APO Hiking Society’s Danny Javier: ‘The man who coined OPM’

The music industry paid tribute to OPM icon and APO Hiking Society member Danny Javier following his demise on Monday. The 75-year-old artist passed on because of “complications due to his prolonged illness.”

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab took to Facebook to express his gratitude to the singer-songwriter for his music. “Sumalangit nawa ang iyong kaluluwa, Danny. Matagal-tagal pa naming aawitin ang mga obra mong iniwan. Maraming salamat!” he wrote.

Ogie Alcasid recalled how Javier, his senior in the music business, unselfishly shared his time with newbie artists like Ogie back then.

“Ang pagkakaalam ko pa nga ay ang OPM ikaw mismo ang nakaisip,” he posted on Facebook.

He further remembered how Danny supported their gigs when they were just starting out and they jammed together in the variety show Sang Linggo nAPO Sila. “At syempre noong naisapelikula ang inyong mga awitin at kami nina Gary, Zsa, Uge, ang napiling gumanap na magulang sa musical na ito, magpahabang buhay na naitatak sa aming puso ang inyong legacy. Sobrang dami Danny.

“Wala kaming ibang masabi kundi — Salamat, Sir. Thank you for everything,” Ogie added.

Rock band True Faith was “very sad” over the “heartbreaking news,” describing Danny as “perhaps one of the most influential and most gifted Filipino songwriters of all time.”

Musical composer Lorrie Illustre called Danny “a man fully aware of his mortality expressed himself in music with lyrics infused with humor. He sang in a way that only he could deliver, singing his own send-off ahead of its time.”

“The man who coined ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC (OPM) left us with this song, Lahat Tayo. He wanted to share this with all of you — family, friends and loyal fans,” he said, posting an unreleased song by Danny.

“Danny… my friend, my brother, wanted his send-off to be happy, so let us celebrate his life. Bring out those Iba Ang May Pinagsamahan SMBs,’ the pulutan, and let’s party! Share his music, and let us make this Danny’s last big hit song!” he furthered.

Broadway icon Lea Salonga, vocal group The CompanY and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla expressed condolences to the family of Danny.

Showbiz personalities also mourned his passing. Judy Ann Santos said she “will never forget” her Tito Danny’s “hugs, smile and wisdom.”

The actress recalled how she “nervously approached” him to sing on her wedding day with Ryan Agoncillo. “Suntok sa buwan ang ginawa namin at buong puso nyo kaming pinagbigyan… Tinupad nyo at hinigitan pa ang mga pangarap na yun,” she said on Instagram. “Hindi natapos sa gabing yun ang pagkakaibigan natin… nagkakamustahan pa rin tayo at nagkekwentuhan paminsan-minsan.”

She thanked Danny for giving her the opportunity to know him better. “Nakakalungkot… mabigat… pero ngayon… Tapos na ang paghihirap at sakit na dinaanan mo… Oras ng magpahinga at maging maligaya sa langit... We love you.”

In an online post, talent manager and producer Noel Ferrer also thanked Danny for “being a good friend.”

Film director Joey Reyes also wrote: “His was a voice that sang the music of a generation. His was the music that shall be eternal, embedded by our culture. Mission accomplished, Sir.”

Danny’s daughter Justine earlier confirmed the news about her father’s death on Facebook. “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 said.

Danny was one-third of the APO Hiking Society, along with Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo, the legendary trio behind such OPM gems as Kaibigan, Pumapatak Ang Ulan, Panalangin, Batang-Bata Ka Pa, among many others.

Jim on Facebook wrote, “Shattered! River of tears,” while on Instagram, he shared a photo of Danny with the caption: “Danny clowning around during recording years ago… Till we meet again, Bro…” Boboy also mourned the “loss of an old, faithful friend” on social media, writing: “My friend lives on in his music.”