David Licauco

David Alexander Sy Licauco (: born June 15, 1994) is a Filipino actor, model, and businessman. He is known for portraying Malik for GMA television drama ''Mulawin vs. Ravena'' (2017), Fidel de los Reyes y Maglipol in '' Maria Clara at Ibarra'' (2022–2023), Carding in ''Maging Sino Ka Man'' (2023) and Hiroshi Tanaka in ''Pulang Araw'' (2024) aired on GMA Network.

Early and personal life

Born to Jolan Alexander Licauco and Eden Sy Licauco with Chinese Filipino ancestry, he is the second-oldest child. His siblings are Elan Alyssandra, Jean Arianne May, and James Daniel; the latter two are both volleyball players and have previously played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. He is a grandson of Jaime Licauco, an internationally known parapsychologist, columnist, author, lecturer, hypnotherapist, and consultant. In 2014, he started his career in modelling after he won 1st Runner-up in Mr. and Ms. Chinatown.

Education

Licauco finished high school at Grace Christian College. He then studied college at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, playing for its varsity basketball team, then graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Major in Computer Applications in 2016.

Health problems

In 2013, Licauco was injured in a collision along the South Luzon Expressway that killed his companion.

On April 23, 2024, Licauco revealed that he was suffering from sleep apnea since July 2023. In May 2024, he successfully underwent surgery for the condition.

Career

2014–2016: Career beginnings

Prior to becoming a TV actor and a professional model, Licauco started modelling inside the campus for several school event posters. His modelling flair was discovered in the shores of Boracay. He then landed a modelling job via ''Mr. and Ms. Chinatown'' on ABS-CBN which opened him opportunities in modelling and acting. In the succeeding months, he walked for several fashion shows such as those of ''Cosmopolitan'', Coca-Cola, and Bench, and graced magazine covers including ''Candy Magazine'', '' Chalk Magazine'', and ''Garage Magazine''.

Although Licauco had been a constant face in fashion shows and magazine covers, in 2014 he made his acting debut in the movie ''The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin'' topbilled by Vice Ganda. In the succeeding year he made a cameo in the television series ''FlordeLiza'' aired on ABS-CBN followed by playing small roles in ''Ipaglaban Mo!'', ''Magpakailanman'' and ''Karelasyon'' in 2016.

In all honesty, Licauco never dreamed of entering Philippine showbiz and becoming a star. In his March 2023 interview for GMANetwork.com's Kapuso Profiles, he admitted that growing up, he never considered himself "good-looking" enough to be in showbiz. "I was just an ordinary basketball player na tamad-tamad, so ’di ko lang talaga inisip talaga ’yon,”

2017–2021: Rising popularity

In 2017, Licauco starred in the television fantaserye '' Mulawin vs Ravena''. After landing the role of Malik, Licauco's popularity skyrocketed, launching him into stardom. Because of this, he landed consecutive roles in the television series '' Kapag Nahati ang Puso'' and '' TODA One I Love''.

In 2021, Licauco received his first leading role in GMA Network's romantic comedy series '' Heartful Café.'' It premiered on April 26, 2021, on the network's Telebabad line up.

2022–present: Breakthrough

In 2022, Licauco received his breakthrough role in '' Maria Clara at Ibarra'' where he starred as Fidel de los Reyes, the mischievous friend of the character Crisostomo Ibarra (played by Dennis Trillo) and potential love interest of Klay Infantes (Barbie Forteza). His performance was tagged by various media outlets as the "New Philippine Superstar not for his boy-next-door looks, but on-point acting skills." Licauco also sang the official theme song for the FiLay love team in the show entitled "Kailangan Kita", which was released on December 23, 2022. The theme song is under GMA Music and GMA Playlist.

On November 22, 2022, Licauco renewed his contract with Sparkle GMA Artist Center.

Licauco was a cover star of March, 2023 issues of Cosmopolitan Philippines, Mega Man Magazine and Scout magazine. He became a cover model of Summit Media's Preview Magazine October, 2023, as “new-generation matinee idol,” and L'Officiel Hommes Philippines Fall-Winter issue, November, 2023, "Balancing Act".

Other work

Business career

In 2019, Licauco, as entrepreneur, opened his first restaurant, Turks Shawarma in Valenzuela, Metro Manila. He is the president and CEO of DJA Fitlife Corporation, Kuya Korea Corporation, MAD Business Group, and As Nature Intended. He expanded his food and on-line businesses with His Sobra Comfort Filipino Food delivery rising to Sóbra Café in Ayala Alabang. He founded Kuya Korea and 25th Burgers chains.

Aside from restaurants, he also owns a fit-out construction company.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Discography

Soundtrack appearances

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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Sparkle GMA Artist Center profile
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Licauco, David
Living people
1994 births
21st-century Filipino male actors
De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde alumni
Filipino actors of Chinese descent
Filipino male models
Filipino male television actors
Filipino people of Chinese descent
GMA Network (company) people
Star Magic personalities
Male actors from Quezon City
Benilde Blazers basketball players