Talent manager recalls ‘begging’ for roles for David Licauco

By allan PolicaRPio Inquirer.net

MARIA Clara at Ibarra” was supposed to be David Licauco’s “one last hurrah.”

Disheartened by his seemingly stagnating career, the 28-year-old actor was ready to call it quits with show biz last year. However, the unexpected success of the said GMA 7 series and his screen tandem with Barbie Forteza had David changing his tune, his talent manager, Arnold Vegafria, said.

“He was thinking of focusing on his businesses instead. He felt that nothing was happening with his career, that it’s stagnant, not moving. He has been raring to do lead roles in a soap opera, but he couldn’t land any.

‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ was supposed to be his last hurrah,” Vegafria told a small group of reporters in a recent chat.

In fact, David and his team weren’t even planning on accepting the role of Fidel, the haughty best friend of Crisostomo Ibarra (Dennis Trillo). “But GMA 7 managed to convince us. And we’re like, ‘OK, why not give it a shot? Let’s see … we might get lucky this time,” said Vegafria, who heads the management company ALV Talent Circuit. They did.

Good portrayal and chemistry

Fidel was originally meant to be nothing more than a supporting character. But when the creative team behind the series realized that his scenes and the funny cat-and-mouse dynamic he had with Klay (Barbie) were gaining traction among fans, they adjusted the script accordingly. “I told David, ‘Even if it’s just a supporting role,’ try to get noticed. Show them what you can do. Study your role well. Magpacute ka!’” Vegafrida related. “We didn’t expect that the show and characters would click. David delivered a good portrayal. He also had chemistry with Barbie.”

“That’s why they had to make some rewrites,” he added. “There was luck involved, too. But of course, David’s dedication and hard work were also big factors … ‘So, hindi ka na hihinto [sa show biz]?’ I asked him. ‘Dire-diretso na tayo.’”

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FESTIVAL season stays on a roll this spring at Pechanga Resort Casino. The Annual Pechanga Sushi & Sake Festival serves up the freshest catches and smooth sake inside the Summit Events Center on Saturday, April 8. The popular one-day event includes an afternoon filled with premium Japanese sake, house-made sushi by master Pechanga chefs, a silent auction and live music. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the Pechanga Box Office, by calling (877) 711-2946 or online at Pechanga.com. Proceeds from the event benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

Four ticket levels are available:

• VIP – $160 and includes early entry at 11 a.m., sampling delectable sushi and several dessert items, more than 40 varieties of sake, eight types of beer and talk with sake makers, chefs and bid on silent auction items before general admission attendees.

• Designated Driver VIP –$75 and allows early entry at 11 a.m., sampling just-sliced sushi, dessert items, bidding on silent auction items before general admission attendees, and enjoyment of live music.

• General Admission –$120 and includes entry at 1 p.m., sampling delectable sushi and several dessert items, more than 40 varieties of sake, eight types of beer, sampling the freshest sushi prepared by master Pechanga chefs, live music and bidding on silent auction items.

• Designated Driver – $75 and includes trying the freshest sushi prepared by master Pechanga chefs, enjoying dessert items, plus live music and bidding on silent auction items.

With one ticket, guests can taste more than 40 premium sakes (daiginjo, ginjo, junmai and sparkling) including many award-winning brands and styles from all over Japan and around the world. Pechanga chefs get rolled up in the festival as they prepare thousands of fresh sushi pieces to pair with the sake selections. Chefs Kiyo Ikeda, head chef of Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar, Kok Che, executive sous chef of Pechanga’s Asian restaurants, and Andre Pinto, Pechanga Executive Chef, will be on hand to meet with guests, present them with fresh, made-on-site sushi, and share their expert suggestions for matching sushi with sake.

A traditional Japanese Taiko drummer, a Japanese guitarist and a “Koto” (Japanese harpist) will set the mood of the festival’s musical interludes for the festival. A silent auction also features sought after gifts such as art, vacation packages and more.

“There have been other sushi festivals around Southern California, but none that have had the staying power that Pechanga’s Sushi & Sake Festival has,” said Kiyo Ikeda, head chef of Umi Sushi & Oyster bar at Pechanga Resort Casino. “The fact our guests can enjoy amazing sushi, sake, have a great time and help charity while they’re doing that, it makes everyone feel great about the whole event.”

The festival’s idea sprang from the popularity of beer and sake within Southern California, as well as the continued rise of sushi as a mainstay of soughtafter fare in America. The 2nd place win for Pechanga’s Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar in USA

Today’s Best Casino Restaurant readers’ poll in 2018 also helped cement the festival’s viability at the Temecula resort/casino.

Proceeds support Habitat For Humanity Inland Valley’s programs that provide housing to deserving individuals and families, and home repairs to senior citizens and those no longer able to do such work themselves.

The festival’s tasting menu and sake selections will be released soon.

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the best casino resort in the west by the readers of USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5,400 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)

How married life has changed...

been very supportive. And I’m very grateful for somebody like that coming (into my life)… She has been supporting my strengths and my weaknesses naman. Siya ang magaling dun. We complement (each other).”

From Page 8 shared that they are “still discovering each other,” adding, “Kahit naman after 10 years, I think it’s still discovering about your partner na parang, ‘Ay may ganito ka pa lang ugali. Dati hindi ko alam.’ And it’s always gonna be like that because people change.”

The newly-married couple recently took some time off from work to jet around Asia and Europe. During the pandemic lockdowns, they didn’t get the chance to travel. So this year, they plan to travel “as much as we can,” said Sam, “so we can explore the world together, especially those faraway places.”

Sam also plans to bring his wife to India within this year to visit some of his relatives there.

Sam likewise told The STAR that deep conversations helped them click as partners. “I think whenever we talk, it’s always parang, of course, the connection is there, but it’s always a deep conversation alam mo yun? Alam mong you, guys, are a great team together. I think that’s where I felt that this is the one.”

Sabi nga nila, when you know, you know. Dati hindi ako naniniwala dun, until I met her. Umpisa pa lang, malalaman mo na ‘yun, few months, few weeks. There’s something in her na hindi mo mafeel sa iba,” he added.

On who between them does the “nego” whenever conflicts arise, Sam answered, “It depends on the issue. ‘Di mo masasabi, eh. Of course, (it’s about) compromise (when you are) committed… And it’s always gonna be a work in progress. There will be things that you have to ‘nego’ left and right na OK.”

Having been married for just a year, Sam

Speaking of change, Sam was also queried on how things have changed for him since Boys Night Out. He replied, “I think wala. Kasi even Boys Night Out is such a real show. So ngayon, talagang humihirit ako na parang, ‘Naku dati pwede pa akong mag-ano… Sama pa ako sa inyo. Pero ngayon guys alam niyo naman. May asawa na tayo. Bago na tayo ‘di ba.’”

He further quipped, “Hindi na ‘ko tumitingin sa mga maikling shorts na ganyan. Ikli na nga, punitpunit pa (laughs).”

On a serious note, he offered, “Of course, you have to maintain your energy and your job, but you have to twist it in a way that make(s) people know that it’s a different Sam YG. How you make that interesting, that’s the challenge.”

The Filipino-Indian and former Eat, Bulaga cohost maintained that he wants to be remembered in the industry as someone who is “dynamic” in his decades-long career. “Na parang kahit saan mo ibato yan, kaya niya yan. That’s what I like about Nego King. One minute you talk to a fish ball vendor and next minute, you talk to the CEO of the company on the same day in a span of three hours. “I think adaptable and dynamic aside from the energy, of course. As a host, you need that energy and the wit. Kailangan yung bilis ng pag-iisip. So hopefully, those things,” he added.