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.
Wala Nang Hahahanapin Pa
Apo Hiking Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ang kanyang pagkababae ang dinadahilan
Pagsubok sa pag-ibig walang katapusan
'Di naman daw nagdududa, naniniguro lang
Ewan ko ba ngunit kahit ganyan siya,
Minamahal ko siya, wala nang hahanapin pa
Kahit ano'ng sabihin ng iba, minamahal ko siya,
'Di raw nagseselos ngunit nagbibilang
Nang oras 'pag ako'y ginagabi
At biglang maamo 'pag may kailangan
'Pag nakuha na ikaw ay itatabi
Ewan ko ba ngunit kahit ganyan siya,
Minamahal ko siya, wala nang hahanapin pa
Kahit ano'ng sabihin ng iba, minamahal ko siya,
Wala nang hahanapin pa
'Di magpapatalo 'pag mayroong alitan
'Di aamin ng mali, magbabagong-isip lang
Ewan ko ba ngunit kahit ganyan siya,
Minamahal ko siya, wala nang hahanapin pa
Kahit ano'ng sabihin ng iba, sinasamba ko siya,
Minamahal ko pa, walang kaduda-duda,
Wala nang hahanapin pa
The lyrics of Apo Hiking Society's song Wala Nang Hahahanapin Pa express a deep and unconditional love for someone despite their flaws and quirks. The first stanza talks about this person's unique style and the fact that they use their femininity as an excuse for their endless trials in love. However, the singer has no doubt about their love for them and sees no need to look for anyone else.
The second stanza describes this person's attitude towards the singer's life and decisions. They don't get jealous but they do count the hours if the singer is out late, and they become gentle and caring when they need something. Despite these idiosyncrasies, the singer loves them deeply and sees no reason to listen to what others may say.
The last stanza explains that this person is not one to back down from an argument or admit when they are wrong, but they are willing to change their mind. Despite these traits, the singer loves them unconditionally and even worships them. There is no doubt in their mind that they have found the one they are meant to be with and they have no need to look for anyone else.
The song captures the feeling of finding that one person who completes us, no matter how they may be perceived by others. The lyrics reflect the depth of love and commitment that can exist between two people, despite their flaws and differences.
Line by Line Meaning
Mayroon siyang estilong kanya lamang
He has his own unique style
Ang kanyang pagkababae ang dinadahilan
He attributes his femininity as his unique style
Pagsubok sa pag-ibig walang katapusan
Love has constant challenges
'Di naman daw nagdududa, naniniguro lang
He doesn't doubt, he just makes sure
Ewan ko ba ngunit kahit ganyan siya,
I don't know why but even though he's like that,
Minamahal ko siya, wala nang hahanapin pa
I love him, I don't need to search for anything else
Kahit ano'ng sabihin ng iba, minamahal ko siya,
Despite what others may say, I love him,
Wala nang hahanapin pa
I don't need to look for anything else
'Di raw nagseselos ngunit nagbibilang
He says he doesn't get jealous but he counts
Nang oras 'pag ako'y ginagabi
When I come home late at night
At biglang maamo 'pag may kailangan
And suddenly becomes sweet when he needs something
'Pag nakuha na ikaw ay itatabi
Once he gets what he wants, he'll keep you by his side
Di magpapatalo 'pag mayroong alitan
He won't back down in an argument
'Di aamin ng mali, magbabagong-isip lang
He won't admit being wrong, but he'll change his mind
Sinasamba ko siya,
I worship him,
Minamahal ko pa, walang kaduda-duda,
I love him even without doubt,
Wala nang hahanapin pa
I don't need to look for anything else
Contributed by Madison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bernadette Arcena-Jacinto
on Blue Jeans
a sa on sa ondai.