David Licauco has spent the last 10 years becoming one of the most dedicated and hardworking actors in Philippine show business.
Licauco started his acting career in the mid-aughts taking on guest and supporting roles, with his biggest appearance being on GMA’s 2017 drama fantasy series, Mulawin vs. Ravena. Since then, the actor has built a name for himself starring as the leading man in the teleserye Heartful Café and as the mischievous Fidel in the series Maria Clara at Ibarra.
He has also branched out into the world of entrepreneurship with ventures like Sobra Cafe, Kuya Korea, and his wellness brand As Nature Intended. As of writing, Licauco has been appointed the brand ambassador and face of Chivas Regal PH, a position in which he hopes to introduce the brand to a new generation. “Tradition and evolution can coexist,” Licauco told Rolling Stone Philippines.
From reflecting on how a decade of show business has changed him to sharing how he’s always done his best to include his loved ones in his journey towards success, Licauco brings his wisdom, charm, and steadiness to this latest episode of The Rolling Stone Philippines Interview. Below are excerpts from her interview, which is now available to stream on Rolling Stone Philippines’ YouTube channel.
On Living Thoughtfully
“Pre-pandemic, I would live life mindlessly. Hindi ko alam na ano ‘yong ginagawa ko. Pero now, I try my best to be mindful. Parang, ‘Okay, I’m here.’ If you take that [mindset] in every aspect of your life, you can be successful.”
“I’m also very much into self-improvement. I come from a Chinese family where hindi ka masyadong nag-uusap. Pati sa school before… nahihiya ako. But now, I’m in showbiz. I just keep on learning to try my best. I am aware na ito ‘yong kailangan ko matunan. How will I get to that goal na gumaling ako at something? I have that framework all the time.”
The Significance of Entering Your 30s
“Pag-30 ka, parang [you feel like], ‘Oh, kailangan ko ng maging ganito.’ I feel like it’s a biological thing, but also a placebo psychology thing. The number feels significant. Pero when I turned 31, I realized na, ‘Actually, 30 is not too bad.’ Nasa ‘yo pa rin eh, diba? If you’re getting there with ‘yong goals mo in life, galing ko okay lang eh. Parang hindi naman kailangan mag-worry.”
“It’s weird, [turning 30] is like another coming of age. Turning 31… that comes with a sense of responsibility. Parang everything now feels more intentional. For example, mayroon ako upcoming teleserye. So that teleserye will take probably six months to a year [to make]. So tingnan ko na kung ano ‘yong magiging cost nun. Maybe mawalan ako ng time for business, mawalan ako ng time sa sarili ko, ng time sa family.”
“So I have a timeline now. As much as I wanna enjoy life and just be free, pero feeling ko it’s still nice to have a plan. Feeling ko mas careful lang ako sa lahat ng decisions ko.”
What to Walk Away From
“I’m willing to walk away from anyone or anything that forces me to be someone I’m not. I’m not willing to compromise anymore. I mean, I can be empathetic: pero if makross ‘yong boundaries ko, hindi na.”
“I’m still getting there. I’m still learning to say no. I feel like saying no is a form of self-respect. I’m learning, but I’m not yet there. Sometimes I’m too nice to my friends. It’s nice to be nice to everybody: pero minsan, kailangan mo rin isipin ‘yong sarili mo.”
Including Loved Ones in the Journey
“I would say that I’m not selfish in everything that I’ve learned along the way, na pagiging athlete, businessman, artista. Gusto ko na kasama [ang friends ko] sa success ko.”
“Or well, not necessarily success, kasi iba ‘yong success for other people, right? But [advice] I feel na would resonate with them, na would help them sa wants nila in life… I would gladly share my knowledge with them.”
Watch the full interview on Rolling Stone Philippines’ YouTube channel.
Rolling Stone Philippines November 2025 Issue, Now Available at SariSari Shopping
