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.
Mamahalin Mo Pa Kaya Ako
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kasama na rin ang maiinit mong yakap
Walang nagdududang ako ay mahal mo
Sa bawat tibok ng puso kong ito
Pag-iisip ko'y nakatutok lang sa 'yo
Walang nagdududang ikaw lang ang mahal ko
Mamahalin mo pa ba ako kung pakakasalan kita
Mamahalin mo pa ba ako kung ibibigay ko na ang lahat
Kung handa ka nang tanggapin ang tinatanong ko'y sagutin
Sagutin ang nararapat sagutin mo na lang ako ng tapat
Sinasabi mong ako lang ang nasa puso
Wala nang iba ang nais mong makasuyo
Ika'y nakatitiyak na ako ang mahal mo
Ngunit kailangan kong gawin na ikaw ay tanungin
Mamahalin mo pa ba ako kung pakakasalan kita
Mamahalin mo pa ba ako kung ibibigay ko na ang lahat
Kung handa ka nang tanggapin ang tinatanong ko'y sagutin (kung handa kana sagutin mo na)
Sagutin ang nararapat sagutin mo na lang ako ng tapat
The song "Mamahalin Mo Pa Kaya Ako" by Apo Hiking Society tells the story of a person who is in love with someone else and wonders if that person will continue to love them once they get married and give everything they have. The lyrics convey the fear, insecurity, and vulnerability the person feels as they ask this important question to their loved one. The song exhibits the raw emotion and genuine concern that a person goes through when thinking about committing to someone and wondering if their love is truly unconditional.
The first stanza conveys the deep affection and love the person feels towards their partner. They feel loved and appreciated, as evidenced by the kisses and warm hugs they receive. They are confident that their partner loves them, but despite their love, they still need to ask if that love will continue once they give everything they have, including their time, money, and commitment. The second stanza expresses the same emotions but this time from the partner's perspective, showing that their partner also feels the same way towards them. However, both parties still need to ask the question, "will you still love me if I give my all?"
In conclusion, “Mamahalin Mo Pa Kaya Ako” is a powerful song that explores the complex emotions involved in committing to someone and realizing that unconditional love is truly what sustains relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Sa bawat halik na aking natatanggap
With every kiss that I receive from you
Kasama na rin ang maiinit mong yakap
Accompanied by your warm embraces
Walang nagdududang ako ay mahal mo
There is no doubt that you love me
Sa bawat tibok ng puso kong ito
With every beat of my heart
Pag-iisip ko'y nakatutok lang sa 'yo
My thoughts are only focused on you
Walang nagdududang ikaw lang ang mahal ko
There is no doubt that you are the only one I love
Ngunit kailangan kong gawin na ikaw ay tanungin
But I need to ask you
Mamahalin mo pa ba ako kung pakakasalan kita
Will you still love me if I marry you?
Mamahalin mo pa ba ako kung ibibigay ko na ang lahat
Will you still love me if I give everything up?
Kung handa ka nang tanggapin ang tinatanong ko'y sagutin
If you are ready to answer my question
Sagutin ang nararapat sagutin mo na lang ako ng tapat
Answer truthfully what needs to be answered
Sinasabi mong ako lang ang nasa puso
You say that I am the only one in your heart
Wala nang iba ang nais mong makasuyo
You want no one else to be with
Ika'y nakatitiyak na ako ang mahal mo
You are sure that you love me
Ngunit kailangan kong gawin na ikaw ay tanungin
But I need to ask you
Mamahalin mo pa ba ako kung pakakasalan kita
Will you still love me if I marry you?
Mamahalin mo pa ba ako kung ibibigay ko na ang lahat
Will you still love me if I give everything up?
Kung handa ka nang tanggapin ang tinatanong ko'y sagutin (kung handa kana sagutin mo na)
If you are ready to answer my question (if you are ready, answer me)
Sagutin ang nararapat sagutin mo na lang ako ng tapat
Answer truthfully what needs to be answered
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bernadette Arcena-Jacinto
on Blue Jeans
a sa on sa ondai.