DANIEL Morales Javier, or more popularly known as the oldest member of the timeless OPM musical group APO Hiking Society, passed away last October 31, 2022 at the age of 75.
APO Hiking Society members Jim Paredes and Buboy Garrovillo paid tribute to their late friend who recently died due to “complications due to his prolonged illnesses.”
In his Instagram account, Paredes posted a black and white photo of Javier mocking around in a recording session many years ago. “Till we meet again,” he wrote.
Buboy Garovillo, the only member who is still active in the entertainment industry, also paid tribute in his post. “Just feeling the loss of an old faithful friend who knew what love is although sometimes it just doesn’t show. My friend lives on in his music,” Garovillo wrote with reference to one of Danny’s earlier hit compositions “Show Me A Smile.”
The song “Di Na Natuto,” probably the greatest OPM hit of all time, was popularized by another music icon Gary Valenciano with not a few thinking Gary wrote the song. But it was Danny who wrote the song, MBC communications head Susan Isorena-Arcega reminded in her post. “Rest in peace Danny – the Bedan among the Ateneans who gave birth to the Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society.”
Colleague Alex Y. Vergara, features editor of PeopleAsia Magazine, shares my sentiments on Danny’s brand of music that I grew up with since high school.
“In my long years as a lifestyle journalist, I’ve always admired the APO Hiking Society’s music. It has substance without being preachy, the melodies often light and hummable without being vulgar and faddish,” Vergara shared. “That it was Danny who composed one of their best songs, ‘Pumapatak Na Naman ang Ulan,’ all the more made me admire his musicality. If I remember right, the Lifestyle section for the old paper I worked for had the chance to interview them as a group. Alas, of the three, it was only Jim Paredes whom I got to interview on occasion. It would have been a dream interview if I got to sit down with Danny Javier solo and pick his brains.”
“APO Hiking Society will never be the same. Thank you Danny Javier for the gift of music,” said Bobby Requintina, entertainment editor of Manila Bulletin.
Indeed, but Danny’s timeless songs will never be forgotten.
Aside from “Show Me A Smile” (1976, ) “Pumapatak Na Naman ang Ulan” (1978), and “Di Na Natuto” (1985), Javier also composed: “Pag-ibig” (1978), “Kaibigan” (1978), “Doo bidoo” (1978), “Kabilugan ng Buwan” (1980), “Blue Jeans” (1981), “Kumot At Unan” (1991), “Awit ng Barkada” (1991), “Just A Smile Away” (1992), “Lumang Tugtugin” (1992) and “Isang Dangkal” (1999).
Danny’s last song “Lahat Tayo,” was recorded on his hospital bed with special musical arrangement infused by another musical icon and dear friend Lorrie Ilustre who wrote a long post two days ago.
Ilustre said: “I decided to arrange and record instead a tune he roughly sang on his Facebook page. Through family, I was able to get the recording with his original vocals to his hospital bed. The nurse played the music to Danny and he would nod to acknowledge that it was ok. That’s good enough for me.
“I know Danny’s writing style and ideas so I just had to make this music arrangement for him to bring along to his journey home. I took his vocals from his FB post and recorded. His video I synched to audio. I just tweaked a note and rearranged the song structure but I kept everything the way he would have wanted it.
“Last year he called me and said he was sick. I visited him right away. We were together the whole day talking about everything from our past to the present. He kept a positive outlook on life even though he was suffering from several medical conditions….”
The song “Lahat Tayo” is now on YouTube.
