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.
O Mahal Ko
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ito'y pangako ko sa iyo, paniwalaan mo ako
Sa sinasabi kong ito, oh, mahal ko
Ang buhay ko, inaalay ko sa 'yo
Ang lahat ng ibig mo, siyang sisikapin ko
Nang ito'y magkatotoo, oh, mahal ko
Ang nais kong bigyan ng lubos na kasiyahan
Pagkat pangarap ko'y makapiling ka ng magpakailanman
Ang buhay ko, inaalay ko sa 'yo
Ang lahat ng ibig mo, siyang sisikapin ko
Nang ito'y magkatotoo, oh, mahal ko
Ikaw lamang (Ikaw lamang)
Ang nais kong bigyan ng lubos na kasiyahan
Pagkat pangarap ko'y makapiling ka ng magpakailanman
Oh, mahal ko
Pag-ibig ko, ang buhay ko
Ang ibig mo, paniwalaan mo
Oh, mahal ko
Oh, mahal ko
The song "O Mahal Ko" by Apo Hiking Society is a declaration of love, commitment, and devotion to a special someone. The first stanza expresses that the singer's heart will never change and promises everlasting dedication to the person they love. The second stanza affirms that the singer's life will be devoted to fulfilling the desires and aspirations of their loved one. They will strive to achieve everything their loved one desires, and once those dreams are realized, they will have an eternal life together. The chorus repeats these sentiments, emphasizing how the singer's love is all-encompassing and that they desire to bring complete happiness to their loved one. The final stanza reinforces the dedication to love and promises that the singer's love and life are completely devoted to their loved one.
The lyrics encapsulate the essence of true love, highlighting the importance of devotion and sacrifice in a relationship. The song essentially speaks about how love is not just an emotion, but a way of life. The lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced the sort of all-consuming love that the song speaks about.
Line by Line Meaning
Ang puso ko, hinding-hindi magbabago
My heart will never change, this is my promise to you, believe me. Oh, my love.
Ang buhay ko, inaalay ko sa 'yo
I offer my life to you, I will strive for everything you desire, until it comes true. Oh, my love.
Ang lahat ng ibig mo, siyang sisikapin ko
I will work hard for everything you want. Oh, my love.
Nang ito'y magkatotoo, oh, mahal ko
Until everything you wish for comes true. Oh, my love.
Ikaw lamang (Ikaw lamang)
Only you (only you)
Ang nais kong bigyan ng lubos na kasiyahan
The one I want to give complete joy to.
Pagkat pangarap ko'y makapiling ka ng magpakailanman
Because my dream is to be with you forever.
Pag-ibig ko, ang buhay ko
My love is my life.
Ang ibig mo, paniwalaan mo
Believe me when I say I want what you want.
Oh, mahal ko
Oh, my love.
Writer(s): Boboy Garrovillo
Contributed by Elliot H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bernadette Arcena-Jacinto
on Blue Jeans
a sa on sa ondai.