By Jemuel Cainglet Salterio
The romantic-comedy, “That Kind of Love,” the sophomore directorial job of CC Camarillo, is “glossy and well-written.” That was the description of male lead David Licauco.
“Budget wasn’t a problem,” added David. “The production worked well on this film. Pinaghirapan talaga at pinag-isipan. The film turned out very well made. As a businessman, you would think of the budget.
“I felt the film had high budget. The producers really invested in this film. Kami naman bayad na, so that will not be our concern. But I want to help our producers because they trusted us to do this film. I think maganda naman talaga. Feel-good ang movie.”
David is paired with his perennial TV partner Barbie Forteza in “That Kind of Love,” their first project for the big screen.
“I’m doing so much really,” admitted David. “Yesterday, I had a taping, then I had a meeting, too that ended up late. Then I’m here for our media conference. I had to study my script. Then work out.
“Sometimes, I also wonder how I do all those things. Being a showbiz celebrity certainly helps me in my business. Although I shouldn’t rely on that solely.”
David is opening a new restaurant at BGC this year that brings his restaurants to six. “I’m also looking at SM Baguio, I will open at SM Clark and SM Manila.
“I’m the type of businessman who really does all the leg work. I’m not just an investor. Hands on, I’m the CEO. I do everything, from operations to marketing. I don’t just give out my money to start the business. I’m a full-fledged businessman.”
Since he started investing in business, David has had his ups and downs, too. “I started a boxing gym, but I lost money there,” he shared. “Nag-franchise ako before, I lost money there. Now, I invested in restaurants and construction.
“From those failures you will learn. If you didn’t fail, you will not also win in life. As long as you have an open mind to learn the business, you will be better.”
David acknowledges being an actor plays an important part in being a businessman. “I really need showbiz in the businesses that I invest in,” he said. “I meet with big time people. I don’t ask help from anyone.
“Like a typical businessman, you start in corporate, then you meet people along the way. You build your connections. I did the opposite. I didn’t start in the corporate. That’s why I need the artista image. When they talk to me, they always think, artista ako.
“Mahal ko ang acting that’s why I always try to do good. There’s not a day when I don’t try to do well. This is my career. I will not be in any business if I didn’t enter showbiz.”
In five years, David sees himself settling down. He is always “taken,” that’s why he is seeing a non-showbiz girl lately. “Pero ako, career muna,” he said.
In terms of how David is perceived as a person, who comes from a comfortable family, sporty and has his own businesses, he does not seriously think about it.
“People will think you don’t have problems,” David said. “You are not emotional, [a] nonchalant, stoic in a way, with hardly any emotions.
“Actually, I am a softie inside. When I’m in a relationship, I’m the only one who’s crying. I’m clingy. Grabe akong mag-effort. Kausap ko lang ‘yung kapatid ko, umiiyak na ‘ko. When I was younger, I controlled those kinds of things.
“Some girls thought a guy crying is a sign of weakness. But I’m older now. More mature. I don’t really care what other people will think about when I cry. As long as I’m not doing anything bad, [I can] just be myself.”
When David was only 22, he was a “hopeless romantic” who followed a girl he was courting in Korea. He slept in a public toilet waiting for the girl. “I didn’t have money,” David recalled.
“The second day, I rented an affordable room. I still didn’t have money at that time. I even bought her flowers. I was courting her. I wanted to prove, this is what I could do. This is what I could offer. I’d move mountains for you. But sadly, I didn’t end up with that girl.”
The second in a brood of four, David was surprised to get all the attention and fame when he’s an introvert. “It takes a lot of energy away from me to talk to a lot of people. I appreciate intimate interviews because I change in front of media conferences.
“I get stressed when there are many people around me. I don’t see myself as an actor or a popular star. For me, this is only work. Many people know you. But that’s not in my head. Of course, I am not perfect.
“They don’t know that I’m tired. I have sleep apnea. I am an introvert. They are not aware about all those things. No regrets about entering the showbiz industry. I’m really, really happy with what I’m doing.”
