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.
Sa Bawat Umaga
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alalahaning hiram lang ang buhay
Ang bawat sandaling sa iyo'y lumilipas
Gawain o isip, mga tula't awitin
Ay laging bigyan ng saysay
Sa bawat lansangan na ibig mong tahakin
Hanapan ng dulong pupuntahan
Kanan o kaliwa, sana'y iyong isipin
Kung bakit naglalakbay?
'Pag iyong nakalimutan ang iyong pinanggalingan
Ang nais maabot ay lumalayong tuluyan
Mata'y nasisilawan, budhi'y nakukulayan
Naliligaw kung saan-saan
Sa bawat hangaring iyong ipinaglalaban
Isipin ang mundo'y para sa lahat
Sa bawat sandaling ikaw ay umibig
Puso'y nasasagi, hapdi'y 'di mapawi
Bawat puso'y may sariling pintig
'Pag iyong nakalimutan ang iyong pinanggalingan
Ang nais maabot ay lumalayong tuluyan
Mata'y nasisilawan, budhi'y nakukulayan
Naliligaw kung saan-saan
'Pag iyong nakalimutan ang iyong pinanggalingan
Ang nais maabot ay lumalayong tuluyan
Mata'y nasisilawan, budhi'y nakukulayan
Naliligaw kung saan-saan
The song "Sa Bawat Umaga" by the Apo Hiking Society is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of remembering our roots. The first verse reminds us that every morning, the sun rises and we must consciously recognize that life is borrowed time. Every moment that passes by should be meaningful, whether it be through work or art. The second verse encourages us to seek direction in our wanderings and to consider why we travel. It urges us to look both to the future and the past and to always remember where we came from.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of remembering one's roots. When we forget where we come from, our goals and dreams can become disjointed and we can become lost in our own journey. The song encourages us to love deeply and passionately, but to always remember the values that make us who we are.
Overall, "Sa Bawat Umaga" is a poignant reminder of the importance of being mindful in our everyday lives and to always remember our origin as we journey through life.
Line by Line Meaning
Sa bawat umagang sumisikat ang araw
Every sunrise brings a new life; a reminder that life is just borrowed and should be appreciated.
Alalahaning hiram lang ang buhay
Remember that life is just fleeting and should be cherished while it lasts.
Ang bawat sandaling sa iyo'y lumilipas
Every moment passes by, whether spent in productive or creative pursuits like writing poetry or songs.
Gawain o isip, mga tula't awitin
Whether it be your actions, thoughts or creative expressions like poetry and songs.
Ay laging bigyan ng saysay
Always give meaning to whatever you do, think, or create.
Sa bawat lansangan na ibig mong tahakin
Whatever path you choose to take in life, look for its end and purpose.
Hanapan ng dulong pupuntahan
Find your destination, your goal in life, and work towards it.
Sa bawat hakbang ng iyong paglilibot
At every step in your journey or exploration, always remember to pause and reflect.
Kanan o kaliwa, sana'y iyong isipin
Be mindful of every step and direction, and take the time to decide which way to go.
Kung bakit naglalakbay?
Think about the reason for your journey or exploration; know what motivates you.
'Pag iyong nakalimutan ang iyong pinanggalingan
When you forget where you came from,
Ang nais maabot ay lumalayong tuluyan
The thing you desire to achieve seems to slip away.
Mata'y nasisilawan, budhi'y nakukulayan
You become blinded by ambition, and your values may become distorted.
Naliligaw kung saan-saan
You get lost and confused, unsure of what direction you should take.
Sa bawat hangaring iyong ipinaglalaban
For every dream you have in life,
Isipin ang mundo'y para sa lahat
Remember that the world is meant for everyone and not just for one person or group.
Sa bawat sandaling ikaw ay umibig
Whenever you fall in love,
Puso'y nasasagi, hapdi'y 'di mapawi
Your heart may be touched, but the pain may not always go away.
Bawat puso'y may sariling pintig
Every heart has its own rhythm; we should respect and appreciate its uniqueness.
Writer(s): Boboy Garrovillo
Contributed by Lucas D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bernadette Arcena-Jacinto
on Blue Jeans
a sa on sa ondai.