DAVID LICAUCO never thought that his role as Fidel in GMA-7’s hit primetime series, “Maria Clara at Ibarra”, will truly boost his career.
His on-screen love team with Barbie Forteza as Klay have won them countless fans who call their tandem “Filay”.
He first came across as sexist and arrogant, but Klay changed him.
And not only that, his acting has never been generously praised as his portrayal of Fidel is reaping now.
In last week’s episode of the show, he and Klay are witnesses to the death of Rocco Nacino as Elias.
They find Rocco dying in the jungle after he was shot by the Guardia Civils who are pursuing him and Dennis Trillo as Crisostomo Ibarra, who is able to escape.
David as Fidel expressed his fear about Ibarra, who is his best friend. He is worried that Ibarra might be dying somewhere and he wants to help his friend.
He is also worried about the safety of Klay. Viewers expressed their admiration for David’s fine acting in this emotionally heartwrenching scene.
A netizen commented: “Hats off to David. Ramdam na ramdam mo yung emotions niya. Grabe. We know Barbie is a great actress but we didn’t expect David to be also this good!”
Another viewer said: “David is a good dramatic actor in the making. Ang galing ng crying scene niya, shedding a tear on command. He really owned the episode.”
“Being part of a hit show like ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ is one of the biggest blessings in my career,” says David, the certified chinito hunk when we interviewed him at his pictorial for his first endorsement with Barbie, Ishin food supplement for whitening and immune boosting.
“I’m overwhelmed by the favorable reaction of the viewing public to our love team ni Barbie.
"First time ko rin to get so much praise for my performance and I’m really overwhelmed by the positive comments I’m getting. Thanks to all who watch the show and appreciate our performance.
"And thanks to GMA for giving me this opportunity to be part of an unforgettable show like ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’.”
David says that the drama series will end on February 17 but they are now taping its Book 2. Since Book 1 focused on “Noli Me Tangere”, the sequel will now focus on Jose Rizal’s second novel, “El Filibusterismo”.
And since his love team with Barbie is a big part of the show’s enormous success, they will continue to play their respective role as Fidel and Klay in Book 2. David is also a good singer and he sang the Filay theme song, "Kailangan Kita", which is a hit with their fans.
He also feels jubilant to get his first endorsement with Barbie because of the huge success of their love team in “Maria Clara”.
They were chosen by Ishin owners Mario Miguel and Shirleen Bautista as the ambassadors of Ishin Food Supplement for skin whitening and immune boosting after they were seen with the product in their social media accounts.
And with their immense popularity now as Klay and Fidel, they will surely help boost the sales of the product already well by its millions of users.
“Ishin helps a lot when your job requires you to face the camera a lot,” says David.
“Its various variants help us in making our skin soft and smooth and its immune boosting properties are a big help to maintain our good health and resistance specially when we do tiring tapings and personal appearances.”
Ishin and its variants are now available at very low and reasonable prices online through Lazada and Shoppee.