David Licauco
Kapuso hunk David Licauco is not one to get affected by the supposed network wars, especially as his own TV series “Maria Clara at Ibarra” on GMA Network is being pitted against ABS-CBN’s “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” on primetime.
The two primetime teleserye were often being compared because of their social relevance, riveting storylines, and superb acting from the cast, which had viewers wondering which of the two shows would prevail on top of the ratings game.
In an interview with entertainment reporters, Licauco said that for him, the two show’s head-to-head TV screening is a non-issue since they have their own markets to cater to — theirs being a historical adaptation with a bit of fantasy and romance, while “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” has its action sequences.
“Different naman yung market, e. Kumbaga, yung Maria Clara, I feel nasa Gen Z side, and pinapanood nila yun because of the history, because of the romantic side… Pero yung sa FPJ, pinapanood siguro yun dahil… ano ba ang story nu’n? Hindi ko alam. Action siya, e. Of course si Coco Martin yun and malaki na yung napatunayan niya,” explained the fan-favorite guinoo (gentleman).
“Ako for me, hindi naman ako na-challenge o na-insecure kasi I feel na na-build naman namin yung market namin, kumbaga yung mga viewers namin… As long as we’re making people happy and nakakalimutan ang mga trabaho at problema nila, okay na rin yun. Whether manood sila ng ABS or GMA, okay na yun,” he claimed.
“Maria Clara at Ibarra” has Dennis Trillo and Julie Anne San Jose playing the lead roles based on Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere, while Barbie Forteza’s Klay is a girl from the modern world thrusted into the historical period, and who finds herself drawn to Licauco’s Fidel as much as to the people whose story she is becoming a part of.
Both Klay and Fidel are additional characters who are not present in the national hero’s novel, nor in its sequel, El Filibusterismo. But because of their onscreen chemistry, the show’s producers decided to extend the show a few more weeks to flesh out their “FiLay” pairing before transitioning to its “El Fili” arc.
Self-improvement
Licauco said that he is grateful and overwhelmed that fans are appreciative of their efforts to make the show better, that’s why he is doing his part to improve himself and hone his acting skills further.
“Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming for me. I would say na I’m an introverted person. But then, you know, I’m already here, so I’m just taking it day by day,” he said when asked for his reaction to the surge in his career following the success of his show.
“Nagulat ako na ganu’n ang success ng Maria Clara at Ibarra because at the start, I was just a supporting character, e. Tapos, eventually, naging main character siya, mas doon ako nagulat. Kumbaga, sobrang tinanggap ng mga tao and the hype is like very on top talaga,” he said.
Rather than dwell too much on his current success as an actor, Licauco said that he went full steam into self-improvement by going into acting workshops, and in maintaining his fit physique.
“I went on workshops. Personal workshops talaga, I paid for that myself. All hard work lang. Siyempre, matagal ko siyang pinaghirapan kaya nakakatuwa. Ngayon na napapansin na yung acting abilities ko, parang gusto ko pang galingan sa mga susunod na projects. I try not to think about it. But sometimes, I ask my manager kung ano yung next plan, kung ano ang puwedeng gawin. Siyempre, it’s hard to sustain a career like this. I don’t wanna it to be a one-hit-wonder kind of success,” he said.
“Of course, I have to take care of my body by working out while waiting for the next opportunity,” he said.