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.
Tagalog Medley
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sari-saring magugustuhan, mga luma at bagong himig
Ngunit isa lang ang aking gusto, isa lamang ang napapansin
Masarap, madaling kantahin ang lumang tugtugin
Nung tangan ng nanay ang munti mong mga kamay
Ika′y tuwang-tuwa, panatag ang loob sa damdaming ika'y mahal
Nung nakilala mo ang una mong sinta
Hindi mo malimutan kung kailan nagsimula
Matuto kung pa-paano magmahal
At 'di mo malimutan kung kailan mo natikman
Ang una mong halik, yakap na napakahigpit
Pag-ibig na tunay hanggang langit
Araw, ikaw ang may dala ng liwanag
Sa sikat mong taglay, nabubuhay
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-whoa-oh
Tulad ka ng tangi kong mahal
Hangin, ang dulot mo'y hinga na malalim
Ang awit mo′y walang nililihim
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-whoa-oh
Tulad ka ng tangi kong mahal
Sana nga′y ganyan, ganyan ang katotohanan
Hindi maglalaho ang pagmamahalan
Kapag nagkaganito, taga mo sa bato
Hindi mo na kailangan pang mangako
Walang tigil ang gulo sa aking pag-iisip
Mula nang tayo'y nagpasiyang maghiwalay
Nagpaalam pagkat hindi tayo bagay
Nakapagtataka, oh
Hindi ka ba napapagod o ′di kaya'y nagsasawa
Sa ating mga tampuhang walang hanggang katapusan
Napahid na′ng mga luha, damdamin at puso'y tigang
Wala nang maibubuga, wala na akong maramdaman
Hindi ka ba napapagod o ′di kaya'y nagsasawa
Sa ating mga tampuhang walang hanggang katapusan
Napahid na'ng mga luha, damdamin at puso′y tigang
Wala nang maibubuga, wala na akong maramdaman
Kung tunay tayong nagmamahalan
Ba′t 'di tayo magkasunduan, whoa
Ang tamis ng iyong halik, yakap na napakahigpit
Ang tamis ng iyong halik, yakap na napakahigpit
The Apo Hiking Society's "Tagalog Medley" is a tribute to the richness and diversity of Filipino music. The song describes how different types of music can be enjoyed and appreciated, but ultimately, the singer prefers the simplicity and joy of singing old tunes. The lyrics also touch on themes of love, childhood memories, and the longing for a lasting and sincere love. The song opens with the statement that no matter where one is, music can be heard, and it comes in different forms, old and new, and they can all be liked. However, the singer prefers the old tunes as they are easy to sing and bring back lovely memories.
The second stanza of the song talks about the warmth a mother's love can bring to a child. The song then moves on to depict the poignant memory of one's first love and how the memories of the union continue to linger on in one's mind. The lyrics go on to describe the innocence of the start of love, recounting the pure joy and overwhelming happiness.
The song employs various Filipino literary devices like "tugma" and "sintesis" that exemplify the richness of the Filipino language. It is a uniquely Filipino medley in terms of the melodies involved and the use of language, including Tagalog, Waray, and Cebuano. The song's iconic opening notes in the karaoke scene have become a recognizable tune for generations of Filipinos. Moreover, the melody is a combination of popular folk songs like "Ang Pipit," and "Manang Biday," and the medley became a classic and a hit during its time.
The "Tagalog Medley" by the Apo Hiking Society uses standard chord progressions in the verses and simple harmonies at the chorus. The song is in the key of C, using standard major chords like C, G, F, and A minor. The song follows the classic A-B-A-B form common to many traditional Filipino love songs.
Chords:
Verse - C, Am, F, G, C, Am, F, G
Chorus - C, F, G, C, F, G, Am, G
Line by Line Meaning
Kahit saan ka man, ang awit ay naririnig
No matter where you are, music can be heard
Sari-saring magugustuhan, mga luma at bagong himig
Different people have different preferences for old and new songs
Ngunit isa lang ang aking gusto, isa lamang ang napapansin
But I only like one, only one catches my attention
Masarap, madaling kantahin ang lumang tugtugin
Singing old songs is enjoyable and easy
Nung tangan ng nanay ang munti mong mga kamay
When you were held by your mother's hands
Ika'y tuwang-tuwa, panatag ang loob sa damdaming ika'y mahal
You felt happy and secure, knowing that you are loved
Nung nakilala mo ang una mong sinta
When you met your first love
Umapaw ang saya at siya'y ibang-iba, sinamsam ang bawat gunita
Your happiness overflowed, and every memory was cherished
Hindi mo malimutan kung kailan nagsimula
You won't forget when it all started
Matuto kung pa-paano magmahal
Learn how to love
At 'di mo malimutan kung kailan mo natikman
And you won't forget when you tasted your first kiss
Ang una mong halik, yakap na napakahigpit
Your first kiss, a tight embrace
Pag-ibig na tunay hanggang langit
A love that is true until eternity
Araw, ikaw ang may dala ng liwanag
The sun brings light
Sa sikat mong taglay, nabubuhay
We live with your radiance
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-whoa-oh
N/A
Tulad ka ng tangi kong mahal
Just like the one I love
Hangin, ang dulot mo'y hinga na malalim
Wind, you bring a deep breath
Ang awit mo'y walang nililihim
Your song hides nothing
Sana nga'y ganyan, ganyan ang katotohanan
I hope that is how reality is
Hindi maglalaho ang pagmamahalan
Love won't disappear
Kapag nagkaganito, taga mo sa bato
When it happens, hold on tight
Hindi mo na kailangan pang mangako
You don't need to make promises
Walang tigil ang gulo sa aking pag-iisip
My thoughts are constantly in turmoil
Mula nang tayo'y nagpasiyang maghiwalay
Ever since we decided to part ways
Nagpaalam pagkat hindi tayo bagay
We said goodbye because we are not meant for each other
Nakapagtataka, oh
It's puzzling, oh
Hindi ka ba napapagod o 'di kaya'y nagsasawa
Aren't you tired or getting bored
Sa ating mga tampuhang walang hanggang katapusan
With our endless fights
Napahid na'ng mga luha, damdamin at puso'y tigang
Tears have dried, emotions and heart are empty
Wala nang maibubuga, wala na akong maramdaman
Nothing left to give, I don't feel anything anymore
Kung tunay tayong nagmamahalan
If we truly love each other
Ba't 'di tayo magkasunduan, whoa
Why can't we agree, whoa
Ang tamis ng iyong halik, yakap na napakahigpit
The sweetness of your kiss, a tight embrace
Contributed by Bella A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bernadette Arcena-Jacinto
on Blue Jeans
a sa on sa ondai.