Watching Herbert Hernandez’s journey in music feels like witnessing an unstoppable force. His story has all the elements of an inspiring film: a naturally gifted child, taught to play guitar by his older brother, forms a college band that rises to national fame, and evolves into one of the most influential songwriters and performers in the Philippines. Now in his early 40s, Hernandez remains in the limelight, showing no signs of slowing down.
Hernandez is the lead guitarist for Moonstar88—a band he co-founded while studying at the University of Santo Tomas—and 6cyclemind, which he has been touring with since 2010. While his status as a rock star is well established, it’s just one facet of his multifaceted life. He co-founded the highly successful advertising agency GIGIL, has been happily married for over 15 years, is a dedicated father to three children, stays active through cycling and running, travels frequently, and is deeply involved in several passion projects.
And despite his many achievements, he remains humble, always crediting his success to God and his family.
It’s impossible not to admire him.
A Life of Excellence from the Start
From an early age, Herbert Hernandez excelled in various fields, from visual arts and music to sports and academics. With a mother in insurance sales and a father working as a mechanical engineer, he was encouraged to pursue a traditional education while keeping his creative passions alive. His older brother, Darwin, introduced him to the guitar during high school, and he juggled his musical passion while excelling academically.
His list of achievements is extensive—student council president, dance troupe member, head of the drum and lyre club, and a talented table tennis player. He won first place in the Math Olympiad Provincial Competition, received the Juan Luna Award, and earned the prestigious Gerry Roxas Leadership Award. It seems everything he touched turned to gold.
That trend continued in college, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Fine Arts degree, majoring in Advertising. In 1999, he formed Moonstar88, a pop-alternative rock band that became a staple in the Filipino music scene. Initially, Hernandez intended to stay in the background as a lead guitarist. However, in 2002, he proposed an idea for a song that Moonstar88’s vocalist believed he should write himself.
That song, “Sulat,” became a massive hit and marked his first step into songwriting. He later went on to write other beloved songs like “Migraine.” Recognized by the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP) as one of the country’s top songwriters, Hernandez has since collaborated with various composers, arrangers, and interpreters to create diverse musical works beyond his band.
Almost Walking Away from Music
At one point, Hernandez seriously contemplated leaving music to focus on his rising career in advertising. As a young professional climbing the corporate ladder, he feared music might interfere with his professional growth. However, a former boss advised him to stick with it, using music as a creative outlet and stress reliever. That advice changed everything.
One of Hernandez’s passion projects is “Lakihan Mo Logo” (“Make the Logo Bigger”), a concert series showcasing bands made up of Manila-based advertising professionals. The initiative provides industry insiders with a stress-relieving creative escape, and over the past 12 years, 58 concerts have been staged. Some participants have even gone on to secure recording contracts.
Additionally, Hernandez spearheaded 12 “Rockovery” concerts, raising funds to help cover medical expenses for advertising professionals facing serious health challenges. This initiative seamlessly blends his two greatest loves: music and advertising.
A Legacy of Giving Back
While fans see his career as a well-planned rise to stardom, Hernandez considers each milestone a “happy accident.” Every new level of success, every new song, and every fresh opportunity, he attributes to divine intervention—never mind his undeniable talent, hard work, and sharp creative instincts.
Always looking for ways to uplift fellow Filipino creatives, Hernandez co-founded The Indierectory in 2018. This platform connects independent creatives and freelancers in advertising with agencies and companies seeking fresh talent. His ultimate goal? To help Filipino independent artists land paid gigs, eventually expanding the platform’s reach globally.
What’s Next for Herbert Hernandez?
Though Hernandez remains active with Moonstar88 and 6cyclemind, neither band has released a studio album since 2012. However, Moonstar88 has promised new music in 2023, with a vinyl release titled “Lourdes 2088.”
As GIGIL continues to expand, working with major global clients, Hernandez is balancing his dual careers with long workdays, brief family time, and late-night gigs that leave him running on just four hours of sleep. It’s a labor of love, and fans couldn’t be more grateful that he’s still making music.
When he first launched GIGIL, Hernandez leaned heavily on his music career to bridge the financial gap while transitioning from a corporate executive role to starting his own business. While money is no longer a concern, the unwavering love and support from fans keep him dedicated to music.
After all, few careers offer the kind of instant joy and appreciation that being a rock star does.
Here’s to many more years of music, creativity, and inspiration from Herbert Hernandez, both in the advertising world and on stage.
We love you, Herbert!