David Licauco recalls life-changing road accident in 2013, admits blaming self for best friend's passing
David Licauco opened up about his “tragic, life-changing" road accident in 2013 that took the life of his best friend.
In his interview with journalist Karen Davila, David talked about his business, how he rose to fame, and his previous dream to become a professional basketball player. The “pambansang ginoo” also revealed how the accident changed his perspective in life, saying it was a miracle that he got a second chance to live.
“Magbabarkada kami, high school friends and we decided to go to Tagaytay. Tapos ‘yung pag uwi namin, na-hit namin ‘yung gas truck sa SLEx, I was in the passenger seat,” he recalled.
“I remember no’ng nag-backing ‘yung kotse sa Leslie’s, ‘di ba ‘yung parking boy, usually nasa side ng driver pero for some reason parang miracle na lang for me na nando’n siya sa side ko,” he said, adding: “Sabi niya, ‘Sir, seat belt lang po ah.’”
He recalled the parking boy’s reminder, just minutes away before they got into the accident.
“Nagising ako bigla, parang may gumising sa ‘kin, and I remembered what that parking boy told me,” he said. “After 10 minutes, sa Parañaque, we hit the gas truck.”
Karen asked him about how his friends who were with him then, to which David shared that he lost his best friend at that time.
“We were five, and then ‘yung bestfriend ko, namatay siya,” he said.
Describing the accident as “traumatic, tragic,” Karen asked if he thought he was going to die.
“At that point, wala na kong ibang maisip kundi pumunta sa hospital, ‘cause everyone was crying, like I tried my best to help but I couldn’t help anyone, I couldn’t even help myself,” David said.
Remembering his best friend, David shared how he blames himself for his death.
“He was my best friend, he was my neighbor, we grew up together, and I would always play basketball with him,” he said.
He continued: “Medyo sinisi ko rin kasi ‘yung sarili ko, ‘cause what if I didn’t sleep? What if sinamahan ko ‘yung driver.”
“Parang pwede siyang maiwasan kung mas naging aware ako, mas naging wise in that situation.”
Looking back, David considers his second chance in life a miracle, recalling how he woke up seeing a light.
“Marami ako realizations nung na bedridden ako, parang na-realize ko ‘yung importance ng life,” he said. “Mas minahal ko ‘yung sarili ko, mas minahal ko ‘yung friends ko and family, ’cause you never know, life is just lent to us,” he furthered.
“Baka weird ‘tong sasabihin ko pero parang mayro’n ako nakita that time na parang light, parang ‘hey David, wake up,’” he said. “Our God is amazing.”
Moving on, David couldn’t be more grateful for the chance, believing that he still needs to fulfill his purpose of being the “Inspiration to the youth.”
“Maybe kaya hindi pa ako kinuha ni Lord is because I have a purpose in life,” he said. “I’d like to think na I wanna serve as an inspiration to the youth, to the fans, my friends, and family.”
David rose to fame with his portrayal as Fidel in the hit Philippine TV series, Maria Clara at Ibarra. He also owns a restaurant, “Kuya Korea” established in September 2022.