Herbert C. goes platinum

MANILA, Philippines - Nowadays, even the most established music acts find difficulty in scoring a platinum record award.

So, it should amaze observers that newcomer Herbert C., whose style and songs for his debut album Kinabukasan put him in the category of pop-ballad singers, is able to achieve the feat in a relatively short span.

The five-song album, on the strength of its radio hit single Pa’no ‘Yon, is now certified platinum, with a follow-up single Akala Mo Lang ‘Yon.

“Lahat ng kanta ko, tungkol sa buhay ko,” shares the 40-year-old talent whose charisma and background are as equally interesting as the good recall of his album tracks.

Herbert C. is currently an inmate at the maximum security compound of National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. But an extraordinary, well-loved inmate at that, as proven by the crowd’s near-hysteric reaction while watching him perform during one Saturday afternoon show held recently at a basketball covered court located within the said area.

Known for his philanthropic activities inside NBP, he has become an idol of sorts among people who get to see him perform and in some ways, interact with him. 

The release of his debut album distributed by Ivory Music and Video inevitably transformed him into a singing sensation with a hit song and album under his belt.

The veteran duo of Margot and Edith Gallardo, the tandem that gave Aiza Seguerra the song Pagdating Ng Panahon, is behind the album’s songwriting and production, going some extra mile to facilitate proper recording in spite of the obvious limitations of having someone serving a prison sentence do the singing.

Herbert C., born poor and who may have done something against the law because of that, ironically realized that his incarceration led to blessings he thought were not possible. He said, “Dito ko na natutunan ang pagkanta at pagsayaw. Nung bata ako nangarap akong maging singer. Akalain mong dito sa loob ng Bilibid ko matutupad ang pangarap ko.”   

He used to frequently sing the Willy Cruz-penned Doon Lang on videoke. Now his version of the said song is part of the album that propelled him into a platinum artist.

Inside NBP, Herbert C.’s leadership skills apparently helped better the conditions inside the maximum security compound, with his bi-monthly charity shows (where he gets to sing his favorite Manila Sound classics) now considered highly-anticipated spectacles.

At the said recent show, he opened his set with Rico J. Puno’s Macho Gwapito as the audience, composed of inmates and womenfolk from around Muntinlupa, erupted into frenzy.      

Last April 27, he was awarded at NBP’s Social Hall with the platinum award by record label executives. His new video for Akala Mo Lang ‘Yon was also formally launched to the public.

“Paglabas ko dito gusto kong mag-perform sa concerts para mas marami akong mapasaya,” promised the smiling-faced, new-found act who admitted getting his greatest fulfillment when helping people, especially in terms of food allocation and medical assistance for the needy.

Two other likable originals, the title track and Ikaw Ang Pag-ibig, complete his album packed with minus-one versions of all five songs he recorded.