Watching the rise of Herbert Hernandez in the music industry has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. His journey feels like something straight out of a movie: a naturally talented child, taught guitar by his older brother, forms a college band that turns into a national sensation. He then becomes one of the most prolific songwriters and performers in Filipino music history. Now in his early 40s, Hernandez is still going strong and shows no signs of stepping away from the spotlight.
As the lead guitarist for both Moonstar88—the band he founded while studying at the University of Santo Tomas—and 6cyclemind, with whom he’s been touring since 2010, Hernandez is a bona fide rock star. But that’s only part of his busy life. He co-founded GIGIL, a highly successful advertising agency, has been married for over 15 years, is a father of three, stays active through biking and running, and travels extensively—all while managing a few personal passion projects that are close to his heart.
And to top it all off, Hernandez remains humble and grounded, consistently giving credit to God and his family for his success.
It’s hard not to be a fan.
From an early age, Hernandez thrived in everything he took on—whether it was visual arts, music, sports, or academics. With a mother who worked as an insurance agent and a father who was a mechanical engineer, Herbert Hernandez was always encouraged to pursue a traditional education, but he never let his creative passions take a back seat. His brother Darwin taught him how to play the guitar during high school, but even while honing his musical skills, he kept up his academic excellence. Herbert’s diverse hobbies made him a well-rounded individual.
He was student council president, a member of the dance troupe, the leader of the drum and lyre club, and a table tennis player. He even won first place at the Math Olympiad Provincial Competition and received the Juan Luna Award and Gerry Roxas Leadership Award. Everything Hernandez touched seemed to turn to gold.
This pattern of success carried through to college, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Fine Arts degree, majoring in Advertising. It was also during his college years, in 1999, that he founded Moonstar88, a pop/alternative rock band that has since become a staple of the Filipino music scene. Although Hernandez originally planned to stick to playing guitar, in 2002, he pitched a song idea that his band’s vocalist felt he was best suited to write.
That song was “Sulat,” a major hit and his first venture into songwriting. Since then, he’s written many of our favorite tracks, including “Migraine,” and has earned recognition as one of the Philippines’ top songwriters by the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP). This distinction has allowed him to collaborate with other composers, arrangers, and interpreters, creating music outside the scope of his usual band work.
At one point, however, Hernandez seriously considered giving up music. As a young professional rising through the corporate advertising ranks, he worried that music might take away from his primary career. But a boss encouraged him to keep at it, suggesting that music could be his creative outlet and a way to relieve stress.
One of his passion projects is the concert series “Lakihan Mo Logo” (“Make the Logo Bigger”), which features bands composed of Manila-based advertising talent, providing an outlet for his fellow advertisers. Over the past 12 years, they’ve performed 58 concerts, and some of the participants have even been signed as recording artists. Hernandez also organized 12 “Rockovery” concerts to raise money for ill advertising professionals, blending his two loves: music and advertising.
While fans might see Hernandez’s career as a series of calculated steps toward stardom, he refers to his achievements as a collection of “happy accidents.” Each new success or creative expression is, in his view, guided by divine intervention. His immense talent, dedication, and perspective? According to him, they’re just blessings from above.
Hernandez’s drive to uplift Filipino artists continues. In 2018, he co-founded “The Indierectory,” a platform connecting freelance and independent talents in the advertising industry with agencies and companies looking for fresh creative minds. He’s particularly passionate about connecting Filipino creatives with paid gigs and hopes to take the project global.
So, what’s next for this Filipino rock star?
Hernandez continues to perform with both Moonstar88 and 6cyclemind, playing gigs nationwide, though neither band has released a studio album since 2012. Moonstar88 has promised new music in 2023, with a vinyl release titled “Lourdes 2088.”
With his advertising career flourishing as GIGIL continues to secure major clients globally, Hernandez has had to juggle his two passions. His schedule is packed with long days at the office, family time, and nightly performances that often leave him with just a few hours of sleep. It’s a demanding lifestyle, but one he loves—and his fans are grateful he’s still making music.
In fact, when GIGIL was in its early stages, Hernandez leaned on his music career to make ends meet as he transitioned from his corporate advertising role to entrepreneurship. Now, even though he doesn’t need the money, the overwhelming love and support from his fans keep him engaged in his music. There aren’t many jobs that provide the kind of positive reinforcement that being a rock star does, and knowing that his music brings joy to others keeps Hernandez going.
Here’s to many more years of music from Herbert Hernandez, whether with Moonstar88, 6cyclemind, or whatever new project comes his way.
We’re with you all the way, Herbert!