Because relevance is timeless

Music has an ever-changing landscape—that’s why parents and kids can never get along during road trips (that is, unless earphones are in the car). Parents will say, “They don’t make music like they used to” and kids will argue how outdated those favorites are. Parents will complain about how loud the new music is and kids will point out that there’s so much more than what DJs play on the radio and in clubs.

But once in a blue moon, a band or musician will come through the ranks and cement themselves in every generation’s heart. And for the Filipino, that privilege and responsibility is owned by APO Hiking Society.

Pumapatak Nanaman Ang Ulan

1978

Because life is simple, yet complicated no matter what year you were born.

RELATED: Want to Get in on K-Pop? Start with These Songs

Ang araw ko'y nabubusisi ako and nasisisi

Bakit ba sila ganyan

Ang pera ko ay di magkasya

Hindi makapagsine at ayaw namang dagdagan

Ubos na rin ang beer, kaya kape na lang

Lahat sinusubukan kahit walang pulutan

Ang buhay ng tamad, walang hinaharap

Ni konting sarap man lang

Nakapagtataka

1979

Because heartbreak and loss are languages everyone can speak.

Kung bakit ganito ang a-king

Kapalaran

Di ba't ilang ulit ka nang

Nagpaalam

At bawat paalam ay puno ng iyakan

Nakapagtataka, nakapagtataka

Batang-Bata Ka Pa

1980

Because “you’ll understand when you get older”—need we say more?

RELATED: Remembering Avicii: A Timeline of His Most Memorable Hits

Batang-bata ka pa at marami ka pang

Kailangang malaman at intindihin sa mundo

Nais ko sanang malaman ang mali sa katotohanan

Batang-bata ka lang at akala mo na na alam mo

Na ang lahat na kailangan mong malaman

Kabilugan Ng Buwan

1980

Because falling inlove is universal and generation-less.

Pagmamahalan lang naman

Ang mararanasan

Sa sariling mundo tayo lang

Ang may alam

Kabilugan ng buwan

At ang hangin ay may kalamigan

Aakapin kita mahal ko

Sa buong magdamag

Blue Jeans

1982

Because no one likes growing up—and no one likes being told how to grow up.

Ngunit ang kabataan daw ay kayaman

'Wag daw basta't itapon at papabayaan

Kaya magsikap tayo habang may panahon at

Mag-aral at mag-ipon tayo ng karunungan

Mahirap Magmahal Ng Syota Ng Iba

1982

Because these lyrics are as honest and as direct as anything can get.

Mahirap talaga ang magmahal ng iba

Oh sakit ng ulo maniwala ka

Ngunit kahit ano pang sabihin nila

Iwanan siya’y di ko magagawa

When I Met You

1983

Because we all deserve to meet someone and have our lives start all over again.

You taught me how to love

You showed me how tomorrow and today

My life is diff'rent from the yesterday;

And you, you taught me how to love

And darling I will always cherish you

Today, tomorrow and forever

RELATED: Whatever Happened To Them? Musicians We Loved That Are Now MIA

More than anything, the reason why APO has done so well during these last few decades is that their themes are constant. Moreover, their music is timeless and the kind that easily fits into trends and different genres—and that’s exactly why so many of their songs have been revamped, reused and given a second/third/fourth life.

If you need more proof, there’s this: Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! has been receiving rave reviews from generations all around. There’s something in it for everyone, quite like how there’s an APO Hiking Song for every situation.

Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is a production of Globe Live and 9Works Theatrical. Co-presented by FoxLife and FrontRow. Special thanks to our official media partner CNN Philippines; official makeup partner, Make Up Designory; and official venue partner, BGC Arts Center.

Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! will be showing all weekends of August. Get your tickets now with Ticketworld.