Born to Jolan Alexander Licauco and Eden Sy Licauco with Chinese Filipino ancestry, he is the second eldest among his siblings. His siblings are Elan Alyssandra, Jean Arianne May, and James Daniel; the latter two are both volleyball players and have previously played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. He is one of the grandchildren of Jaime Licauco, an internationally known parapsychologist, newspaper columnist, author, lecturer, hypnotherapist, and consultant.[9] In 2014, he started his career as a model after he won 1st runner-up in Mr. and Ms. Chinatown.[10]
On April 23, 2024, Licauco revealed on 24 Oras that he would undergo surgery for his sleep apnea that he had been enduring since July 2023.[12] In May 2024, he successfully underwent through radiofrequency ablation.[13]
Career
2014–2016: Career beginnings
Prior to becoming a TV actor and a professional model, Licauco started modelling inside the campus for several school event posters.[14] His modelling flair was discovered in the shores of Boracay.[15] He then landed a modelling job via Mr. and Ms. Chinatown on ABS-CBN which opened him opportunities in modelling and acting.[16] In the succeeding months, he walked for several fashion shows such as those of Cosmopolitan, Coca-Cola, and Bench,[17] and graced magazine covers including Candy Magazine, Chalk Magazine, and Garage Magazine.[18]
In all honesty, Licauco never dreamed of entering Philippine showbiz and becoming a star. In his March 2023 interview for GMANetwork.com's Kapuso Profiles, he admitted that growing up, he never considered himself "good-looking" enough to be in showbiz. "I was just an ordinary basketball player na tamad-tamad, so ’di ko lang talaga inisip talaga ’yon,”[21]
2017–2021: Rising popularity
In 2017, Licauco starred in the television fantaseryeMulawin vs Ravena. After landing the role of Malik, Licauco's popularity skyrocketed, launching him into stardom. Because of this, he landed consecutive roles in the television series Kapag Nahati ang Puso and TODA One I Love.[22][23]
In 2021, Licauco received his first leading role in GMA Network's romantic comedy series Heartful Café. It premiered on April 26, 2021, on the network's Telebabad line up.[24][25]
2022–present: Breakthrough
In 2022, Licauco received his breakthrough role in Maria Clara at Ibarra where he starred as Fidel de los Reyes, the mischievous friend of the character Crisostomo Ibarra (played by Dennis Trillo) and potential love interest of Klay Infantes (Barbie Forteza). His performance was tagged by various media outlets as the "New Philippine Superstar not for his boy-next-door looks, but on-point acting skills."[26] Licauco also sang the official theme song for the FiLay love team in the show entitled "Kailangan Kita", which was released on December 23, 2022. The theme song is under GMA Music and GMA Playlist.[27]
On November 22, 2022, Licauco renewed his contract with Sparkle GMA Artist Center.[28]
In 2019, Licauco, as entrepreneur, opened his first restaurant, Turks Shawarma in Valenzuela, Metro Manila. He is the president and CEO of DJA Fitlife Corporation, Kuya Korea Corporation, MAD Business Group, and As Nature Intended. He expanded his food and on-line businesses with His Sobra Comfort Filipino Food delivery rising to Sóbra Café in Ayala Alabang. He founded Kuya Korea and 25th Burgers chains.[31]
Aside from restaurants, he also owns a fit-out construction company in Metro, Manila, Alpha Fitness Club, a 3-in-1 gym along Taft Avenue and Blue Water Day Spa in Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons.
[32]
