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David Licauco marks 10 years in showbiz with a lot of gratitude
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For David Licauco, a decade in the spotlight didn't call for a gala or a big stage; it asked for a good conversation.
To mark his 10th anniversary in showbiz, the actor chose an intimate dinner, inviting only close friends and family so he could actually sit, talk, and celebrate the small, steady wins.
The evening felt deliberately low-key: soft lighting, three long tables where laughter and stories flowed as easily as the whisky, and a mood that favored depth over fanfare. Titled “A Decade of David: A Regal Thanksgiving” and prepared by Chivas, the curated dinner at Gallery by Chele in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, gave the night a grown-up warmth--a fitting backdrop for an anniversary that, for David, is less about fireworks and more about reflection.
Looking back, David calls his career “steady.” “It was really tough at the start, but eventually, I got the hang of it,” he told GMANetwork.com. “It was really tough at the start, but eventually, I got the hang of it.”
He then underscored that beginnings are the hardest part, "Or should I say that leap of faith to just take the step. Sometimes, 'bahala na actually works'. Along the way, there will always be roadblocks, but you just have to keep going and always remember why you're doing it. I don't have regrets, I'm just grateful for the journey."
That gratitude shows up in how he approaches people and work.
A self-described introvert, David says showbiz forced him to step out of his shell. Now, before events, he “adjust[s his] mindset” and reminds himself that “it's not really about me -- it's about connecting with people and understanding that, at the end of the day, we're all just trying to live our lives.”
It's a lesson he applies both on set and at the dinner table. Which is exactly why he kept the celebration small.
“I chose a simple celebration because I wanted to actually talk to everyone there,” he explained. For David, it's a choice rooted in family-style birthdays from his childhood and a desire to make the milestone meaningful rather than showy. Surrounded by loved ones, the night felt intimate and intentional.
Related gallery: David Licauco's roles in movies
David's ambitions remain grounded: above all, he wants a stable career. He also shared creative wishes, “I'd love to do a really good drama movie.” And for TV, he hopes for a sequel to Maria Clara at Ibarra -- and a broader goal of using his platform to inspire others.
Professionally, he's already balancing acting with several business projects, and that juggling act informs how he prepares for upcoming work.
On his next big project, the series Never Say Die, David admits the practical challenge: “Everything. Being away from acting for eight months is tough because when you come back, you need to reset and shift into 'acting mode' again.”
With businesses to run and a role to inhabit, he says it's about balance, “step by step.”
By the end of the regal thanksgiving dinner, the tone was quiet but hopeful: no grand pronouncements, just a man who's careful with his time, grateful for the climb, and ready to keep building. He raised a glass to the next chapter: steady, intentional, and perhaps a little bit wiser.
Meanwhile, take a look at some moments from the intimate thanksgiving dinner:
