Herbert: The Comedy Prince back in SRR14

MANILA, Philippines - The original prince of comedy, Herbert Bautista, is back via Regal Entertainment’s Metro Manila Film Festival entry Shake, Rattle & Roll 14 The Invasion, where he topbills the Ang Pamana episode with Janice de Belen and Arlene Muhlach.

The Quezon City mayor’s big-screen comeback is creating a stir in the media since he has been away from the limelight for five years.

His movie comeback is memorable considering that the horror franchise that gave him a Best Actor award for the SRR 1 episode Manananggal is close to his heart.

Herbert’s potential as a screen comic has been tapped since he was young. This natural knack for comedy paved the way for various projects which enabled him to hone his craft further.

After creating his niche via SRR 1, Viva Films built him up as the youngest Prince of Comedy. His star shone brightly in blockbuster youth-oriented flicks like Bagets 1 and Bagets 2.

No wonder, he rose to be one of Viva Films’ prime artists who headlined a string of assignments like Ninja Kids, Hotshots, Kumander Bawang, Captain Barbell, Puto and the remake of Jack En Jill with Sharon Cuneta, which had a sequel, Jack En Jill sa Amerika.

Herbert’s other memorable outings before temporarily bowing out of the scene to pursue a career in politics were Dunkin’ Donato and Ping Lacson: Super Cop.

His love affair with public service began when he was elected president of the Kabataang Barangay-National Federation from 1986 to1989.  

He served as Quezon City councilor from 1992 to 1995 and was considered as the youngest vice mayor for three consecutive terms — 2001, 2004 and 2007.

He won the city’s mayoralty post via landslide victory in 2010. In next year’s polls, he is touted to win hands down once again.

A San Beda College Philosophy and Letters graduate, Herbert took courses on public service before joining politics.

More recently, he has been named Most Outstanding Centennial Bedan Alumnus for his contribution and leadership in civil governance and politics.

Though a Bachelor of Laws undergrad at New Era University, Herbert earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG).

He is finishing his Doctorate Degree at UP Diliman.

Mayor Herbert is placed in the same league as the other stars who have joined politics like Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto.

Herbert’s outstanding achievements in public service and education only prove that he is no simple funnyman. He is a thinking comedian who doesn’t have to resort to shallow styles in comedy to endear himself to the audience. They adore and love him for his quick wit.

Experience Herbert’s unique comic flair as the mother and daughter tandem of Lily and Roselle Monteverde tapped him for Ang Pamana.

In 2013, Herbert will prove why he’s tagged the original Comedy Prince, closely following in the footsteps of new comedy king Vic Sotto, as he returns to his first love, that is, acting. He is also reviving his production company next year.