Watching Herbert Hernandez’s music career evolve is like witnessing a force of nature. His life story reads like a classic movie: a prodigious child, taught to play the guitar by
his older brother, forms a band in college that skyrockets to national fame, and ultimately becomes one of the most prolific songwriters and performers in Filipino history. Now in his early 40s, Hernandez shows no signs of slowing down or fading from the limelight.
Herbert Hernandez is the lead guitarist for both Moonstar88 (the band he started while attending the University of Santo Tomas) and 6cyclemind (with whom he has been touring since 2010). He’s a true rock star, but that’s only one facet of his vibrant life. He also co-founded the successful advertising agency GIGIL, has been married to his wife for over 15 years, is a father to three children, stays active through biking and running, travels extensively, and devotes time to passion projects that are close to his heart.
And did we mention his humility? Hernandez credits his success to God and his family, staying grounded despite his remarkable achievements.
It’s impossible not to admire him.
From a young age, Hernandez excelled in almost everything he pursued—visual arts, music, movies, sports, and academics. With a mother who was an insurance sales agent and a father who was a mechanical engineer, he was encouraged to pursue a traditional education while keeping his creative passions at the forefront. Herbert’s older brother Darwin taught him to play the guitar in high school, but despite his artistic inclinations, he never let his grades slip. His wide array of hobbies and interests made him a well-rounded individual.
Hernandez was a standout student, serving as student council president, a member of the dance troupe, head of the drum and lyre club, and a table tennis player. He won first place in the Math Olympiad Provincial Competition and received the Juan Luna Award and the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award. It seems that everything he touches turns to gold.
That success continued into his college years, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Advertising. He also founded Moonstar88 in 1999, a pop/alternative rock band that has become a staple in the Filipino music scene. Although Hernandez initially intended to remain the lead guitarist, in 2002, he pitched a song idea that the band’s vocalist encouraged him to write.
That song was “Sulat,” a major hit for Moonstar88 and Hernandez’s first venture into songwriting. Since then, he has penned some of our favorite songs, like “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, arrangers, and interpreters, creating music that spans beyond his band’s usual repertoire.
It’s hard to believe that at one point, Hernandez considered quitting music altogether. As a young professional rising quickly in the advertising world, he feared that music might detract from his career. But a wise boss advised him to stick with music as a creative outlet and a way to relieve stress.
One of Hernandez’s cherished side projects is ‘Lakihan Mo Logo’ (‘Make the Logo Bigger’), a concert series featuring bands composed of Manila-based ad agency talents. This initiative gives his advertising peers a creative outlet and has led to 58 concerts over 12 years, with some participants even being signed as recording artists. Hernandez also organized 12 “Rockovery” concerts to raise funds for medical expenses for seriously ill members of the advertising community, blending his two great loves: music and advertising.
While we fans see Hernandez’s career as a series of triumphs leading to stardom, he humbly refers to each step in the right direction as a “happy accident.” Every time he unlocks a new level of talent or finds another way to express himself, he attributes it to divine intervention, despite his raw talent, hard work, and unique perspective.
Always seeking to uplift and celebrate fellow Filipino artists, Hernandez co-founded The Indierectory in 2018, a platform that connects independent talents in the advertising industry with hiring agencies and companies. He is passionate about linking Filipino freelancers with paid opportunities, with hopes of expanding this initiative globally. For Hernandez, The Indierectory is one of the projects he’s most enthusiastic about.
So, what’s next for our beloved Filipino rock star?
Hernandez continues to perform with Moonstar88 and 6cyclemind across the country, even though neither band has released a studio album since 2012. Moonstar88 has promised new music in 2023, with a vinyl release titled “Lourdes 2088.”
As GIGIL’s growth continues to accelerate, Hernandez is balancing his thriving advertising career with his passion for music. His days are long, filled with office work, brief family time, and late-night shows that often leave him with only four hours of sleep. It’s a demanding schedule, but his fans are grateful that he’s still making and performing music.
When GIGIL was in its infancy, Hernandez relied heavily on his music career to bridge the financial gap between leaving his corporate job and launching his own business. Now, while he might not need the income, the outpouring of love from fans keeps him committed to his music. There aren’t many jobs that offer the kind of positive reinforcement that being a rock star does, and knowing he brings joy to others is deeply meaningful to Hernandez.
Here’s to many more years of music from Herbert Hernandez, with both Moonstar88 and 6cyclemind.
We love you, Herbert!
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