Emilio Daez hopes to make a positive impact, one smile at a time
Point and click your camera at Emilio Daez at any given time, and you’ll likely catch him smiling, laughing with his head tipped back, or just about to break into one.
For his warmth and charm, fans see him as the good ol’ boy next door. For his kindness and emotional maturity, he’s often described as a walking green flag. For his fun, unpretentious, and at times, goofy nature, his energy is likened to that of a golden retriever. And maybe, really, he’s just all of the above.
But whatever you want to call him, know that this rising star will always reply with a ready chuckle. The fact that people are talking about him at all is already “incredibly humbling,” he says—so he doesn’t mind the word associations. In fact, he welcomes them.
“Being called a golden retriever means you’re full of energy and are very positive, and I think that’s very right about me. I honestly love that comparison!” he tells Lifestyle Inquirer. “I’m just being me, and if being me is being a golden retriever, then I’m happy.”
Boundless positivity
We caught up with him at his recent contract signing as a new KFC endorser, which also doubled as a mini get-together with fans. There, he looked like a giddy birthday boy—showing off and putting on merch, and singing with guests, even if it meant laughing through lyrics he couldn’t quite follow.
He doesn’t seem to have a concept of cringe, while doing the silliest things with genuine fun and earnestness—which makes him all the more endearing to his supporters. He’s pretty good at roasting himself, too. “Naku, umaraw na, baka umulan pa,” he jokingly says of his singing.
It may be hard to believe, but he insists that he doesn’t even have any pet peeves. And even if he does end up getting miffed or sees something that ticks him off, he won’t bother showing it. “I’ll always try to see the bright side despite the problems around me,” he says.
But where exactly does he draw his seemingly unlimited supply of good vibes? It all comes from his family.
“I really want to leave a positive impact wherever I go because I’m fortunate enough to have been nurtured in a loving environment by a loving family,” relates Daez, who comes from a family of businessmen, professionals, and celebrities, including his elder brother and actor-host Mikael Daez.
“I want to give that same energy to other people because I feel I’ve been very blessed and it’s only right to share it with them,” the 25-year-old actor adds.
Strike while the iron is hot
Giving back also means making the most out of the opportunities coming his way after his breakthrough stint in the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Celebrity Collab Edition.”
Daez entered “Bahay ni Kuya” with nothing but 10 fans and a smile. He went out with that same smile—but this time, with new friends and a wealth of new learnings that he can share to a full-fledged fanbase of thousands.
“Before PBB, I had a fanmeet with 10 people…But now I’m shocked. My heart is filled with joy seeing the fans’ support,” he says. “It’s amazing that from reading their comments online, I can now see their faces and meet them in person.”
Daez currently stars in the volleyball-themed romantic comedy series “Love at First Spike,” alongside his “PBB” housemate River Joseph. He’s also part of the noontime variety program “ASAP,” and co-hosts the companion online show of the singing contest “Idol Kids Philippines.”
On Aug. 10, he will reunite with the rest of his “PBB” family at a major fan event dubbed, “The Big ColLove Fancon” at the Araneta Coliseum. What’s more, there are other future projects that he’s still not allowed to disclose.
In any case, Daez plans to strike while the iron is hot. He wants to play more leading man roles and continue with hosting. As a film buff, he wants to explore more genres like drama, horror, and especially action—anything he can audition for.
“Since I’m new, I try to accept whatever projects resonate with me,” he says. “I’m hungry and ready to take on this new path with intensity. I’m excited about what the future holds.”
Not all smiles and sunshine
Daez has been in the business for only a year, and all the nice things he’s experiencing right now could very well just be part of a honeymoon period. “Of course, one day, there will be challenges and negativity, but I’m ready for it,” he says. “I know that the good will always outweigh the bad.”
Besides, he didn’t quit his job as an investment banker and set aside his dreams of becoming a CEO, just to take showbiz lightly. Life threw him a curveball that led him to another place, but one he’s just as passionate about. The career shift he made was a big risk, he says, but he’s determined to see his decision pay off.
It helps to have Mikael—someone already well-versed in the ins and outs of the entertainment industry—to guide him on his journey. “He’s my number one supporter. I don’t think I’d be here in show biz if he didn’t exist,” he says. “We share the same values because we grew up in the same house.”
“Of course, we’re both handsome!” he quips, adding that he can always count on his family to have his back. “Spending time with them is my favorite way to recharge. I love them so much because they’ve been supporting me every step of the way.”
He might be all smiles on the outside, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. “After ‘PBB,’ I feel I’m more steadfast with my beliefs, values, and what I want to achieve in my life and career,” adds Daez, who graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in management engineering.
And when in doubt, Daez always goes back to a simple truth: It always pays to be kind. “One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned so far is to treat everyone well. Just be a good person,” he says, “because it’s the right thing to do.”
