The Golden Age of the APO Hiking Society

The Golden Age of the APO Hiking Society
Celebrating 50 Years of their Iconic Music at Areté

In celebration of their 50th anniversary as one of the most timeless local artists in Philippine history, the APO Hiking Society graced the stage of the Hyundai Hall in Areté last July 15 and 16 with enthralling back-to-back sold-out performances.
 
The reminiscence in the room was undeniable as Boboy Garrovillo and Jim Paredes serenaded the audience with their greatest hits and updated medleys, all the while trading funny quips and banter that was so classic APO. If there was any evidence needed to prove that they personified the word “Original” in Original Pinoy Music – “50 Years: The Concert” could not have made it more obvious.
 
The Setup and the Setlist
It was immediate from the onset of the show when both Garrovillo and Paredes were introduced onstage in wheelchairs and hospital gowns that you knew this was definitely going to be a night that you wouldn’t forget. Every element of the production was incredibly well thought-out; from the orchestra cues to the rolling clips, every casual dance step, and even their outfits that displayed the number 50 in baybayin – these were all subtle acknowledgements to their respect for Filipino heritage.

There was a welcome consideration as well for the young showgoers who were newly acquainted with the group. From the first note played until the last, the stage screens continuously shared various tidbits about the origin story of the APO Hiking Society (formerly known as the Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society) while also flashing the title of each song captioned with their meaningful sentiment to the artists who wrote them.
 
And truly every song was delivered with the intent to warm the APO-loving hearts in the room. Masterfully selecting pieces from their impressive discography of 27 albums, Garrovillo and Paredes left nothing to be desired as they opened with renditions of the all too familiar “Ewan” before transitioning over the course of more than two hours with their original ballads such as “Yakap sa Dilim”, “Panalangin”, and “When I Met You”.

Yet nothing could have prepared the audience for their engaging remix of kundiman folk songs sung to the tune of contemporary music (imagine a hilarious crossover between Tiktok and “Pen Pen de Sarapen”). It was a show for all generations and their quick-witted crowd work and hilarious intermissions merely solidified their status as unequivocal veterans of the entertainment industry.
 
A Tribute to Danny
The moment that everyone was waiting for, however, came as a beautiful memorial to their former bandmate, Danny Javier, who passed away on October 21, 2022, after a struggle with various illnesses over the course of several years. “This is not an anniversary show without Danny,” Garrovillo declared as they highlighted bittersweet memories through videos of their dear friend singing onstage in his youth and in the final moments of his life. Arguably the most emotional moment of the concert was the guest appearance of Jobim Javier who delivered a moving version of “Batang-Bata Ka Pa” in honor of his father. Without question, the remaining members of the APO Hiking Society ensured that all members of the audience would feel the presence of Danny Javier in those two nights.

The APO Hiking Society Comes Home
As a testament to their roots, it’s fitting that the APO would celebrate their 50th anniversary on the very same campus where Garrovillo, Paredes, and Javier officially banded together. They honored the Ateneo de Manila University by using their concert as a platform to showcase the homegrown talents of organizations such as the Hangad Music Ministry and the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADs). To host this special occasion at the Hyundai Hall was an immense privilege for Areté as an institute that has dedicated its initiatives to promote Filipino artistry and support creativity and innovation in our local communities.

The Encore
If the resounding standing ovations given to the APO Hiking Society on their two-night run were any indication, a repeat performance must certainly be on the horizon. You can bet that they’re just getting started.

For more information about the events happening in Areté, please visit https://arete.ateneo.edu/.
 

Photos courtesy of Naomi Isabelle A. Soriano (The Guidon)