David Alexander Sy Licauco (born June 15, 1994), more popularly known as David Licauco (), is a Filipino actor and model. He is known for portraying Malik for GMA

television drama In film and television show, television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or docudrama, semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humour, humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms t ...

Mulawin vs. Ravena ''Mulawin vs. Ravena'' is a 2017 Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series served as a sequel to the 2004 Philippine television series ''Mulawin'' and the 2005 Philippine film ''Mulawin: The Movie''. Directe ...

'' (2017) and Fidel de los Reyes y Maglipol in ''

Maria Clara at Ibarra ''Maria Clara at Ibarra'' () is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on the novels of José Rizal: '' Noli Me Tángere'' and '' El filibusterismo''. Directed by Zig Dulay, it stars Barbie Fo ...

'' (2022–2023) and dubbed as Pambansang Ginoo.

Early life

Born to Jolan Alexander Licauco and Eden Sy Licauco with

Chinese Filipino Chinese Filipinos; tl, Tsinoy, / Tsinong Pilipino, ; Philippine Hokkien , Mandarin (also known as Filipino Chinese in the Philippines) are Filipinos of Chinese descent, mostly of southern Fujianese ancestry, where the majority are bor ...

ancestry, he is the second eldest among his siblings. His siblings are composed of Elan Alyssandra, Jean Arianne May, and James Daniel. He is one of the grandchildren of Jaime Licauco, an internationally known parapsychologist, newspaper columnist, author, lecturer, hypnotherapist, and consultant. In 2014, he started his career as a model after he won 1st runner-up in Mr. and Ms. Chinatown. Licauco finished high school at

Grace Christian College Grace Christian College (GCC) (), formerly known as Grace Christian High School (GCHS), is an evangelical Protestant school that caters primarily to Chinese Filipino students and provides education from Pre-Nursery to College. It is situated in ...

, and then finished college at

De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (Filipino: ''Dalubhasaan ng De La Salle San Benildo;'' French:'' Collège De La Salle de Sainte Benilde''), also known as Benilde and abbreviated DLS–CSB or simply CSB, is a private, Catholic research c ...

with the degree of

Bachelor of Science A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University of ...

in Business Administration Major in Computer Applications last 2016.

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 Boracay (; often locally shortened to Bora) is a resort island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, located off the northwest coast of Panay. It has a total land area of , under the jurisdiction of three barangays in Malay, Akla ...

. He then landed a modelling job via ''Mr. and Ms. Chinatown'' on

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...

which opened him opportunities in modelling and acting. In the succeeding months, he walked for several fashion shows such as those of ''

Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan may refer to: Food and drink * Cosmopolitan (cocktail), also known as a "Cosmo" History * Rootless cosmopolitan, a Soviet derogatory epithet during Joseph Stalin's anti-Semitic campaign of 1949–1953 Hotels and resorts * Cosmopoli ...

'',

Coca-Cola Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. Originally marketed as a temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta ...

, and Bench, and graced magazine covers including '' Candy Magazine'', '' Chalk Magazine'', and ''

Garage Magazine ''Garage'' is a biannual publication dedicated to contemporary art and fashion. It was founded by Dasha Zhukova in 2011. Its name comes from the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow, which Zhukova opened in 2008. A Russian-language editio ...

''. 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 ''The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin'' is a 2014 Philippine comedy film written and directed by Wenn V. Deramas. It is the sequel to ''The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin''. The film is one of the official entries to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival ...

'' topbilled by

Vice Ganda Jose Marie Borja Viceral (born March 31, 1976), popularly known as Vice Ganda (; ), is a Filipino comedian, talk show host, television presenter, actor, entrepreneur, and singer. He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show '' It's ...

. In the succeeding year he made a cameo in the television series ''

FlordeLiza ''FlordeLiza'' is a 2015 Philippine daytime television drama aired on ABS-CBN's ''Kapamilya Gold'' afternoon block and worldwide on The Filipino Channel from January 19, 2015, to August 28, 2015, replacing ''Kapamilya Blockbusters'' and was r ...

'' aired on

followed by playing small roles in ''

Ipaglaban Mo! ''Ipaglaban Mo!'' (), also known as ''Kapag Nasa Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo!'' or ''Kapag May Katwiran... Ipaglaban Mo!'' was a Philippine television legal drama anthology show broadcast by Kapamilya Channel under ABS-CBN Entertainment, featuring dra ...

'', ''

Magpakailanman ''Magpakailanman'' ( en, Forevermore) is a Philippine television drama anthology show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Mel Tiangco, it premiered on December 2, 2002. The show concluded on December 27, 2007. It was replaced by the '' E.S.P.'' ...

'' and ''

Karelasyon ''Karelasyon'' () is a Philippine television drama anthology broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Carla Abellana, it premiered on April 11, 2015 on the network's Sabado Star Power line up replacing ''GMA Tales of Horror''. The show concluded on M ...

'' in 2016.

2017–2021: Rising popularity

In 2017, Licauco starred in the television

fantaserye Fantaserye or telefantasya is a genre of Philippine television programming which mixes soap opera, telenovela, fantasy, myth, magic and enchantment. The episodes are usually 30 minutes long and have a daily slot in the evening primetime row. Us ...

Mulawin vs Ravena ''Mulawin vs. Ravena'' is a 2017 Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series served as a sequel to the 2004 Philippine television series ''Mulawin'' and the 2005 Philippine film '' Mulawin: The Movie''. Dire ...

''. 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 ''Kapag Nahati ang Puso'' (International title: ''Broken Hearts'' / ) is a 2018 Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Gil Tejada Jr., it stars Bea Binene, Benjamin Alves, and Sunshine Cruz. It premie ...

'' and ''

TODA One I Love ''TODA One I Love'' (International title: ''To the One I Love'') is a 2019 Philippine television drama political romantic comedy series broadcast on GMA Network. Directed by Jeffrey Hidalgo and Nick Olanka, it stars Ruru Madrid and Kylie Pad ...

''. In 2021, Licauco received his first leading role in

GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...

's romantic comedy series ''

Heartful Café ''Heartful Café'' is a 2021 Philippine television drama romantic comedy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Mark Sicat dela Cruz, it stars Julie Anne San Jose and David Licauco, it premiered on April 26, 2021 on the network's Telebabad ...

.'' It premiered on April 26, 2021, on the network's Telebabad line up.

2022-present: Sparkle artist

In 2022, Licauco received his breakthrough role in ''

'' where he starred as Fidel de los Reyes, the mischievous friend of the character Crisostomo Ibarra (played by

Dennis Trillo Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho (born 12 May 1981), known professionally as Dennis Trillo (), is a Filipino actor, model and recording artist. He is currently a contract star of GMA Network. He was known for his role as Eric del Mundo in the firs ...

) and potential love interest of Klay Infantes (

Barbie Forteza Barbara Ambas Forteza (born July 31, 1997), professionally known as Barbie Forteza (), is a Filipino actress, comedian, dancer, singer, host, and vlogger. She is the recipient of several accolades, including both international and local award ...

). 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 Philippine media, a love team (or loveteam) is an actor and actress depicted to the public as a romantic couple. Some of these onscreen pairs have become couples in real life. Background The concept of love teams can be traced back to the ...

in the show entitled "Kailangan Kita", which was released on December 23, 2022. The theme song is under

GMA Music GMA Music (formerly known as Infiniti Music and GMA Records) is a subsidiary of GMA Network Inc. and is engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of music and concerts. GMA Music is a member of PARI and has the distinction of havin ...

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

Filmography

Film

Discography

* '' 2021 - It's the Best Thing (OST - Heartful Cafe)'' * '' 2022 - Kailangan Kita (#FiLay Theme Song - Maria Clara at Ibarra OST)''

Television series

Accolades and Recognitions

* New Movie Actor of the Year (2021) Because I Love You ''36th PMPC Star Awards'' * Most Oustanding Entrepreneur for Flavorful Comfort Food - Sobra Cafe Molito (2022) ''Asia's Pinnacle Awards 2022'' * Best Actor in A Supporting Role (2023)

''Platinum Stallion National Media Awards 2023''

References

External links

Sparkle GMA Artist Center profile
* * * {{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 personalities Place of birth missing (living people) Star Magic personalities