The lights shimmered like stars, the crowd held their breath, and Dustin Yu stepped forward — a bouquet in hand, eyes locked on Bianca de Vera. It was the moment that took over the GMA Gala 2025, a proposal not of marriage, but of something almost equally daring in the world of young showbiz hearts — a public, heartfelt request to be his date to the biggest night in Philippine entertainment.

But in that sea of gasps and smiles, one reaction quietly stole attention online.

David Licauco, watching from the sidelines with a grin and a glint in his eye, uttered just five words that sparked an entirely new conversation. “Gusto kong gayahin,” he said, his tone half-playful, half-envious. The fans caught it. The press quoted it. And suddenly, the question wasn’t just about Dustin and Bianca anymore — it was: is David Licauco ready to make a bold move too?

The Filipino heartthrob known for his subtle charm and slow-burn romances onscreen rarely lets his personal feelings peek through. But this time, something in Dustin’s spontaneous, public gesture seemed to resonate with him deeply.

“It was so sincere,” David later said in an interview after the gala. “There’s something about a guy putting his pride aside and making a moment unforgettable for someone he cares about. I admire that.”

Dustin Yu’s proposal had all the makings of a fairytale. With cameras flashing, a trail of candles lighting the path, and a custom banner reading “Will you be my GMA Gala date?”, the gesture felt both old-school and refreshing. Bianca de Vera’s stunned silence before her wide smile was everything fans hoped for — raw, unscripted, real.

But what hit harder for David wasn’t just the success of the moment, but the courage it took to create it.

“I think as guys, sometimes we hide behind being ‘chill’ or ‘lowkey’,” he said with a shrug. “But moments like that? They make someone feel really seen. It’s brave. And I’d love to do something like that when the time’s right.”

And just like that, the spotlight shifted.

Speculation ran wild. Who would David choose, if he were to make such a move? Fans began combing through his past interviews, looking for clues. Was it someone from a recent teleserye? A longtime friend? Or perhaps, someone entirely new?

“I’m not dropping names,” he said, laughing off the rumors. “But if I do it, I want it to come from the heart. Not just for the show.”

David Licauco has always balanced his celebrity with an almost surprising level of sincerity. While he often plays brooding, guarded characters on screen, those who’ve met him describe someone quietly thoughtful — someone who believes that emotions, when expressed right, can shift the atmosphere in a room.

That’s perhaps why Dustin’s grand gesture struck a chord with him.

“We all say we want to be loved in private, but sometimes, it’s the public affirmations that prove just how much someone’s willing to risk for you,” he said.

He paused, before adding, “That’s powerful.”

The GMA Gala 2025 was a spectacle of gowns, glam, and gossip. But amidst the sparkle, it was the human moments — the unplanned, unrehearsed ones — that truly stole the night. And while Dustin and Bianca’s sweet beginning may have been the centerpiece, David’s candid response gave fans a glimpse into a heart perhaps ready to speak a little louder.

Social media lit up after the event. Tweets like “David, please do it. We’re ready!” and “Imagine if he pulls a Dustin next year!” trended for hours. Fans began editing imaginary proposal videos with David’s face superimposed into Dustin’s scene. Even some of his celebrity friends joined in on the teasing, tagging him with laughing emojis and heart gifs.

But underneath the lighthearted frenzy was something more poignant — a shared yearning, perhaps, for real gestures in a world that’s often too curated.

“I don’t think love should be performative,” David clarified later. “But there’s nothing wrong with making someone feel like the main character of the night.”

He then smiled, as if he was already picturing it.

Whether or not David Licauco follows through on his hint remains to be seen. Maybe next year’s GMA Gala will unveil a new surprise. Maybe someone special will walk through the flashbulbs with him, hand-in-hand, in a moment scripted not by showbiz but by something far more personal.

But one thing is certain — in a single phrase, David Licauco reminded everyone that even the most composed hearts sometimes want to take center stage. Not for applause. Not for the camera. But for love.

And as fans continue to dream up what that moment might look like for him, David remains quietly firm in his promise.

“If I ever do it, you’ll know it’s real.”