Daniel Kenji Silva Matsunaga (born November 28, 1988) is a Brazilian former model, actor, professional footballer, host and businessman.[2] He became known in the Philippines by appearing in Cosmopolitan Philippines’ September 2009 "Cosmo Men" supplement. He was scouted in the Philippines as an actor and was first given TV drama projects on GMA Network. He also joined ABS-CBN's reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother and was declared as the PBB All-In big winner in 2014.
Daniel Matsunaga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Matsunaga in Shake, Rattle & Roll XV (2014) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Daniel Kenji Silva Matsunaga November 28, 1988 Brasilia, Brazil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Brazilian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Citizenship | Filipino[citation needed] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2009–2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agent(s) | GMA Artist Center (2010–2012) Talent5 (2012–2014) Star Magic (2014–2021) Brightlight Productions (2020–2021) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As a footballer he has played for Team Socceroo, Pachanga and Kaya in the United Football League (UFL) which was the top-flight football league in the Philippines during its existence.
Early life
editMatsunaga was born in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. His mother, Gerarda Silva, is a Brazilian of Portuguese, African, and Indigenous descent, while his father, Paulo Mitsuo Matsunaga, is of Japanese descent.[3] He has a brother and a sister.[4]
Career
editModelling and acting
editMatsunaga started his career when he became a model for Cosmopolitan Philippines 'Cosmo Men' supplement. His debut series on screen was on GMA-7's top rated drama series The Last Prince with co-stars Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal.
In 2012, he moved to TV5 for more TV shows and projects like Game N Go, Enchanted and Misibis Bay.
He went to ABS-CBN to be one of the celebrity judges for It's Showtime. On 17 May 2014, Matsunaga entered the Pinoy Big Brother house on Day 21 as the fourth celebrity and eighteenth official housemate of the Pinoy Big Brother: All In season.[5]
On 24 August 2014, he was declared as the big winner of Pinoy Big Brother: All In.[6]
In May 2017, Matsunaga was introduced as the first male endorser for Avon Philippines' Men's Club during the "Confidence is the New Sexy" campaign launch. He was chosen to be the endorser because he "reflects the Modern Gentleman who is a man of style, adventure, and confidence".[7]
Football career
editMatsunaga started playing football during his childhood[8] and aspired to play for the Brazil national football team before he got involved in showbiz.[9] He played for clubs in his native Brazil as well as in Hong Kong before playing in the Philippines. In the Philippines he had played for Team Socceroo, Pachanga, and Kaya.[8]
He played in the now defunct United Football League (UFL) starting in Division 2 playing for Team Socceroo in 2011[1] playing with fellow model actor Fabio Ide.[9] He then moved to Division 1 club Pachanga Diliman during the 2012 UFL Cup, before eventually moving to Stallion for the 2013 season.[1] For the 2014 season he moved to Kaya.[8]
In street football, he played for Team Naxional who secured qualification as the Philippine representatives at the Neymar Jr's Five Football Tournament by winning over Tondo in the final of the Philippine qualifying leg.[10] The world final held in Brazil was contested by 53 other countries with Romania emerging as champions.[11]
Matsunaga also became involved in the 7's Football League as a player.[12]
He returned to domestic football, when he signed to play with Philippines Football League newcomer Maharlika F.C. in August 2020,[13] although he was not part of the final lineup for the 2020 season for undisclosed reasons.[citation needed]
Personal life
editMatsunaga is a Christian.[4] He obtained permanent residency in the Philippines in December 2014 and had expressed intention to petition for Filipino citizenship.[14]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sisterakas | Marlon | Star Cinema |
| 2013 | The Bride and the Lover | Sheila's husband | Regal Films |
| She's the One | Jason | Star Cinema | |
| 2014 | Endless | Daniel | ABS-CBN (Pinoy Big Brother: All In) |
| Past Tense | Carlos Santillan | Star Cinema | |
| Shake, Rattle & Roll XV | Bryan | Regal Films | |
| 2017 | Spirit of the Glass 2: The Haunted | Enzo | OctoArts Films, T-Rex Entertainment Productions |
| Fallback | Chris | Cineko | |
| Meant to Beh | Benjo Marasigan | OctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment | |
| 2018 | Kahit Ayaw Mo Na | Reggie | BluArt Productions, Viva Films |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | The Last Prince | Prince Nicolai | GMA Network |
| Langit sa Piling Mo | Xavier Cruz | ||
| Love Bug Presents: Wish Come True | Raoul Del Rosario | ||
| 2010–2011 | Grazilda | Kasmir | |
| 2011 | Machete | Baal | |
| Spooky Nights: Snow White and the Seven Ghosts | Prince | ||
| Futbolilits | Raphael Yamamoto | ||
| 2012–2013 | Game 'N Go | Host | TV5 |
| 2012 | Third Eye | Lucas | |
| 2012–2013 | Enchanted Garden | Mark Morgan | |
| 2013 | Kris TV | Recurring guest co-host | ABS-CBN |
| Toda Max | Victor | ||
| Cassandra: Warrior Angel | Lucas | TV5 | |
| Misibis Bay | Andrew Cadiz | ||
| 2014 | It's Showtime | Celebrity Judge | ABS-CBN |
| The Replacement Bride | Kael | TV5 | |
| Pinoy Big Brother: All In | Housemate (Big Winner) | ABS-CBN | |
| 2015 | Two Wives | Kenjie Celdran | |
| Ipaglaban Mo: Nakaw Na Sandali | Peter | ||
| R U Tough Enough: Philippines | Host/Ambassador | KIX | |
| 2016 | Be My Lady | Philip Oliviera | ABS-CBN |
| 2016–2021 | ASAP | Himself / Performer | |
| 2017 | I Can Do That | Contestant | |
| A Love to Last | Patrick Buendia | ||
| 2018 | Discover the Philippines | Host | Discovery Channel / TLC |
| 2018–2019 | Halik | Yohan Tanaka | ABS-CBN |
| 2020–2021 | Sunday 'Kada | Himself / Various characters | TV5 |
References
edit- ^ a b c Sacamos Karlo (21 February 2013). "Daniel Matsunaga shows he's more than just a pretty face in UFL's top flight". spin.ph. Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
- ^ "Daniel Matsunaga shares his healthy food business". entertainment.abs-cbn.com.
- ^ 8 Things You Don’t Know About Daniel Matsunaga
- ^ a b Lo, Ricky (25 April 2010). "The Boys from Brazil". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ Abs-Cbn (25 May 2014). "Pinoy Big Brother - Housemates". Entertainment.abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ "30 photos of Daniel Matsunaga from PBB All In: The Big Night". astig.ph. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
- ^ "Confidence is the New Sexy + The Modern Gentleman". www.ruthdelacruz.com. 12 May 2017.
- ^ a b c "One-on-one with Daniel Matsunaga". Bandera (in English and Filipino). Philippine Daily Inquirer. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Fabio Ide at Daniel Matsunaga, handa raw makasagupa ang mga Younghusband sa football" [Fabio Ide and Daniel Matsunaga said to be ready to face the Younghusbands in football]. GMA News (in Filipino). 11 October 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ Reyes, Jaelle Nevin (5 March 2017). "Matsunaga's Team Naxional tops Neymar Five PH leg". The Manila Times. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ "Neymar Jr's Five - Filippine". Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ Saldajeno, Ivan (6 August 2020). "Anton Del Rosario bares Maharlika Manila seeking PFL license". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Midfielder Daniel Matsunaga joins Maharlika FC". Panay News. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Daniel Matsunaga now a permanent PH resident". ABS-CBN News. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2019.