ng Pasko'y umiiral
Sa loob ng bawat ng tahanan
Masaya ang mga tanawin
May awit ang simoy ng hangin

Himig ng Pasko'y laganap
Mayroong sigla ang lahat
Wala ang kalungkutan
Lugod sa kasayahan

Himig ng Pasko'y umiiral
Sa loob ng bawat ng tahanan

Masaya ang mga tanawin
May awit ang simoy ng hangin

Overall Meaning

The song "Himig Ng Pasko" by the Apo Hiking Society is a classic Christmas song that speaks to the joy and happiness that the Christmas season brings. The opening lines describe the cold breeze and how it brings joy to the hearts of people. The sound of the heartbeat feels like a gift from heaven. The chorus talks about how the spirit of Christmas is everywhere, and it brings happiness to everyone. There is no room for sadness; everyone is happy and joyful.

The second stanza repeats the message of the first, repeating the idea that the spirit of Christmas is present in each home, and everyone is happy. The final lines state that the surroundings are joyful, and even the breeze whispers a song. These lyrics all reflect the Filipino Christmas spirit, which centers not only on religious traditions but also on family celebration and community gatherings.

Overall, this song is a celebration of the joy that comes with the Christmas season, expressing the happiness and warmth that this celebratory time brings. Its popularity has made it a beloved Christmas tune in the Philippines, and it is played in every household and public gathering throughout the holidays.

Line by Line Meaning

Malamig ang simoy ng hangin
The cold breeze blows calmly

Kay saya ng bawa't damdamin
Everyone's heart is filled with joy

Ang tibok ng puso sa dibdib
The heart beats with excitement

Para bang hulog ng langit
As if a heavenly gift has fallen

Himig ng Pasko'y laganap
The sound of Christmas is everywhere

Mayroong sigla ang lahat
Everyone is energetic

Wala ang kalungkutan
There is no sadness

Lugod sa kasayahan
Everyone is delighted

Himig ng Pasko'y umiiral
The sound of Christmas prevails

Sa loob ng bawat ng tahanan
In every household

Masaya ang mga tanawin
The sights are joyful

May awit ang simoy ng hangin
The breeze sings a song

Contributed by Amelia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@MyrnaRocesOrtiz-Tarr-pe4xy

27w↑5

2010 we sang this song, with brethrens, memory that will not come again. Both good and bad , in the end fond memories persisted in my heart. Wish they felt the same way!