Eto Na! an APO musical

I got goosebumps. And I felt ashamed. Imagine me getting goosebumps over an APO song! And Blue Jeans at that! Blue Jeans was the first song performed by the cast of Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! which as the Blue Jeans and APO connection clearly says, is made up of songs created and popularized by Philippine pop music’s legendary trio, the Apo Hiking Society.

The APO was made up of Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Boboy Garrovillo. They were college friends at the Ateneo University in the early ‘70s, who got together and formed a singing group. After a few years as campus heartthrobs, some members decided to go their own ways but Jim, Danny and Boboy went full-time into show business as singers, actors and best of all as songwriters. 

Now you all know what being an APO and a songwriter means. That means a line-up of some of the biggest selling, instantly recognizable songs of these past 40 years. Think Blue Jeans, Pag-ibig, Inaamin Ko, Salawikain, Panalangin, Batang Bata Ka Pa, Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan, Paano, Awit Ng Barkada, Mahirap Magmahal Ng Syota Ng Iba, Bawat Bata, When I Met You, Lumang Tugtugin, Doo Bidoo Bidoo, Show Me A Smile, Tuyo Nang Damdamin, Nakapagtataka, Yakap Sa Dilim, Kabilugan Ng Buwan, Di Na Natuto, Heto Na, Suntok Sa Buwan and that one with the kilometric title, Bakit Ang Babae Sa Tagal Ng Pagsasama Tila Mas Mahirap Maintindihan, plus others.

A number of these songs were used by writer and director Robbie Guevara to put together the very first APO stage musical.  The show is presented by 9Works Theatrical and Globe Life where it is playing on weekends until Aug. 26. It stars Mark Bautista, Jobim Javier, Alfritz Blanche, Rita Daniela, Marika Sasaki, Sab Jose, Jef Flores, Jon Abella, Vyen Villanueva, Jon Philippe Go, Raul Montesa and Neomi Gonzales.

Guevara tells a simple tale that derives a bit from the real APO story. Set in the Martial Law years, it tells of seven friends, Rick, Ray, Butch, Sonny, Jaime, Donnie and Bobby, who put together a singing group. The play opens while they are in the process of trying to write original songs for a competition that could win them a recording contract with Vicor Music and a chance to perform in a TV show. 

As the music begins to take over their lives, they realize that they also have to contend with schoolwork, their girlfriends, what is happening at home and eventually to be part of what is also happening around them in the country. This heavier material was his for the taking but Guevara chose to touch on those issues ever so lightly and instead kept a generally lighthearted mood.

 This was in the fun stage design. Dig that huge phone booth. Love those ‘70s costumes probably shopped at Manila C.O.D. Why they had the APO wear those white bell-bottom trousers with striped sweaters that the group wore in an early appearance. And what a fantastic cast! Pinoys really excel in theater. I felt so proud watching them sing and dance their way through the familiar tunes.

They also turned out to be great comedians that expertly spewed well-timed punch lines one after another. With these, Guevara brought back memories of Ye ye Vonnel, the Love Bus, the curfew, the Metrocom, the Thrilla in Manila, Barney, the dino and “Don’t say bad words,” that the audience instantly recognized and eagerly laughed at.

As the second act came to an end, there was no question that this APO package is one well-spent three hours. It is funny, heartwarming and loaded with memories. It is also shining on a very bright note. Of course, because of the songs. Everything in this case is first rate, but there is no way that the APO music was going to take a backseat to anything.

So watch and prepare for the goosebumps. Even for Blue Jeans. I guess though that the reaction only goes to show how powerful that song, which was originally written for a Regal movie, has become over the years. It was not that of a listener responding to feelings elicited by a song. I was reacting to a time that the bouncy Blues Jeans evoked. Including all the recollections contained in it.