MANILA, Philippines?It comes as a surprise that Ernie Garcia, erstwhile stud leading man of ?70s-era bold films, was a singer first before becoming an actor.

?I?ve been singing since I was a kid,? he tells the Inquirer while preparing for a benefit gig, dubbed ?Ernie Garcia As Time Goes By,? tomorrow and Aug. 28 at Makuhari Bar, 1971 Leon Guinto St. Manila.

In fact, he remembers being asked to sing as penalty every time he was late for class in grade school. ?It came to a point that my classmates made sure I lost during PE games, so they can ask me to sing again,? he recalls.

He entered the music scene in 1970, recording two singles on a small record label.

That same year, his budding singing career was diverted. He was cast in a musical film starring Hilda Koronel, ?Happy Hippie Holiday,? and then portrayed a variety of roles, until he found himself heating up the screen in bold films like ?Mga Uhaw na Bulaklak.?

Did he junk singing after that?

?I made it a point to have at least one concert a year so as not to lose it,? he says.

When the bold film trend became ?too hot to handle,? he went to the United States for concerts, until he got homesick and returned to Manila.

He got into the theater as actor and producer, and also dabbled in painting.

His two-night club gigs coincide with his birthday month, he says. ?It?s also my way of doing something relevant for others. To make at least one living being happy should be one?s goal in life.? Proceeds of the shows will go to Street Angels Foundation which helps homeless children.

He attests having a wide repertoire of songs, from ?50s classics to contemporary hits. ?I go with the times. You?ll know what I mean once you see me in concert,? he says.