history

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF HERKIE DEL SOCORRO

When Herkie was just five years old, his curiosity on the piano had already emerged. While other kids played the usual games during school breaks, he was alone with the classroom piano. It was his childhood obsession. By the time he was seven, he can play some classical pieces like the Vera's Theme, Fur Elise, and the Moonlight Sonata relying solely on his hearing because he did not know how to read musical notes at that time.
When his father died in the line of duty, the carefree life of this nine-year-old had turned upsided down. His mother who was a mere housewife then was forced to leave him and his two brothers at the care of his grandparents to find some luck in the city of Manila. For two years, Herkie and his brothers spent some hard times under temperamental disposition of his guardians who only cares about the money Herkie's

The good times did not last, however. When his mother re-married to an old bachelor, the dark chapter of Herkie's life began. The days with his stepfather were not a holiday. After a short sunny disposition, this man's real character slowly surfaced. He was excessively and unreasonably strict with him and his brothers. Again, the lashes and bruises came. Everyday was a torment for the family. He goes home very drunk after losing big bucks at the casino and proceeded on beating Herkie's mother at the very eyes of her children. His favorite weapon of fear was his 45-caliber pistol that he had constantly flag around the house and shots would be heard whenever he loses his temper. It was ten years of hell but that hell didn't last for long, however. He eventually left them after looting most of the family's estate.

When he was in high school, he was active in the school choir even though his stepfather forbade it. In spite the dreadful threat of his stepfather, Herkie would always join the school Music Fest and entering song writing competitions. The troublesome years only made his music stronger and his compositions deeper. It was because of those sad moments that his lyrics became so intense and meaningful with each phrase, "Turning a life into a song..."as he put it.

Aside from being a musician in five-star hotels in Dubai, he also worked part-time as a waiter, bartender, music store technician and a salesman. This person is never afraid of getting his hands dirty and is always hungry to learn more about the facts of life. Through all the ups and downs in his life, he is everflowing with the tides while keeping his roots firmly in place.

In college, he joined a peer group called the Octaves, a spin-off of the singing group called the Major Chords who was famous in Zamboanga City. He was the instrumentalist of the group that caters to weddings, debuts, and public activities such as the Miss Zamboanga Beauty Pageant, Miss Tourism and town fiestas. When he finally graduated and got his degree, he worked in a business establishment as an office employee. Later he quitted his job and entered a career where he is most happy; signing up for a show band that performs in Bahrain.

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THE STORY BEHIND THE MAN

mother would send them. During those times, Herkie would secretly steal away from his chores and went to his neighbor who owned a piano just to satisfy his burning desire to touch those black and white keys. Later, he would bear the painful whip and the harsh words of his grandma but that did not deter him from the piano. After two years, his mother returned with a bag full of hope and was able to put up her own business that turned out very successful. The family was together again.