LEGENDARY musician Heber Bartolome has passed away on Monday, 15 November. He was 73.
Heber Bartolome is a Philippine folk and rock singer, songwriter, composer, poet, guitarist, bandurria player, bluesist and painter. His music is influenced by the “style tradition” of Philippine folk and religious melodies. He is the founder of Banyuhay band. Banyuhay, a “protest band” with the trademark sound of kubing, a local musical instrument in the Philippines.
“Nawalan siya ng pulso kaya dinala sa Veterans (Memorial Medical Center),” Jesse told ABS-CBN News.
“Mahusay na pintor (Heber), matulungin sa kapwa.
“Isa siyang haligi ng Pinoy rock. May social relevance ang mga gawa niya. Pero may love songs din siya.”
Heber Bartolome formed Banyuhay with brothers Jesse and Levi, whose work catapulted them to fame in the 1970s and whose songs spoke to common folk and their struggles.
“Wala akong kantang hindi hango sa tunay na karanasan. Kasi mahirap magsulat ng hindi mo naman naranasan. Ang maganda kasi sa mga sinusulat mo, iyong mga binabanggit mong salita nagmamarka sa mga nakikinig na meron karanasan ganu’ng din,” Bartolome said in an interview with GoodNewsPilipinas.com in June.
metrosundaily
