Herbert Hernandez Holds Tight to His Music Career, and We’re All Thankful.

Following the journey of Herbert Hernandez in the music industry has been akin to witnessing a powerful force in action. His narrative possesses all the elements of an epic film: a talented young boy taught guitar by his older brother, who forms a band in college that skyrockets to fame, ultimately achieving enduring success as one of the most prolific songwriters and performers in Filipino history. Now in his early 40s, Hernandez shows no signs of slowing down or stepping away from the spotlight.

Hernandez serves as the lead guitarist for both Moonstar88, the band he formed while studying at the University of Santo Tomas, and 6cyclemind, with whom he has toured since 2010. He is undeniably a rock star, but that’s just one aspect of his incredibly busy life. In addition, he co-founded a thriving advertising agency, GIGIL, has been married for over 15 years, is a father to three children, stays active with biking and running, travels extensively, and engages in several personal projects that are close to his heart.

Did we mention his humility and gratitude? He attributes all his success to God and his family.

It’s truly hard not to admire him.

From an early age, Herbert Hernandez excelled in nearly every endeavor he pursued, whether it be visual arts, music, film, sports, or academics. With an insurance sales agent as a mother and a mechanical engineer as a father, he embraced a traditional education while keeping his creative passions at the forefront. His brother Darwin introduced him to the guitar during high school, but Hernandez never allowed his grades to suffer. His myriad interests and hobbies— and there are many— made him a well-rounded individual.

He held positions such as student council president, participated in the dance troupe, led the drum and lyre club, and played table tennis. He even clinched first place in the Math Olympiad Provincial Competition, along with the Juan Luna Award and the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award. It seems that everything he touches turns to gold.

This trend of success continued into college, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Advertising. In 1999, he also founded Moonstar88, a pop/alternative rock band that has become a beloved fixture in the Filipino music scene. Although he initially aimed to remain the lead guitarist, in 2002 he pitched a song idea that the band’s vocalist thought he was best suited to write.

Fortunately, he accepted the challenge and penned “Sulat,” a major hit for the band and his first foray into songwriting. Since then, he has created many other beloved tracks, such as “Migraine,” and has been recognized by the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP) as one of the top songwriters in the Philippines. This recognition has allowed him to collaborate with other composers, industry arrangers, and song interpreters, resulting in music that differs significantly from what he creates with his band.

It’s astonishing to think that there was a time when Hernandez seriously contemplated leaving music behind. As a young professional rapidly advancing in the corporate advertising world, he feared that music might detract from his primary career. However, his boss encouraged him to continue pursuing music as a creative outlet and stress reliever.

One of Hernandez’s most cherished projects is ‘Lakihan Mo Logo’ (‘Make the Logo Bigger’), a concert series featuring bands made up of talent from Manila-based advertising agencies, providing a stress relief outlet for his peers. Over the past 12 years, they have hosted 58 concerts, with some participants even signing contracts as recording artists. Additionally, Hernandez organized 12 “Rockovery” concerts to raise funds for the medical expenses of seriously ill members of the advertising community, successfully merging his two passions: music and advertising.

While fans perceive Hernandez’s career as a series of stepping stones to stardom, he himself refers to each step in the right direction as a “happy accident.” Every time he unlocks a new level of his talent or discovers another way to express himself, he attributes it to divine guidance. Regardless of his raw talent, hard work, and unique perspective, he believes he is receiving assistance from above.

Forever seeking ways to uplift and celebrate his fellow Filipino artists, Hernandez has yet another project that intertwines his two worlds. In 2018, he co-founded The Indierectory, a platform that allows independent advertising professionals and freelancers to showcase their work directly to hiring agencies and companies. He is dedicated to connecting Filipino independent talents with paid opportunities, with aspirations of expanding this initiative globally. The Indierectory is one of the projects that excites him the most.

So, what’s next for our beloved Filipino rock star?

Although Hernandez continues to perform with Moonstar88 and 6cyclemind across the country, neither band has released a studio album since 2012. Moonstar88 is set to release new music in 2023, including a vinyl titled “Lourdes 2088.”

With his advertising career flourishing as GIGIL expands rapidly and secures some of the biggest clients globally, Hernandez is putting in extra effort to maintain his music career. This means long hours at the office, followed by short family time, and then performances at night, leaving him with just four hours of sleep. It’s a labor of love, but his fans are grateful for his continued performances and music creation.

When GIGIL was just beginning, Hernandez recalls relying heavily on his music career to bridge the financial gap between leaving his advertising executive position and starting his own business. Now, while he may not need the income, the love and support from fans keep him invested in music. There aren’t many jobs that provide the positive reinforcement of being a rock star, and knowing he brings joy to people is incredibly meaningful to Hernandez.

We hope to enjoy many more years of music from Herbert Hernandez, both with Moonstar88 and 6cyclemind.

We love you, Herbert!