Fans of the internationally-known Apo Hiking Society were shocked when the announcement was made. This singing group, which has performed many times in Australia and in over 50 cities around the globe, has decided to permanently close the stage curtain after 40 years. The announcement was made during their last Valentine Show on February 13, 2010 at the Mall of Asia in the Philippines.
In his blog “Humming in my Universe,” Jim Paredes wrote: “Danny is into Pidro, his T-shirt company and is doing consultancies. Boboy is into acting and golf. I am into writing, teaching, photography and workshops. Aside from these, the three of us have gone into collaborative social causes that range from environmental, electoral, educational, nationalistic — all pointing in the direction of people empowerment and the enhancement of our democracy.”
The group was originally formed in 1969 by 13 students of the Ateneo de Manila High School in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. They initially called themselves the Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, an irreverent reference to the paralytic Philippine revolutionary and intellectual hero.
Over the years, the name was shortened to APO Hiking Society as Jim, Boboy and Danny made a career of singing and composing OPMs (Original Pilipino Music). Butch Dans, one of the original 13, became their business manager.
Some of the more popular songs contained in one of 22 APO albums are Doo Bi Doo, Ewan, Kabilugan ng Buwan, Kaibigan, Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota, Pag-ibig, Panalangin, Princesa, Pumapatak ang Ulan, Salawikain, American Junk, and Batam-bata ka pa.
Jim has migrated to Australia and now resides with his wife Lydia and 3 children in a property in Glenwood, NSW. However, during the past several months, Jim has been travelling most of the time doing concerts with the rest of the band in several cities around the globe. Upon retirement, he is most likely to spend more quality time with his family in Sydney.
Pia Guanio, a known TV personality commented: “It’s like an era in the music industry coming to an end.”
Yes,
Thats life, it has to move on but the quality of there music will leave forever. Apo Hiking Society’s music is a perfect lyricist to a right melody.
Jerry