Chico Garcia may be shorter than host Candice Olson, but she always seems to be looking up at him as the electrician climbs up on a ladder to hang a chandelier or install yet another pot light. The 46-year-old father of three boys was born in the Philippines, went to school in Germany and now lives in Toronto, Canada.
Garcia says he knew he wanted to be an electrician since childhood. "I’ve been fascinated with the light bulb since grade school." When he was 24 he left Manila and later trained at the Donbosco Technical Institute in Germany. "It’s the best technical school for electrical courses in Europe."
Though he attended Donbosco on a soccer scholarship, Garcia says he no longer plays or even follows the sport. "My passion now is golf!"
The 5 foot 6-1/2 inch Garcia met the 6 foot 2 inch Olson in the mid 1990s. "Candice had a problem regarding one of her projects, so she called one of her suppliers asking for someone who can do the job. And that’s how we met. She's very down-to-earth, easy-going, smart, witty and has a good sense of humor."
Garcia says he has installed hundreds of pot lights during his time on the show, but says the recessed fixtures are not the only way to go. "It depends on the design application, the space and the area because pot lights are not the only solution to a lighting situation."
When it comes to lighting challenges he's faced on the show, Garcia is fearless. "All installations are challenging, but because I use my head plus my years of experience in the business, I’m able to tackle every single one."
Besides projects for Divine Design, Garcia keeps busy with his own electrical contracting and lighting design business. "Calling Chico G. is a relatively easy way of improving the lighting in a typical living room."
In his down time, Garcia enjoys listening to jazz and riding one of his three motorcycles. "I have one custom by Jesse James, one sports bike and one cruiser. They're all my favorites."
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