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, 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.

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.

Business 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.

Sports career Licauco has played basketball. Both the typical 5x5 format and the 3x3 variant. He was a varsity player for De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the 2010s. Along with Louie Vigil, Gryann Mendoza and Tosh Sesay, Licauco formed the Taho Story A Team which played in the two-day 2025 Pilipinas United 3x3 League. He was also brand ambassador for the namesake taho business of the team.

Personal life Licauco previously dated actress Sue Ramirez and model and flight attendant Beatrix Santos (2019–2023).

In June 2024, Licauco confirmed that he was taken but did not disclose the name of his non-showbiz girlfriend in Fast Talk with Boy Abunda. He confirmed that he was single and had broken-up with his mystery girlfriend on January 1, 2025.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2014The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin David Guest role 2019 Because I Love You Rael Tansinco Lead role 2023 Without You Axel 2024 G! LU Patrick That Kind of Love Adam "Mr. Perfect" de Dios 2025Samahan ng mga MakasalananRev. Sam

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2015 Flordeliza Simon Guest role 2016 Ipaglaban Mo! John's friend Magpakailanman: Ang Sundalong Magiting Sgt. Canega Karelasyon Teammate 2017 Sa Piling ni Nanay SPO2 Alexander Jesuitas Karelasyon Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa Aiden Mulawin vs. Ravena Malik Supporting role 2018 Kapag Nahati ang Puso Zach Yee Magpakailanman: Nakawin Natin ang Bawat Sandali Aron Guest role Dear Uge: Isang Takong, Isang Tanong Andrew Salvador 2019 One Hugot Away: Walang Label Ben Main role TODA One I Love Kobe Generoso Supporting role Wish Ko Lang!: My Dream Debut Guest role Tadhana: Obsession Manny Wish Ko Lang: Against All Odds Niño 2020 Go! Marikina Aldrin Kho 2021 Magpakailanman Richard Yap Guest role Heartful Café Ace Nobleza Main role Dear Uge: Shout Up Fiel Guest role 2022 Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune Anton Chan Main role Regal Studio Presents: Isn't She LovelyStephenGuest role 2022 – 2023 Maria Clara at Ibarra Fidel Reyes y Maglipol Supporting role (Noli Me Tangere arc) / Main role (El Filibusterismo arc) 2023 Maging Sino Ka Man Ricardo "Carding" Macario Main role 2024 Pulang Araw Hiroshi Tanaka 2025 Beauty Empire Javier Guest role Sanggang-Dikit FR Andrew Dizon 2026 Never Say Die Main role

Discography Soundtrack appearances + List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released and album name Title Year Album "It's The Best Thing" 2021 Heartful Café OST under GMA Music "Kailangan Kita" 2022 Maria Clara at Ibarra OST under GMA Playlist, Inc and GMA Music

Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result NWSSU Students' Choice Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor in a Primetime Teleserye Maria Clara at Ibarra Platinum Stallion National Media Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2021 New Movie Actor of the Year Because I Love You VP Choice Awards 2023 Supporting Actor of the Year Maria Clara at Ibarra