Pamamaalam at Pasasalamat sa Apo...



Paalam is a very sad word. It's the Tagalog word for "goodbye" and, for some reason, I find it waaay sadder than the latter. Two nights ago, the Apo Hiking Society, my all-time favorite Filipino singing group, staged the last of their series of farewell concerts after they decided to disband after 41 years of making great music. The final concert was aptly entitled Paalam nAPO!

I wasn't at the concert, not even in the one that was held in Cagayan de Oro. I had to settle for the pictures and videos posted on Facebook and Twitter. I really wanted to watch at least one concert in the series, but time and circumstance weren't on my side. I could've gone to CdO for the concert there, but I had work. I would've wanted to go to Manila and watch the final concert at the Music Museum, but, well, I didn't have that much money. The thing is, now that I think about it, it was just as well because it would've been too painful for me. It would've been too sad.

For someone who has always considered the Apo a huge part of her life and so much a part of who and what she is, it would be total torture to see them perform knowing that it would be the last time they'd be performing together. I remember the first and only time I watched them in concert. I went by myself since none of my friends was available at that time. It was held in UP Diliman. The moment they came out on stage is a moment I will never forget for as long as I live. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't realize I was crying. Really, really. I think the lady seated next to me got irritated at some point because I was singing along with the group the entire time! In the most quiet way I could, at least. I knew most, if not all, of the songs they performed that night. And, I was so happy that it was my favorite, Kabilugan ng Buwan, that they chose to play with (they sang different versions of it). The concert was exactly as I expected and imagined it to be; it was great! Unforgettable!

I remember when I found out that the Paredeses were planning to move to Australia for good, the first thing I thought about was what was going to happen to the Apo. And then, I was relieved when they still continued to have shows together. Then, last December, when they officially announced that they were disbanding, like a cheated girlfriend, I was totally heart-broken. The very night I read about it from Sir Jim's Twitter account, I listened to all Apo songs I could find on YouTube and I cried like mad. I was inconsolable that night! I know that some people may think I was overreacting and all, but that was really how I felt. It actually took me a day or two to recover from the sadness I felt.

I was only 12 years old when I became aware of the Apo and their music, and I remember already liking them then. I remember singing Batang-Bata Ka Pa in my freshman year in High School. And, that's actually when my love affair with the group officially started. From that time on, they became my favorite singing group. When one's that young, s/he only has the most popular and "in" singers as favorites, but it wasn't like that for me. As early as that time, I was already into them and they weren't even that popular among my age group. That was 1993-ish. And, I have continued to love them until today and will probably continue to love them until I die.

Another thing that will always make the Apo special to me is the fact that they will always be a part of my Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) experience. Their song, Ewan, has been the "national anthem" of many batches of Philippine delegation for years, up until now. In fact, even our foreigner counterparts know the song by heart. It's actually the most popular Filipino song in SSEAYP history. And, as for our batch, most of the Tagalog songs we sang while in the program were Apo songs. And, I couldn't be happier then.

The Apo will remain in every Filipino heart they touched with their wonderful music. They may never perform their songs together again, but the performances that made them one of the Philippines' greatest and finest, will always be very clear and fresh in our minds and hearts. The Apo has made Original Pilipino Music richer and more colorful. I thank them with all my heart for their music and for everything that is the Apo experience.

Maraming-maraming salamat po, Sirs Jim, Boboy and Danny! You are living inspirations for all of us! :)


Comments

Jim Paredes said…
A wonderful piece that brought me to tears. Thank you for this. It is a good feeling to be appreciated.
cheryll said…
ako din, grew up listening to Apo songs. Intro pa lang ng kanta, alam ko nang Apo song sya. Come to think of it, I know "oldies" songs more than contemporary ones (well, except for those that really play on and on the radio...can't help but know them na rin).

it's sad - about the disbanding - but at the same time, it makes me look forward to reunion concerts :)

Godspeed to Jim, Danny and Boboy.
chepie said…
Like what Simon Cowell said, "One should know when to leave the Party." While i'm not too happy to see APO bid their goodbyes, i am just too thankful that their songs will transcend their farewell.

thanks Ket for encouraging me to listen to more of APO back then. *hugs*
BabyPink said…
Sir Jim, thank you po for taking some time to read this entry. The Apo will always be loved. You have made a huge impact in a lot of lives, and especially in the life of one ordinary Muslim girl. :)

Mami Che, korek! Let's hope nga naa gyu'y mga reunion performances ba. :)

Tita Pie, let's watch together when they have reunions. :)
Anonymous said…
darnits! i wasn't able to see their cdo concert...

-BMC (via Facebook)

---

its sad to say goodbye for sure but like all things ,whatewver starts has to finish a very classic example of apha and omega.

-Ma'am BN (via Facebook)

---

EPIC.

-MAC (via Facebook)
Anonymous said…
i could really feel the sadness you are feeling in this piece, babypink! nice one! and how cool is that! jim p. himself left a comment! ibang level! wow!
cross eyed bear said…
wow! nag-comment si Jim Paredes sa blog mo. asteeeg.

i was at the concert. the last last one. and i was teary eyed at the end, especially when they were playing their bye-bye video. buti na lang na-diffuse ng kanilang nobody but you vid. haha!

the sobbing happened the day after. jan just caught me listening to their songs and crying like inaway na bata. haha.

they will be sorely missed but they have left us with a beautiful legacy. songs we can always run to in our confusion or joy. :)
sakura said…
They had their concert at Tubod, Baroy, Lanao del Norte last month I think...I remember this one guy who went to office selling some tickets. I was tempted buy one but I got no companion and I had to consider the distance despite the fact that there was a free bus ride. I got a feedback that the APO sang Batang Bata Ka Pa to Gov. Khalid Dimaporo ;-) More power APO HS.
BabyPink said…
Odd Girl, yeah, it was really sad for me! Hay. And, thanks. :)

Anj, buti ka pa. We will truly miss the Apo pero, yes, their songs will always be there for us. :)

Sakura, sayang naman. I heard about that concert, too. But, not until after the concert.
bing said…
i am a fan, too. learned of it from FB. nakakalungkot talaga. they will be missed.

i was so touched reading that you cried. and it's not overreacting.
Anonymous said…
Argggh! Ate D, na-guilty ako, I was at CDO the night the APO had their concert, and I was at Limketkai Center at that very date!....I even got to see the jampacked parking lot....
BabyPink said…
Miss Bing, sobrang they will be missed talaga. Hay.

Jah, sana pala sumilip ka. Hehe:)
ligaya said…
i'm not a big fan but i've always loved them.

& hindi ka OA...

just sad
BabyPink said…
Salamat, Ligaya. :)

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