Enchong Dee
Ernest Lorenzo "Enchong" Velasquez Dee is a Filipino swimmer, actor, performer, model, host and entrepreneur. Dee is a contract artist of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, and came to prominence after starring in the TV drama Katorse in 2009. He is the younger brother of actor and model, AJ Dee.
Early life and education
Enchong Dee was born on November 5, 1988, at Mother Seton Hospital in Naga, Camarines Sur, to Johnson Molina Dee and Maria Theresa Diño Velasquez. He has an older brother, Angel James Dee, who is also an actor, and two younger siblings, Isaiah Joseph and Angelika.As early as Grade 4, Dee was offered a scholarship by then-Naga mayor Jesse Robredo. He later became a member of the Philippine national swimming team at age 13 and competed in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila, the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, and the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos.
Dee graduated from Naga Hope Christian School in 2005 and subsequently pursued higher education at De La Salle University in Manila, where he earned a degree in political science in 2009.
Career
2006–2008
Dee made his first television appearance as a guest on the talk show Homeboy in 2006. He began landing acting roles shortly after, with Abt Ur Luv as his first show in 2006, in which he played Blue.In 2007, he appeared in Sineserye Presents: Palimos Ng Pag-ibig as Job, Komiks Presents: Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao as Mark, and Your Song Presents: Tulak ng Bibig as Marlon. He was also featured in several campaigns for brands such as Close Up, Bench, KFC, and Timex.
Dee starred in two shows with Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson in 2008. First is the series My Girl, based on the South Korean drama of the same title, in which he played Nico Legaspi. And the second is Your Song: My Only Hope, as Jhune Crisostomo.
This was also the year when Enchong started appearing regularly on the Sunday variety show ASAP.
2009
Dee started to endorse Coca-Cola in 2009 when he appeared in a TV commercial with Kim Chiu and Shaina Magdayao. He became a prominent ambassador of the brand for many years.In May 2009, the actor appeared in a supporting role in the series Komiks Presents: Nasaan Ka Maruja?, where he played Brian Lorenzo, Ross' brother.
Concurrently, Enchong starred in Your Song Presents: Boystown with other members of the Gigger Boys – Robi Domingo, AJ Perez, Sam Concepcion, Arron Villaflor, Dino Imperial, and Chris Gutierrez. The weekly series, set in a reform center for juvenile street children, featured Dee as Arnel, a skilled swimmer whose talent presents him with opportunities beyond the institution.
He also had a small role in the comedy film BFF: Best Friends Forever, starring Sharon Cuneta and Ai-Ai delas Alas, playing Paco.
Later that year, Dee gained wider recognition for his role in Katorse, a television adaptation of the 1968 film, in which he starred opposite Erich Gonzales and Ejay Falcon. The series marked a turning point in his acting career. He portrayed Jojo Wenceslao, one of the love interests of Nene, played by Gonzales.
Dee and Gonzales subsequently appeared together in the indie film Paano Ko Sasabihin?, a Cinema One Originals entry about two individuals who accidentally mistake each other for deaf-mutes. For this film, the duo was required to learn sign language.
2010–2011
The following year, he reunited with Erich and Ejay in the TV series Tanging Yaman. He portrayed Jomari Buenavista, the second son of the Vice President and one of Fina's love interests.A month after the show concluded, Dee joined the cast of Magkaribal as Caloy Javier. The drama series was topbilled by Bea Alonzo and Gretchen Barretto, and is set in the fashion world, featuring costuming and cameo appearances by local designers.
In November 2010, Dee made a brief appearance in the series Your Song Presents: Andi, starring Andi Eigenmann.
That same year, he also appeared in two Star Cinema films: Sa 'yo Lamang, which earned him the Gawad PASADO award for Best Supporting Actor, and I Do, his first leading role in a major film, opposite Gonzales.
In 2011, he worked with Gonzales again in the Philippine remake of Maria La Del Barrio, portraying Luis de la Vega, the love interest of Maria. Endorsement-wise, he became an ambassador of Jollibee, a popular fast-food chain in the Philippines.
2012–2013
Dee appeared in The Reunion, a teen romantic comedy film released in 2012, alongside Enrique Gil, Xian Lim, and Kean Cipriano. The film follows four young men whose lives are altered after attending their high school reunion. He also starred in The Strangers, his first entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival, opposite Julia Montes and Enrique Gil. He played Dolfo, a mysterious young man whom the villagers suspect of malevolence.From 2012 to 2013, he played Ethan, one of the main characters in the teleserye Ina, Kapatid, Anak with Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, and Xian Lim. The series was among ABS-CBN’s highest-rated shows in 2013.
In the same year, Dee starred in the blockbuster comedy-drama film Four Sisters and a Wedding as CJ Salazar. The four sisters – played by Bea Alonzo, Toni Gonzaga, Shaina Magdayao, and Angel Locsin – attempt to stop his wedding to Princess, portrayed by Angeline Quinto. He also appeared in two other comedy-drama films that year: Tuhog, with Eugene Domingo and Leo Martinez, and Call Center Girl, with Pokwang and Jessy Mendiola. All three films were produced by Star Cinema.
In July 2013, he worked with Julia and Enrique again in the television series Muling Buksan Ang Puso.
2014–2016
Dee reunited with Gonzales in the movie Once a Princess in 2014, which also starred JC de Vera. He played Leonard Jamieson, a geeky guy who later becomes a wealthy executive.That year, Dee also released his self-titled debut album under Star Music. Its first single, "Chinito Problems", was a response to Yeng Constantino's 2013 hit song "Chinito". The dance track "Seloso" was released as the second single. Dee also released music videos for "Step No Step Yes", originally performed by VST & Co., and "Isip O Puso", a song he wrote inspired by his film Once a Princess.
In 2015, Dee briefly became a housemate in the reality show Pinoy Big Brother, and eventually as one of the hosts of the 737 edition. He also held his first major two-night concert, DEETOUR: The Chinito Live in Concert, at the Music Museum in Greenhills, where each night featured a different set of surprise guests.
The year after, Dee starred in the psychological horror film Lila, opposite Janine Gutierrez for the first time. He played Kevin, Jess' cousin, who tries to help Jess escape from her past. The movie was part of the 2016 Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival.
Produced by Regal Entertainment, he also starred opposite Kiray Celis in the comedy film I Love You to Death. They portrayed Tonton and Gwen, childhood sweethearts who reunite after many years apart. Unbeknownst to Gwen, Tonton had already died and returned only to answer her desperate longing for love.
After his debut album reached platinum status, Dee released his second album, EDM . It spawned the singles "Telenobela", "‘Di Ko Alam", and "Hanggang Dito Na Lang". He wrote one song, "Hopia", on the 10-track album, which was also released under Star Music.
Finally, Dee also joined the cast of Mano Po 7: Chinoy. He played Wilson Wong, Jr., a drug and alcohol addict who is sent to a rehabilitation facility and falls in love with a fellow patient, Jocelyn, portrayed by Jessy Mendiola. The Mano Po film series is among the most successful in the Philippines and is produced by Regal Entertainment.
2017–2019
In 2017, Dee starred in the horror film Nay, with Sylvia Sanchez and Jameson Blake. He played Martin, a rich, sheltered youth who gets transformed into an aswang by his yaya, Nay Luisa. This film was an entry to the 2017 Cinema One Originals Film Festival. Dee also made a special appearance in Erich's MMFF movie, Siargao, later that year.Enchong worked again with Erich and Ejay in the TV series The Blood Sisters in 2018, which to date is their last project together. He played the character Dr. Samuel Hechanova.
Reuniting with Janine Gutierrez, they both starred in the pre-Valentine's movie Elise in 2019, produced by Regal Films. He played Bert, who has feelings for Elise since they were kids.
2020–2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dee appeared in the Netflix film Alter Me, opposite Jasmine Curtis-Smith. His character, Uno, works as an escort to make ends meet, yet longs for a more meaningful connection. The movie received mixed reviews, with one critic commenting that it "refuses to dig deeper into the subculture". He also appeared in the film Four Sisters Before the Wedding in 2020, which serves as both a prequel and sequel to the original hit movie.Dee was also one of the hosts of Pinoy Big Brother: Connect edition from 2020 to 2021.
In 2021, he appeared in a supporting role in the television series Huwag Kang Mangamba, playing Father Sebastián Tantiangco.
2022–2023
Dee appeared in more supporting roles in 2022. First, in the fantasy drama television series Darna, as Elijah, who has telekinetic powers. And second, in the film Partners in Crime, starring Vice Ganda and Ivana Alawi, as Carlos Jose Salazar.Before the turn of the year, Dee ended his affiliation with KP&PR&EMS, Inc., the company co-managing him with Star Magic. The company issued the following statement: "This is to make public the fact that Mr. Ernest Lorenzo V. Dee is no longer represented, directly or indirectly by KP&PR&EMS, Inc., with office at 8 Dapdap Road, Forbes Park, Makati City, effective as of 31 December 2022."
In 2023, Enchong and Mon Confiado starred in the movie The Fisher, a film about a Filipino fisherman, Pedro, who discovers a Chinese fisherman, Hai, lost at sea. It marked the directorial comeback of Paul Soriano, who also wrote and produced the film. It was nominated at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival, which the three of them attended.
In the same year, Dee was the lead role in two movies for the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival. First is the comedy film Here Comes the Groom, opposite Maris Racal and Keempee de Leon. He played Rodrigo Jr., the conservative and shy groom.
The second is the critically acclaimed film GomBurZa, where he portrayed Padre Jacinto Zamora, one of the three martyr priests. Critics described the movie as "brilliant" and an "empowering tribute to Filipino martyrs". It became the most-awarded film at the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival, and also received two awards at the 72nd FAMAS Awards. Beyond the accolades, the movie ranked number one on Netflix Philippines upon its release on the platform, demonstrating both critical approval and strong popular appeal.