While acting alone already proves to be a demanding job, some Filipino actors have taken the extra mile, pursuing businesses while attending back-to-back tapings and memorizing long scripts. As these 10 actors’ ventures range from food enterprises to service establishments and music-related companies, they have surely molded themselves into the successful actor-businessmen they are today.
1| James Reid
In 2017, James founded Careless Music with fellow Pinoy Big Brother alum Bret Jackson. The independent record label currently manages artists like Massiah, Jolianne, Lesha, and Nadine Lustre.
2| Enchong Dee
Enchong currently co-manages Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken franchises in UP Town Center, Market! Market!, Marquee Mall, and SM Megamall. The actor takes pride in retaining all of his employees despite the difficulties the first COVID-19 lockdowns initially posed to the food service industry.
3| Joshua Garcia
Joshua is business partners with Enchong as the two ABS-CBN actors joined forces with other investors to revive the Academy of Rock Philippines, a music school along Scout Borromeo Street in Quezon City.
4| David Licauco
Besides his on-screen stints in Heartful Café and Because I Love You, David is also known for his three successful food and wellness businesses. He established Sóbra Comfort Food and As Nature Intended in 2020, and Kuya Korea in 2021.
5| Richard Juan
Actor-host Richard is the CEO of 28 Squared Studios, a company that specializes in video production, digital marketing, and talent management.
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6| Daniel Padilla
Alongside his longtime girlfriend and onscreen partner Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel runs Barbero Blues, a barber shop at SM North EDSA The Block that caters to both men and women.
7| Matteo Guidicelli
In 2015, Matteo and his family first decided to establish the Italian restaurant Trattoria da Gianni in Cebu. Since then, the Guidicellis have opened two more locations: Il Fornaio Da Gianni in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig and Da Gianni in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
8| Marvin Agustin
Other than Marvin’s well-known cochinillo brand COCHI by Marvin, he has proven to be quite the entrepreneur as he balances managing a whopping five restaurants and home-based food businesses. The 43-year-old GMA star founded Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Philippines, Tai Koo HK Roast, SECRET KITCHEN, Tito Marvs, and Mr.VinMunchies.
9| Richard Yap
Richard opened the first branch of Wangfu Chinese Café in Tomas Morato. The Singaporean-Chinese bistro has since expanded to a total of eight branches around Metro Manila. The Be Careful With My Heart leading man even took culinary classes before commencing his journey as Wangfu’s owner.
10| Joel Torre
Veteran actor Joel Torre is the mastermind behind one of the largest chicken inasal chains in the Philippines. So if you’ve ever wondered what the “JT” in JT’s Manukan Grille stands for, here’s your answer. The Bacolod inasal eatery currently has 26 branches nationwide.
