Daniel “Danny” Morales Javier, lead vocalist of legendary Filipino musical trio Apo Hiking Society, died on Monday, October 31. (Read More Here).
His daughter Justine Javier Long confirmed the death on Facebook, according to GMA News.
“In life, as in his death, our Pop never stopped fighting for what he loved, what he believed in and what he was passionate about. He left this world with his passion and his strength of will intact and we know he would not have it any other way,” Justine wrote, as reported by GMA, and asked for privacy as the family arranged details of his wake.
Thank you so much. We truly feel everyone’s love for him. In sadness and joy, in trials and triumphs, we are with you.)
In 2020, Danny disclosed on his Facebook account that he had “underlying health concerns with my heart, lungs, and kidneys.”
Danny helmed the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) movement in the ’70s with his Apo Hiking Society bandmates Boboy Garrovillo and Jim Paredes. The group was behind timeless hits such as “Batang-bata Ka Pa,” “”Pumapatak ang Ulan,” “Kabilugan Ng Buwan,” and “Panalangin,” among many others.
Danny was also an actor and entrepreneur, and with Boboy and Jim was a host of long-running ’90s noontime show “Sang Linggo nAPO Sila.”
Renowned names in local music took to social media to express their condolences: “In life, as in his death, our Pop never stopped fighting for what he loved, what he believed in and what he was passionate about. He left this world with his passion and his strength of will intact and we know he would not have it any other way,” she wrote.
The Javier family is asking for respect and privacy as they arrange details of his wake. They are also full of gratitude towards everyone for the “outpouring love, prayers, and condolences at this difficult time.”
“Maraming salamat po. Ramdam na ramdam namin ang pagmamahal ninyong lahat para sa kanya.”
“Sa lungkot at ligaya, hirap at ginhawa, kami’y kasama mo.”
This update came after his friend and fellow APO Hiking Society member Boboy Garrovillo said in an online interview with PEP.ph that “Danny is not well,” but is recovering.
In 2020, Danny revealed in a Facebook post that he has “underlying health concerns with my heart, lungs, and kidneys.”
Boboy took to Facebook to mourn the loss of his friend.
“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,” he said.
Paredes, in phone interview with ABS-CBN News, shared his grief over Javier’s passing. He recounted just recently spending time with Javier, who had been under intensive care. “I was able to visit him and we were able to talk for 45 minutes. He was getting better until this happened,” Paredes said.
“My friend lives on in his music,” Garrovillo, meanwhile, said in a Facebook post on Monday. “Just feeling the loss of an old faithful friend who knew what love is although sometimes it just doesn’t show.”
After the 2010 retirement of APO Hiking Society, Javier mostly stayed away from the limelight, while Paredes and Garrovillo remained active in showbiz.
Amid calls for a reunion performance in 2022, when the three members aligned in their political stance after once clashing, Garrovillo said it was “not possible physically,” citing Javier’s condition.
In February, Javier said he was “recuperating from several medical conditions,” as a reason for being unable to perform. He specifically mentioned congestive heart failure, COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
In an earlier interview, Garovillo said that a reunion concert among him, Javier and their third member, Jim Paredes, may no longer be possible.
Aside from Javier’s illness, Garovillo said Paredes is no longer active in the entertainment business.
Actor Richard Merk also recently asked for prayers for the healing of Javier. A native of Abuyog, Leyte, Javier was in fact the one who coined the term OPM to stand for the organization made especially to protect the interest of Filipino singers and song writers, and their music.
While he was known as part of the singing group Apo Hiking Society, which made its mark in the local music scene in the late 70s until the late 90s, he was also a composer whose compositions made the charts.
Among his popular compositions include Pumapatak ang Ulan (1978), Kaibigan (1978), Doo bidoo (1978), Kabilugan ng Buwan (1980), Blue Jeans (1981), Di Na Natuto (1985), Kumot At Unan (1991), Awit ng Barkada (1991), Just A Smile Away (1992),[3] Lumang Tugtugin (1992) and Isang Dangkal (1999).
His team up with Garovillo and Paredes produced several popular shows on television such as the long-running “Sa Linggo nAPO Sila” on ABS-CBN. The group however disbanded sometime in 2009.
Javier is a product of San Beda College and Ateneo de Manila University, he also assumed a popular fictitious character as “Pidro,” a provinciano who came to Manila seeking good fortune. The character was such a hit that he ventured into a a T-shirt business with “Pidro” images.
The musician left behind his daughter Justine Javier-Long and brother, his brother fellow actor-comedian Dyords Javier, and niece, singer-actress Mica Javier.
Discover more from KossyDerrickent
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
