David Licauco reveals real score with Barbie Forteza, gets candid about his relationships

David Licauco opened up about his relationships in his first one-on-one interview with Jessica Soho on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho."

The Pambansang Ginoo candidly said that he is ready to love again and shared the qualities he is looking for in a girl.

"Gusto ko po 'yung caring, smart, someone who is self-aware, someone who has dreams and goals, and someone who will support and accept my job, myself and personality," David said. 

["I like someone who is caring, smart, self-aware—someone with dreams and goals, and someone who will support and accept my job, myself, and my personality."]

"Mahilig po ako sa chinita na hindi masyado chinita," he added.

["I like girls with nice eyes."]

In relationships, David said he is the type to love somebody in "todo" ways.

"Kung nais mo akong utusan na ipagsibak kayo ng kahoy, o ipag-igib kayo ng tubig sa batis o balon, gagawin ko 'yun!" 

["If you want me to chop wood for you, or fetch water from the stream or well, I will do it."]

"Gusto ko 'yung gano'n 'yung binibigay sa babae lahat. Ipapakita mo 'yung love mo," he added.

["I like it when someone gives their all to a woman like that– it really shows their love."]

On JakBie

David said that he was not the reason behind the breakup of his loveteam partner Barbie Forteza and her longtime boyfriend Jak Roberto.

"We never texted before ni Barbie nu'ng sila ni Jak. Never kaming nag-usap ng anything personal. 'Pag nasa trabaho lang nag-usap."

["Barbie and I never texted when she was still with Jak. We never discussed anything personal—we only spoke when we were at work."]

David also clarified his relationship with Barbie.

"We're really good friends po," he said.

He also credits their strong loveteam to Barbie's acting skills. 

"Kasi magaling si Barbie mag-acting, 'di ba? And siguro, we're just really blessed to be given this nice of a project," he said.

["Because Barbie is a great actress—and maybe we're just really blessed to be given such a good project."]

David added, "Nonchalant po kasi ako. Si Barbie naman, very expressive on the other hand. So baka gusto ng mga tao 'yung gano'n dynamics."

["I'm nonchalant, while Barbie is very expressive. Maybe people are drawn to that kind of dynamic."]

Asked if his on-screen chemistry with Barbie will work off-screen, David answered. "I think I'm the type of person who does not force anything. I mean, who knows? I'm not closing my doors."

He added, "And of course, si Barbie rin po ay kakagaling lang sa relationship. I think nasa stage po siya ng life niya na you know, she is focusing on herself. Same with me. I think it's better to really focus on ourselves."

["Barbie also just came out of a relationship. I think she's at a point in her life where she is focusing on herself. Same with me. I think it's better to really focus on ourselves.]

Actor's hugot

David has made waves for his portrayals as Fidel in "Maria Clara at Ibarra," Carding in "Maging Sino Ka Man," Hiroshi in "Pulang Araw," and right now, Sam in the movie "Samahan ng Mga Makasalanan."

To portray his roles well, David said he has that actor's "hugot."

"To be fair, iyakin po talaga ako," he said.

["To be fair, I cry easily."]

David recalled a time when he brought his sister to Australia. "Naiyak po ako. Kasi, 'Uy, ito 'yung baby girl ko dati ha. Tapos ngayon, big girl na.'"

["I cried. She used to be my baby girl and now, she's all grown up."]

He added, "Sa relationships, 'di ba? Sometimes, kapag na-o-overwhelm lang ako sa nangyayari, for example, sobrang mahal mo 'yung babae, naiyak na ako."

["In relationships, I sometimes get overwhelmed by everything that's happening. Like, when I love a woman so much– I just end up crying."]

David also said that he is proud to call himself a crybaby.

"This is me. I love myself. I accept myself for who I am," he said.

In fact, he had cried over five girls from five serious relationships.

"Lapitin ako ng relationship," he said. "May mga iba po na sila 'yung nang-iwan. Mayroon din iba na ako 'yung nang-iwan."

["Relationships just seem to find me. There were times when they were the ones who left, and times when I was the one who walked away."]

Losing his best friend

However, David's biggest "hugot" would be losing his best friend in a car accident in 2013. They were on the way home from Tagaytay when they hit a gas truck.

"Kumalahati 'yung kotse. Nasa harapan po ako. I had a seatbelt injury. I couldn't breathe," he said.

["The car was split in half. I was in the front, and I suffered a seatbelt injury. I couldn't breathe."]

"Kapag bata ka po, ayaw n'yo mag-seatbelt kasi parang hassle eh. And then, may parking boy. For some reason, nandu'n siya sa side ko. And then, sabi niya sa akin, 'Sir, seatbelt po ah. Ingat lang po kayo.' That stuck in me," he added. "Nag-seatbelt po ako. And kung hindi po dahil sa parking boy, eh, wala po tayong interview ngayon."

["When you're young, you don't want to wear a seatbelt because it feels like a hassle. Then, there was this parking attendant. For some reason, he stood by my side and said, 'Sir, please wear your seatbelt. Be careful.' That stuck with me. I wore my seatbelt after that. If it weren't for that parking boy, well, we wouldn't be having this interview now."]

David said he also remembered his friend getting his phone for the actor to call his mom. "Pero he got into a coma and eventually passed away."

"The seatbelt saved my life," David added.

David said the trauma caused him to stop playing basketball because of his injury, and also because "'yung best friend ko na nawala, he really pushes me to play basketball every day."

["My best friend who passed away, really pushed me to play basketball every day."]

The actor said he is also okay now and owes his second life to his guardian angel. The experience also changed him.

"I think it's just a matter of valuing your friends and family, your loved ones because you never know. Baka tomorrow may mawala po," he said. "I think it's always nice to let your friends and family know that you love them and you care for them."

["I think it's just a matter of valuing your friends and family, your loved ones because you never know. Someone might be gone, and it's always nice to let your friends and family know that you love them and you care for them."] —JCB, GMA Integrated News