What’s on David Licauco’s holiday gift list?
Holiday gift-giving must be a painstaking activity for celebrities, what with the long list of people—both on- and off-screen—that they can’t afford to miss.
While David Licauco managed to get his family, show biz bosses, and closest friends presents last Christmas, he thinks he could probably have done better, or given out more, if only he wasn’t so busy with work.
Taping for his then television series “Maging Sino Ka Man” finished in November. After that, he had to tend to the slew of other projects and engagements in line. And that’s on top of the various food businesses he had to oversee.
This year, the actor made sure to start buying gifts as early as possible. Last Nov. 7, Licauco dropped by the Megamall branch of the cosmetics and skin-care brand The Body Shop, where he did a little bit of shopping—all while a crowd of giddy, screaming fans outside watched his every move.
One thing that caught his attention was the Vitamin C skin-care collection, which, he surmised, would be a perfect gift for his skin-conscious loved ones. Sunscreen, as well as hand and body creams, would be nice additions to the goody bags, too, he said.
“Putting on some lotion after a tiring day at work can be relaxing,” he told Lifestyle. “Sometimes, we take small things like that for granted. But we have to take care of our skin and body, too.”
Sustainable gifts
As someone who has long been suffering from sleep apnea, Licauco can’t make a stop at The Body Shop and not get his hands on his favorite lavender-infused oils and calming mists. “I just spray some on my bed or pillows, and it helps me sleep better because it loosens up the airways,” he explained.
The 30-year-old actor also appreciates the thoughtfulness behind The Body Shop’s initiative to carry vegan, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free products, which people can carry or keep in sustainable packaging solutions, like reusable paper pouches.
“Giving such items as gifts may inspire the receiver to give sustainable gifts as well. That way, we can all help the environment. I love that the products are beneficial not only to us, but to the environment, too. It makes you feel good that you’re able to help, even in a small way,” he said.
And for those on a budget, The Body Shop has gift ideas that cost below P500, like the Satsuma soap pack, which comes with a free lather puff. “Some products are buy two-get one,” he said, referring to the self-care sets on promo, which include the Nourish & Flourish British Rose gift box.
As he roamed around the shop, browsing and getting product demos from the resident expert, fans yelled out his name—sometimes his famous television characters’ (Hiroshi in “Pulang Araw”; Fidel in “Maria Clara at Ibarra”). While Licauco was getting a hand massage, a woman squealed so loud the actor couldn’t help but smile and wave at the crowd.
‘Not materialistic’
Licauco is a self-confessed introvert. And while he still gets stumped by overwhelming public displays of adulation from time to time, he assured that he cares deeply about the fans, that he’s thankful for their unwavering love and support.
In fact, another activity that relaxes him (aside from spraying lavender mist), he related, is reading letters from the fans. And knowing that his work has had a big impact on their lives holds more weight than any material thing.
“For them to put in the effort means so much to me. I get touched when they tell me that watching my shows eases their anxiety,” he said. “That means a lot to me. I’m not a materialistic person.”
One time, fans also held a block screening for him and they sang a song they composed especially for him. “It felt so heartening it made me cry,” added Licauco, who later indulged the eager crowd with selfies, high fives, and finger hearts.
Did he have a dream Christmas gift growing up? There’s nothing specific, or at least there’s nothing top of mind, he said, trying to rack his brain. But he did recall wanting to become a Power Ranger when he was a young boy, which, alas, Santa Claus couldn’t make happen.
But he does look back on his childhood often, he said, if only to remind himself how far he has gone, and to calm himself when the pressure becomes too much to bear. “Thinking about my childhood is one of my daily meditations. So many things have happened to my life—I didn’t expect to have all these opportunities.”
He added, “But by remembering how my life was like before all this, I find peace. Because instead of thinking ‘I have to do this, or I have to do that,’ I realize, ‘I was able to achieve all this.’”
