Enchong Dee

Biography

Ernest Lorenzo "Enchong" Velasquez Dee (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈentʃɔŋ di], born November 5, 1988) is a Filipino swimmer, actor, performer, model, host and entrepreneur. Dee is a contract artist of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, and came to prominence after starring in the TV drama Katorse in 2009. He is the younger brother of actor and model, AJ Dee.

== Early life and education == Enchong Dee was born on November 5, 1988, at Mother Seton Hospital in Naga, Camarines Sur, to Johnson Molina Dee and Maria Theresa Diño Velasquez. He has an older brother, Angel James Dee, who is also an actor, and two younger siblings, Isaiah Joseph and Angelika. As early as Grade 4, Dee was offered a scholarship by then-Naga mayor Jesse Robredo. He later became a member of the Philippine national swimming team at age 13 and competed in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila, the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, and the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos. Dee graduated from Naga Hope Christian School in 2005 and subsequently pursued higher education at De La Salle University in Manila, where he earned a degree in political science in 2009.

== Career ==

=== 2006–2008 === Dee made his first television appearance as a guest on the talk show Homeboy in 2006. He began landing acting roles shortly after, with Abt Ur Luv as his first show in 2006, in which he played Blue. In 2007, he appeared in Sineserye Presents: Palimos Ng Pag-ibig as Job, Komiks Presents: Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao as Mark, and Your Song Presents: Tulak ng Bibig as Marlon. He was also featured in several campaigns for brands such as Close Up, Bench, KFC, and Timex. Dee starred in two shows with Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson in 2008. First is the series My Girl, based on the South Korean drama of the same title, in which he played Nico Legaspi. And the second is Your Song: My Only Hope, as Jhune Crisostomo. This was also the year when Enchong started appearing regularly on the Sunday variety show ASAP.

=== 2009 === Dee started to endorse Coca-Cola in 2009 when he appeared in a TV commercial with Kim Chiu and Shaina Magdayao. He became a prominent ambassador of the brand for many years. In May 2009, the actor appeared in a supporting role in the series Komiks Presents: Nasaan Ka Maruja?, where he played Brian Lorenzo, Ross' brother. Concurrently, Enchong starred in Your Song Presents: Boystown with other members of the Gigger Boys – Robi Domingo, AJ Perez, Sam Concepcion, Arron Villaflor, Dino Imperial, and Chris Gutierrez. The weekly series, set in a reform center for juvenile street children, featured Dee as Arnel, a skilled swimmer whose talent presents him with opportunities beyond the institution. He also had a small role in the comedy film BFF: Best Friends Forever, starring Sharon Cuneta and Ai-Ai delas Alas, playing Paco. Later that year, Dee gained wider recognition for his role in Katorse, a television adaptation of the 1968 film, in which he starred opposite Erich Gonzales and Ejay Falcon. The series marked a turning point in his acting career. He portrayed Jojo Wenceslao, one of the love interests of Nene, played by Gonzales. Dee and Gonzales subsequently appeared together in the indie film Paano Ko Sasabihin?, a Cinema One Originals entry about two individuals who accidentally mistake each other for deaf-mutes. For this film, the duo was required to learn sign language.

=== 2010–2011 === The following year, he reunited with Erich and Ejay in the TV series Tanging Yaman. He portrayed Jomari Buenavista, the second son of the Vice President and one of Fina's love interests. A month after the show concluded, Dee joined the cast of Magkaribal as Caloy Javier. The drama series was topbilled by Bea Alonzo and Gretchen Barretto, and is set in the fashion world, featuring costuming and cameo appearances by local designers. In November 2010, Dee made a brief appearance in the series Your Song Presents: Andi, starring Andi Eigenmann.

That same year, he also appeared in two Star Cinema films: Sa 'yo Lamang, which earned him the Gawad PASADO award for Best Supporting Actor, and I Do, his first leading role in a major film, opposite Gonzales. In 2011, he worked with Gonzales again in the Philippine remake of Maria La Del Barrio, portraying Luis de la Vega, the love interest of Maria. Endorsement-wise, he became an ambassador of Jollibee, a popular fast-food chain in the Philippines.

=== 2012–2013 === Dee appeared in The Reunion, a teen romantic comedy film released in 2012, alongside Enrique Gil, Xian Lim, and Kean Cipriano. The film follows four young men whose lives are altered after attending their high school reunion. He also starred in The Strangers, his first entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival, opposite Julia Montes and Enrique Gil. He played Dolfo, a mysterious young man whom the villagers suspect of malevolence. From 2012 to 2013, he played Ethan, one of the main characters in the teleserye Ina, Kapatid, Anak with Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, and Xian Lim. The series was among ABS-CBN's highest-rated shows in 2013. In the same year, Dee starred in the blockbuster comedy-drama film Four Sisters and a Wedding as CJ Salazar. The four sisters – played by Bea Alonzo, Toni Gonzaga, Shaina Magdayao, and Angel Locsin – attempt to stop his wedding to Princess, portrayed by Angeline Quinto. He also appeared in two other comedy-drama films that year: Tuhog, with Eugene Domingo and Leo Martinez, and Call Center Girl, with Pokwang and Jessy Mendiola. All three films were produced by Star Cinema. In July 2013, he worked with Julia and Enrique again in the television series Muling Buksan Ang Puso.