Apo Hiking Society

APO is a famous music group. They are from the Philippines. They started in a high school in 1969.

The group had many members at first. Later, only three men stayed together. Their names were Danny, Jim, and Boboy.

They made many kinds of music. People call this style OPM. It means music from their home land.

The group made 27 albums. They also had their own TV shows. They sang for many years.

Many young bands still sing their songs today. People love to hear their music.

APO Hiking Society is a famous music group from the Philippines. They are a big part of Original Pilipino Music, or OPM. This term means music that comes from their own land. The group started in a high school in 1969. At first, they had twelve members. Later, only three men stayed in the group. Their names were Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo.

The group's name was a joke. It was named after a hero named Apolinario Mabini. Mabini could not use his feet. So, the group made a funny name about hiking. They made 27 albums over fifty years. They also hosted fun TV shows. Their shows used the name APO in clever ways.

APO traveled to many cities in the world. They played in places like the United States and Japan. They were the first Filipino pop artists to play at Carnegie Hall in New York. They even played a concert in Saudi Arabia. Many young bands still sing their songs today. They make special tribute albums to honor the group's music.

The Apo Hiking Society is a famous music group from the Philippines. They are a major part of Original Pilipino Music, or OPM. This term describes music that comes from their own culture. The group is known for its catchy songs and clever humor. People love them because they represent the heart of Filipino music. They helped make OPM a huge movement in their country.

The group's story began in 1969 at Ateneo de Manila High School. At first, there were twelve members in the group. As they grew up and went to college, the group changed. Most members left to find other jobs after graduation. Only three men remained to form the famous trio. These three were Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo. They worked together to create many famous songs and albums.

The group's name was actually a funny joke. They were originally called the Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society. This name was a play on a famous Philippine hero. Apolinario Mabini was a smart leader during a revolution. However, he had polio and could not use his feet. Because he could not walk, a "hiking society" was a joke. Later, they shortened the name to just "APO."

APO achieved many great things during their long career. They released 27 different albums over fifty years. In 1978, they won second place in a big song festival. They were the first Filipino pop artists to play at Carnegie Hall in New York. They also performed in many other places like Canada and Japan. In 1994, they won the first Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino award. This award is like the Filipino version of a Grammy.

Today, the music of APO lives on through others. Many young bands play their songs in special tribute albums. Two of these albums are called Kami nAPO Muna. These albums feature many different artists singing APO's famous hits. Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo still perform as a duo today. Danny Javier was a lead singer until he passed away in 2022. Their music continues to connect Filipinos all over the world.

The Apo Hiking Society is a legendary musical group from the Philippines. They are considered one of the primary pillars of Original Pilipino Music, or OPM. This term describes a musical movement that celebrates Filipino culture and identity. The group's influence extends far beyond their own songs. They helped establish the industry through record production and talent management. They also helped organize the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, which is the Organization of Philippine Singers and Musicians. Through these efforts, they supported the careers of many new artists in the Philippines.

The group's origins date back to 1969 at Ateneo de Manila High School. Initially, the group consisted of 12 members. These members included Lito de Joya, Sonny Santiago, Gus Cosio, Renato Garcia, Chito Kintanar, Kenny Borton, Bruce Brown, Butch Dans, Doden Besa, Ric Segreto Macaraeg, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo. Danny Javier joined the group later when they moved into college. As the members graduated, most left to pursue individual careers. This left a core trio of Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo. This specific trio became the famous version of the group.

The group's name was born from a sense of irony and humor. Their original name was the Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society. This was a joke regarding the Philippine revolutionary hero, Apolinario Mabini. Mabini was a brilliant intellectual, but he suffered from polio. Because of this, he could not use his feet to walk. Calling a group named after him a "hiking society" was deliberately funny. The name was later shortened to "Apo." This term can mean a wise man in Ilocano or grandchildren in Tagalog. They eventually rebranded the name to the all-caps "APO."

The group's professional journey included many significant milestones. In 1973, they gained recognition with a farewell concert at the Meralco Theater in Pasig, Rizal. In 1978, they won second place in the Metro Manila Popular Song Festival. Their song "Ewan," composed by Louie Ocampo, was the runner-up track. In 1987, they became the first Filipino pop artists to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York. They also performed at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada. These concerts were both sold out. They were also the first Filipino artists to perform in a public concert in Saudi Arabia.

APO's musical legacy is measured by vast numbers and lasting impact. They released 27 albums during their fifty-year professional existence. In 1994, they received the first Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino award. This award is the Filipino equivalent of a Grammy. They also received the Tanglaw Ng Lahi Award from the Jesuits. In 1986, they participated in the recording of "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo." This song involved 15 different Filipino artists. The song's English version, "A New and Better Way," was released in Australia and London. The lyrics are even etched onto the wall of the Our Lady of Edsa Shrine.

The group's influence continues through tribute projects and modern reinterpretations. In 2006 and 2007, management released two tribute albums titled Kami nAPO Muna and Kami nAPO Muna Ulit. These albums featured many young bands reinterpreting the group's repertoire. Artists like Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, and Sponge Cola contributed to these projects. Even the acoustic singer Noel Cabangon released a tribute album called Throwback: Ang Songbook Ng APO. These tributes show how the group's songs remain relevant to new generations of musicians.

Today, the members of APO remain part of the cultural landscape. Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo continue to perform as a duo. Paredes is also a photographer and an activist. Garrovillo has built a career in acting for film and television. Danny Javier, the group's lead vocalist, passed away in 2022 after a long illness. Before his death, he created the Pidro: Ang Saplot Ng Bayan T-shirt line. This line was chosen for the Philippine Centennial celebrations in 1998. The group's history remains a vital part of the story of Filipino music.