Enchong Dee was only seen twice on the big screen this year: in a “special participation” in the John Lloyd Cruz-Sarah Geronimo romantic comedy “Finally Found Someone,” and a lead turn in Kip Oebanda’s Cinema One Originals entry “Nay” opposite Sylvia Sanchez.
But for most of the year, specifically from January to September, the 29-year-old Naga native was pretty much visible as a cast member of the hit primetime teleserye “A Love to Last.”
Not much was also known about Enchong’s personal life either. Although previously linked with actresses Erich Gonzales and Julia Montes, Enchong was ultimately associated up with model Samantha Lewis who until their breakup last year was officially his girlfriend.
Last month, Enchong was interviewed on “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” where he said that being single now allows him to do more things.
“You have the rest of your life ahead of you to fall in love. Don’t rush,” he quipped during then show.
As it turns out, Enchong has been devoting much of his time to his business ventures. The actor is the franchise owner of Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar branches at SM Megamall, U.P. Town Center and at Marquee Mall in Pampanga.
During the recent 12th anniversary of the restaurant chain where he was also launched as its brand ambassador, Enchong noted that he did not go into Peri-Peri on a whim. He confessed that while he fell in love with its popular charcoal chicken “at first bite,” his passion for food can be traced back to his growing up years in Naga City.
“We had a poultry farm there so we literally know all kinds of chicken preparations and dishes,” he pointed out.
At Peri-Peri, Enchong finds himself very much engaged in its operations. He visits his branches two to three times a week, helps his crew with their work and, yes, even interacts with often surprised diners.
The actor further noted that his involvement with Peri-Peri is a conscious effort on his part to secure his future as there’s a voice in his head that tells him that “showbiz is just temporary.”
“We saw a lot of stars who still have to work when they’re already in their 60s and 70s and should be enjoying life. I don’t want to see myself down on my knees and begging for work when I’m already in my 80s. People should be enjoying life at that age,” he told InterAksyon and other media during the event.
Of course, given how he embraced the role of a terminally ill young man in “Nay” who is cured of his disease when his mysterious nanny turned him out to be a vampire and eventually transformed him into one, Enchong said he is more than ready to take on more challenging projects.
“If a good movie comes along and I like the role, I will definitely go for it,” he concluded.
