David Licauco’s unlikely stop this Holy Week
For David Licauco, Holy Week is typically spent with family in Bicol, where his mother hails from, or they embark on a Visita Iglesia, making the rounds of seven churches from Manila to Quezon City or Makati to Tagaytay.
“It’s just nice to have those traditions because you’re reminded of how you were as a child. Things are different now—one of my sisters is in Australia and my other sister already has a kid. That’s why it’s nice to do those things,” the actor, the second child in a brood of four, told Lifestyle. “I think what’s really important is being with the family and worshipping our God.”
This year, however, the actor is adding a new, unlikely stop to his itinerary: movie theaters.
After a quiet week of personal and spiritual introspection, why not end the occasion on a more lighthearted note filled with laughter? While local Lenten programming traditionally focuses on biblical films and somber drama specials, GMA Pictures is flipping the script with “Samahan ng mga Makasalanan,” a satirical comedy flick starring Licauco and directed by Benedict Mique.
Showing in cinemas on April 19—the day before Easter—the movie presents a fun and riotous take on redemption and the struggle between good and evil. Licauco plays Sam, a deacon tasked to reform the residents of Santo Kristo, which the synopsis describes as a “town so sinful it would make Sodom and Gomorrah blush.”
For the most part, Deacon Sam gets the job done, transforming thieves into delivery riders, gossipmongers into newscasters. But then an unexpected dilemma—with the beautiful Mila entering the picture, Sam finds himself flirting with temptation.
While the premise sounds outrageous, the message is simple and heartwarming. With hope and faith, people—regardless of their circumstances in life—can always start anew.
“In life, it’s okay to make mistakes … The important thing is that we understand the reason behind our actions, and make sure that we learn from them,” Licauco said.
A self-confessed introvert, the 30-year-old actor attended Grace Christian College in high school and, at some point in his life, went to church twice a week. He was actually religious growing up, Licauco said. He’s “not loud or super expressive.” And so he had a priest’s or a deacon’s stereotypical demeanor—dignified and self-effacing—down pat.
Acting challenge
It was the comedy aspect that left him with the most to ponder. “The challenge is, how do I play a role that’s usually seen as quiet and relaxed and still make him entertaining?” said Licauco, who has had more experience with heavy dramas (“Pulang Araw”), romcoms (“Maria Clara at Ibarra”), and action (“Maging Sino Ka Man”).
And being surrounded by far more experienced comedic actors like Chariz Solomon, Betong Sumaya, Jun Sabayton, and Buboy Villar only added to the pressure he was feeling at first. But he isn’t one to back down from a challenge, especially if he knows that the experience could potentially benefit him as an actor.
“As long as the story is interesting and has a purpose, I will grab that opportunity,” he said.
While he didn’t expect himself to go punchline for punchline with his costars, he knew that he could feed off—and make the most of—the comedic energy they gave.
“I had to stop myself from overthinking and just make sure that everything felt light, that I was smiling and reacting well to their jokes,” he pointed out.
Besides, he said, a timid, often bemused character tagging along with a zany motley crew makes for a “cute dynamic.” “I watched many films and series like ‘Itaewon Class,’ where Park Seo-joon’s character is surrounded by funny and quirky personalities,” he said.
And if there’s one thing Licauco has going for him, it’s his natural charm—something Mique knew he had to take advantage of.
“During filming, people screamed whenever he passed by. He can win over a crowd with his smile alone. That’s a big deal because not all actors have that kind of charisma,” the director told Lifestyle.
“I also watched his vlogs and I saw that David actually has a fun, comedic side to him that I thought I could tap into and expand,” he added.
Playful
True enough, Licauco’s seldom-seen playfulness and impish humor can break through his nonchalant countenance when you least expect it, and sometimes, without him even realizing it, like that time he described how he asks forgiveness for his sins.
“I pray and say, ‘Sorry, Lord, ‘di ko na uulitin.’ And then the next time I say again, ‘Sorry ulit Lord, ‘di ko na uulitin,’” Licauco deadpanned, drawing laughter from onlookers caught off-guard by his random joke.
Another theme the movie touches on is the importance of the company you keep and the impact they have on your life. While he meets new people all the time in showbiz, Licauco’s circle has remained pretty much similar to how it was before stardom—save for a few newfound friends, like his perennial screen partner, Barbie Forteza.
“I choose my friends, so I have only a few. I stay with my core group—my high school friends—and I’m happy with that,” he said.
And while having legions of fans might lead celebrities to believe their own hype, the opposite is true for Licauco, who sees his supporters as his anchor. “Sometimes, I would be in the middle of doing something, and fans would ask for pictures. But instead of complaining and saying I’m busy, I will interact with them. It’s just a photo, but I know it will make them happy,” he said.
“You just have to have that self-awareness that this is a job, a part of the kind of life I chose. This job is like any other job. A doctor is meant to treat people. And as an actor, I’m meant to entertain and make people happy. That’s what I try to do,” Licauco added.
