David Licauco’s birthday bash turns into a reunion as Barbie Forteza and Dustin Yu joins him

• "Pambansang Ginoo" David Licauco recently marked his 31st birthday and a decade in showbiz, commemorating these achievements with a special dinner

• His celebration included a casual dinner with "Pinoy Big Brother" alumnus Dustin Yu, which unexpectedly turned into a mini-reunion with the coincidental presence of his onscreen partner, Barbie Forteza

• Licauco reflected on his ten-year journey, emphasizing the importance of building strong connections and the necessity of hard work to achieve goals in the demanding entertainment industry

• The dinner with Dustin Yu, joined coincidentally by Barbie Forteza, occurred immediately after the trio and other GMA talents had participated in a shoot for the network's upcoming Station ID

Actor and entrepreneur David Licauco, widely known as the "Pambansang Ginoo," recently marked a significant period in his life, celebrating both his 31st birthday and a decade in the Philippine entertainment industry.

The festivities included a special dinner that unexpectedly turned into a mini-reunion, drawing intrigue from fans as his onscreen partner, Barbie Forteza, was also present alongside "Pinoy Big Brother" alumnus Dustin Yu.

The casual dinner gathering, which caught the attention of netizens, was a more impromptu affair than many initially perceived.

David clarified the circumstances in a recent interview, explaining that the evening commenced after he, Barbie, and other GMA Network talents participated in a shoot for the upcoming GMA Station ID.

Following the demanding production, David had pre-arranged to meet up with Dustin for a reunion dinner.

Dustin, a fellow actor, had recently concluded his stint on "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition," having been evicted just days prior alongside his duo partner Bianca De Vera.

"Kasi galing kami sa GMA, kasi we had a shoot for the Station ID," David recounted. "And then 'yun, after that, I invited Dustin na magkita nga kami, so doon kami sa isang restaurant sa Tomas Morato." (We had just come from GMA, because we had a shoot for the Station ID.

And then after that, I invited Dustin so we could meet up, so we went to a restaurant in Tomas Morato.)

The surprising element, David added, was the coincidental presence of Barbie at the same establishment.

"And 'yun, to my surprise, andu'n din si Barbie. Nagkataon lang na nando’n siya," (And then, to my surprise, Barbie was there too. It just so happened that she was there) he stated, emphasizing the unplanned nature of her attendance at his pre-arranged reunion with Dustin.

David’s birthday on June 15, 2025, marked his entry into a new year, while his ten-year anniversary in showbiz highlighted a decade of dedicated work in an often demanding industry.

To commemorate these milestones, hundreds of his devoted fans joined him in a separate grand celebration, a testament to his burgeoning popularity, particularly following the immense success of his love team with Barbie, affectionately known as "FiLay," stemming from their hit historical fantasy series Maria Clara at Ibarra.

This onscreen pairing cemented his status as the "Pambansang Ginoo," a title reflecting his dignified and charming persona.

Reflecting on his journey, David shared valuable lessons learned over the past decade. He underscored the importance of interpersonal relationships and professional conduct within the industry.

"I think 'yung connections, the people you meet along the way. Dito sa showbiz alam naman natin na marami ka talagang mami-meet na iba-ibang tao at kung paano mo sila pakikisamahan," (I think the connections, the people you meet along the way.

Here in showbiz, we know that you really meet many different kinds of people and how you interact with them) he observed.

He also stressed the non-negotiable role of perseverance in achieving one's aspirations. "Siguro 'yung hardwork. For a person to reach his goals, kailangan talaga 'yung hardwork. And sa showbiz alam naman natin na it's a long journey." (Perhaps the hard work. For a person to reach his goals, hard work is really needed. And in showbiz, we know that it's a long journey.)

The impromptu gathering served as a warm moment of camaraderie, intertwining personal celebrations with professional connections.

It offered fans a glimpse into the off-screen dynamics among their favorite stars, even as it underscored the unpredictable nature of celebrity encounters.

David Licauco is a Filipino actor, model, and entrepreneur. He is recognized for his roles in various television dramas and films, as well as his ventures in the business sector. His entry into the entertainment industry began with modeling. His breakthrough role came in 2017 when he portrayed Malik in Mulawin vs. Ravena. He also continued to gain prominence with roles such as Fidel de los Reyes y Maglipol in Maria Clara at Ibarra (2022–2023) and Carding in Maging Sino Ka Man (2023).

Last month, Barbie took to social media to wish David Licauco a happy birthday. The actor dubbed “Pambansang Ginoo” marked his 31st birthday on Sunday, June 15. On X, Barbie penned a short yet heartfelt message to David. The actor later posted an affectionate response to the Kapuso Primetime Princess.

Meanwhile last May, David took to Facebook and announced the death of his grandfather, Jaime Licauco, and also shared some memorable photos. His caption praised Jaime as a wise man who shared valuable life lessons and wisdom, expressing gratitude for their time together. Jaime Licauco, aged 84, was a notable figure known for his columns on spirituality and books like "Understanding the Psychic Powers of Man." Netizens have flooded social media with condolences, reflecting their admiration for both David and his grandfather.

Source: KAMI.com.gh