FROM LEFT: Boboy Garovillo and Jim Paredes of the iconic OPM group APO Hiking Society

50 years! This is how long the APO Hiking Society has lasted as a symbol of Original Pilipino Music. They coined the term OPM, after all. On July 15 and 16, the group's two surviving members - Jim Paredes and Boboy Garovillo - liven up the stage in a groundbreaking concert to celebrate 50 golden years on the turf where it all began, their alma mater Ateneo De Manila University.

The coming event is simply dubbed "Apo Hiking Society 50 Years, The Concert." Like most of their shows, Jim said it will be full of  "surprise, delight, and originality. We always make something new for our audience."

"We really have not done a major concert for more than 15 years. We're technically retired. This is a celebration, a culmination of what we've been doing for the past 50 years. We're going to get the best out of this, tweaked with a little help from our musical director," Jim added.

"It's worth watching our 50 years concert because you might not be around in the next 50. As for us, we're still okay," Boboy quipped.

Definitely, the APO will be dishing out their well-loved classics that most people consider the soundtrack of their lives. Boboy and Jim are proud of the fact that there's an APO song for every momentous life event. Nothing beats "When I Met You" in the lovefest department. "Panalangin" has really become a popular choice for weddings. There's a graduation or reunion? Then time to play "Awit Ng Barkada."  Overseas Filipino workers get sentimental over "Kaibigan."

There's a story behind every song, and that's the most interesting part. Jim recalled how he composed "Nakapagtataka" (sung also by Hajji Alejandro and other artists) because his sister told him she was breaking up with her husband.

"She told me they loved each other but they just couldn't get along. And this inspired the lyrics," he pointed out.

Jim also wrote "Batang-bata Ka Pa" when his eldest child was born and  "Tuyo Ng Damdamin." was inspired by a close friend who  called him one day to say his marriage was over.

"It's our songs that live on and we're just happy to be alive to sing it," Boboy mused.

"We're one of the very few performers now who's able to draw a grandfather, a father, a son, and a grandson in the same crowd. That's what 50 years is like," Jim observed.

"On a philosophical note, you won't last 50 years if you don't love your job and it doesn't love you back" he added. "We love what we do and whatever you love pays you back, that's why we're still doing this."

Asked to share the secret to their longevity that others can emulate, Jim ticked off three things:: one, forget individual egos, and always think as a group. Two, take care of your health. You can't do a two-hour concert if you're not fit. Three, be patient with each other. "You're just like married couples. You will fight."

Boboy noted that they consider themselves "lucky" for making it to 50 years in the business and being healthy physically.

"We don't really take any medication. My maintenance is vitamins. We've allowed our hair to grow white, it's better that way," Boboy remarked.

For their 50th year two-night concert, Boboy and Jim will be joined by Hangad, the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CAD) and special guests. The July 15 concert is co-presented by Maryknoll College Batch '74, for the benefit of the Miriam College Endowment Fund Scholarship Program and the "May Puno! May Buhay!" tree-planting project.

For tickets, log on to ticket2me.net or contact mobile number 09568138042.