A Concert That Feels Like a Homecoming: the APO Hiking Society Gears Up for “naRYAN nAPO Kami”

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab has known the APO Hiking Society since their early days in the music industry. So, when they discussed reuniting for a concert for the MaestroClass series at the Proscenium Theater, Mr. C placed his full trust in them and gave them the creative freedom for their segment. That feels like a full-circle moment because back when they started collaborating in the 70s, APO Hiking Society (composed of Jim Paredes, Boboy Garrovillo, and the late Danny Javier) also relied on the young music genius that Ryan Cayabyab was. 

“We first met him sumisikat pa lang kami. Hindi pa siya sikat. We had one song, and he tried to fix it for us right then and there,” Jim recalled, adding that he’s always admired how talented Ryan was. APO was running a recording company at the time, and since they saw Mr. C as a fresh creative arranger, they tapped him to work with them on an album. “We relied on him. Sabi namin, ‘You’re the man. This is your sound.’ So, we had a whole album na siya ang gumawa,” Boboy shared. 

As their genres are different, they truly valued his inputs in introducing fresh approaches to their sound. “I remember when we would give him our songs to be arranged, he would always find a different chord; use a different chord for what you did. Parang sabi namin, p’wede pala ’yun. So, I think he woke up those things in our creative process also,” Boboy said.

“Parang he expanded our vocabulary for music,” Jim added. “When you have songs arranged by Ryan, you feel the songs take off e.” 

Given their history as collaborators, it was only a matter of time before Mr. C would tap the APO Hiking Society for his MaestroClass concert series. Its format and intimate setting reminded Jim and Boboy of Mr. C’s ABS-CBN show back in the day, Ryan Ryan Musikahan, in which they would appear as guests. 

For Jim and Boboy, the Proscenium Theater is the most ideal location for a show like MaestroClass. “Very intimate,” Jim described the state-of-the-art venue. “Acoustics are good. And nakikita mo ’yung mga mukha ng ine-entertain mo. You can see their reactions. That triggers something in a performer. Para kang quick on the draw.” 

Boboy, on the other hand, noted the homey vibe that Ryan further sets with his music and approach to entertaining. He said, ultimately, “the way he treated his guests” for his shows in the past, and this time, the live audience, will spell the difference.   

“naRYAN nAPO Kami” brings together Mr. C, the APO Hiking Society, and Mitch Valdes, with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS). It also marks their onstage reunion with Mitch, whom they’ve been working with for over three decades and described as someone who commands attention and is “intense” when it comes to performing.

With these colleagues and constant collaborators, it will be a nostalgic musical experience for APO. But at the same time, it will be a new experience for the duo because it’ll be their first time performing at the Proscenium Theater and working with RCS. “For us, it’s something new. So it will sound different for us,” Boboy said. 

But even at this point in their career, they welcome new things in their musicality. Boboy added, “Sabi nga ni Direk Rowell [Santiago], I’m sure the packaging that you’ve grown through the years, after 40 or 50 years together, even with Mitch, there’s a whole package that you’re going to be delivering for Christmas.” 

Mr. C reiterates that “naRYAN nAPO Kami” is not a Christmas show. “It just happens to be in December,” Boboy noted. “But this is our gift to our audience.” 

There will be Christmas songs, for sure, but the concert will also highlight the music the guest artists have been known for. 

“Sabi niya [Mr. C], just do your act,” Boboy added. 

Jim said, “He does understand that our repertoire is self-made. And for him to just say, ‘You guys know what to do,’ that’s very nice of him.”

So, what makes this show a must-watch this Christmas season? It’s less about the holiday-themed songs and more about the feeling and the spirit of having people come together for an intimate, nostalgic evening. It’s like a homecoming, filled with warmth, joy, and music to celebrate life. 

Why watch? Because “it’s the only show we’re at,” Boboy laughed. 

“But no, I’ll tell you,” Jim continued. “The guests in this show and the people who conceptualize this show have the same idea of what a show should be. For me, the element of, you know, I mean, magaling ka na. Granted, magaling ka na. But every show, to differentiate from other performers, you have to have surprise and delight. Hindi p’wedeng delight lang. Hindi p’wedeng ‘Wow, ang galing mo. Hindi p’wedeng gano’n lang… They must discover something na talaga, ‘Oh my gosh.'” 

What also touches APO is how they’re seeing their music appreciated by different generations. APO has been performing for 53 years already, but their songs have become classics that the younger listeners are starting to discover, and it’s such a pleasant surprise for them. 

For instance, they released “Batang-Bata Ka Pa” over four decades ago, but people still listen to it today. 

“‘Yung generation namin, kinanta ‘yon sa mga anak nila. ‘Yung mga anak nila, kinanta ‘yon sa mga anak nila. Hanggang umabot na sa four or 5 generations yata. So when we sing something like that, it’s a parent-children thing that’s bonding right then and there,” Jim reflected. 

Ultimately, that’s what the MaestroClass concert series is all about: music that connects and appeals to everyone, no matter the generation. After all, music is the language we all understand. 

Photos courtesy of Proscenium Theater