Enchong Dee

Ernest Lorenzo "Enchong" Velasquez Dee (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈentʃɔŋ di], born November 5, 1988)^[2] is a Filipino actor, comedian, model, host, swimmer, triathlete, duathlete and writer. Dee is a contract artist of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. He came to prominence after starring in his first major TV drama Katorse (2009). He played the role of "Luis" in the Filipino remake Maria la del Barrio (2011). He also starred in Ina, Kapatid, Anak (2012–13), and Muling Buksan ang Puso. He is the younger brother of actor and model, AJ Dee.

Enchong Dee was born at 8:21 pm on November 5, 1988,^[1] at Mother Seton Hospital in Naga, Camarines Sur, to Johnson Molina Dee and Maria Theresa Diño Velasquez.^[2] He has two brothers, Angel James Dee, who is also an actor, while his younger brother, Isiah Dee, is a student in De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde. Enchong also has a young sister, Angelika Dee, who is a student in Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Cubao, Quezon City.

He graduated from Naga Hope Christian School. He further pursued his swimming career at De La Salle University in Manila. Dee was part of the Philippine national swimming team and has participated in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila, 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar and 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Dee graduated with a degree in Political Science in De La Salle University.^[3]

Dee's first TV appearance in television came in 2006 when he appeared in a Philippine talk show Homeboy as one of the guests. He caught the eye of a modeling agency and advertisers and soon appeared in several advertising campaigns including Close Up, Bench, KFC and Timex.

In May 2007, Dee's contract with KFC expired and a few years later he transferred to Jollibee.

Dee landed several acting roles beginning in 2007 which have included Abt Ur Luv, Sineserye, Komiks, Your Song and My Girl.

In 2009, he was added to the main cast of Katorse, an adaptation of the 1968 film (that was also remade in 1981).

In 2010, he then reunited with some of his co-stars, Erich Gonzales and Ejay Falcon, in Tanging Yaman. He then became part of Magkaribal. He starred in the film, Sa 'yo Lamang where he gained award nominations and won the Gawad PASADO for Best Supporting Actor. Enchong gained his first movie lead role, alongside his premiere leading lady, Erich Gonzales, in I Do.

In 2011, he starred in the Philippines' remake of Maria La Del Barrio as Luis de la Vega.

He recently appeared in the 2012 film, The Reunion, with Enrique Gil, Xian Lim and Kean Cipriano. After co-starring in 2012–2013 teleserye Ina, Kapatid, Anak alongside Kim Chiu and Maja Salvador, he appeared in Muling Buksan Ang Puso with Julia Montes and Enrique Gil.

Dee won the one-million pesos briefcase in the August 18, 2012, episode of "Kapamilya Deal Or No Deal" together with his "The Reunion" co-star Kean Cipriano.

In 2014, Dee release his first carrier single, Chinito Problems, as response to Yeng Constantino's 2013 hit Chinito.

In 2023, Dee has ended his affiliation with KP&PR&EMS, Inc. The statement reads "This is to make public the fact that Mr. Ernest Lorenzo V. Dee, a Filipino swimmer, is no longer represented, directly or indirectly by KP&PR&EMS, Inc., with offices at 8 Dapdap Road, Forbes Park, Makati City, effective as of 31 December 2022."

Dee is a champion swimmer and a former member of Philippines Swimming Team. He represented the country in international swimming competition.^[4]

He was a star swimmer of Dela Salle University. He won 7 gold medals in swimming division at the 72nd UAAP Swimming Championship.^[5]

At 17 years old, Dee made his debut at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), where he finished in 6th place which was held in Manila.^[5] He also competed in 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar and ended in 2nd place. He returned to SEA Games in 2007 and competed in Men's 100 butterfly finals in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The next year, Dee competed again at 2009 SEA games which served as his last competition before his retirement.^[5]

In 2014, Dee led Amway Fun Run in SM Mall of Asia grounds.^[6] He participated in 2019 Osaka Marathon in 42 kilometers distance, finishing 4 hours and 23 minutes held in Japan.^[7]

Dee participated in Ironman 70.3 Triathlon held in Cebu in 2017 and 2018.^[8] He also competed in 2018 Regent Aguila 70.3 Ironman Asia Pacific Championship in Cebu City.^[9]

Dee owned several restaurants with 4 branches of Peri-peri Charcoal Chicken located at SM Megamall, U.P Town Center, Marquee Mall and Market Market.^[10]

In 2020, he also invested into food production business with a shrimp farm known as Palaya Shirm Farm located in Palauig, Zambales.^[11] His farm has 7 Villas, field sets filled with fruit bearing trees, ponds and circular tanks with shrimps and soon to be filled with milkfish or bangus.^[12]

In 2021, Dee with fellow actor Joshua Garcia as business partner opened a music school, "Academy of Rock (AOR) Philippines" in 2021. The school is dedicated to teach rock and popular music.^[13] The music school offer lessons in pop music theory, electric guitar, electric bass guitar, pop and rock vocals and drums. Academy of Rock (AOR) founded by Priscilla Teo and originated in Singapore.^[14]

• Media related to Enchong Dee at Wikimedia Commons
• Athlete page at the Asian Games
• Enchong Dee at IMDb
• Enchong Dee on Facebook
• Enchong Dee on Instagram
• Enchong Dee's channel on YouTube