Daniel Kenji Silva Matsunaga is a Brazilian-born Filipino model, actor, professional footballer, host, and businessman of Brazilian-Japanese descent who became known in the Philippines by appearing in Cosmopolitan Philippines’ September 2009 "Cosmo Men" supplement. He was discovered 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 and was declared as the PBB All-In big winner in 2014.
Early life
Matsunaga was born in Brasilia, capital of Brazil. His mother, Gerarda Silva, is Brazilian while his father, Paulo Mitsuo Matsunaga, is Japanese Brazilian. He has a brother and a sister.
Career
Modelling and acting
Matsunaga 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 seriesThe 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 season. On 24 August 2014, he was declared as the big winner of Pinoy Big Brother: All In In May 2017, Daniel Matsunaga is introduced as the first male endorser for Avon Philippines' Men's Club during the "Confidence is the New Sexy" campaign launch. He reflects the "Modern Gentleman" who is a man of style, adventure, and confidence.
Football
Matsunaga started playing football during his childhood and aspired to play for the Brazilian national football team before he got involved in showbiz. 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. He played in the now defunct United Football League starting in Division 2 playing for Team Socceroo in 2011 playing with fellow model actor Fabio Ide. He then moved to Division 1 club Pachanga Diliman during the 2012 UFL Cup, before eventually moving to Stallion for the 2013 season. For the 2014 season he moved to Kaya. 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. The world final held in Brazil was contested by 53 other countries with Romania emerging as champions.
Personal life
Daniel Matsunaga is a Christian. He became a naturalized Filipino citizen in December 2014.
