David Licauco

Biography

David Alexander Sy Licauco (Tagalog: [ˈdeɪvɪd lɪˈkaʊko]: 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 life and education == 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. 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.

== Acting and modelling 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. Licauco did not initially intend to pursue a career in entertainment. In a March 2023 interview for GMA Network's Kapuso Profiles, he stated that he did not consider himself "good-looking" enough for the industry during his youth, while describing himself as having been an "ordinary basketball player" who did not envision becoming an actor.

=== 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 ventures ==

=== Male pageantry === Prior to modeling and acting, Licauco joined a male pageant and won Mr. Chinatown 1st runner up in 2014. This opened doors for him to join the modeling and showbiz industries.