Sam: I’m my worst critic

One of the most talked-about comebacks to primetime drama is that of Sam Milby in Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala. The actor — who once talked about launching a career in the US and actually spent a few months in New York to audition for projects — is excited to be back on television and working with Judy Ann Santos, no less.

Sam admits that in the beginning, he was intimidated by the Pinoy Soap Opera Queen. Of course, a lot of his opinions of her were formed not by actual experience (since he did not grow up in the Philippines, nor did he watch a lot of Tagalog movies and TV shows) but by the opinions of other people.  “I know her, how great she is, but I haven’t been able to witness it myself,” says Sam. “But doing scenes with her, minsan may mga eksena, nagkukuwentuhan kami bago mag-take, ’yung kuwentuhan na tumatawa siya. Tapos kapag nag-‘action!’ iyak agad siya. Hindi na kailangan mag-prepare. On cue ang luha niya. There’s a reason why she lasted this long in showbiz. Hindi lang dahil sobrang mahusay siya sa pag-acting, pero sobrang mabait din. She’s very nice and very patient with me. I’m very thankful ako na kasama ko siya kasi when you’re with someone na ganun kahusay, you learn a lot. I mean, she’s an ideal artist na amazing actress, mahusay. Behind the scenes, just being on the set, sobrang mabait siya to everyone, the whole production and the staff.

Sam has grown so much as an actor since he did his first teleserye, Maging Sino Ka Man. His Tagalog has improved a lot and even in his choice of projects, he has become more picky and discriminating. Thus, it was no surprise that one of his recent indie film projects, the Adolf Alix-directed Death March, made it to the Cannes Film Festival. Sam flew to Cannes, France and spent two days there. At first, he had no idea of how the whole thing would go, but he was happy to be there, rubbing elbows on the red carpet with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Lawrence (of Silver Linings Playbook) and even Justin Timberlake. “The fact na pumasok siya sa Cannes Film Festival, that’s a huge thing, that’s a worldwide thing,” says Sam of the movie. And that alone is an honor, to be part of a movie that is in Cannes.

Of course, an actor’s life isn’t always perfect. In the case of Death March, there were some mixed reviews when it was screened at Cannes, and some of the reports even claimed that people walked out of the theater because they weren’t happy with what they saw.

Sam says he isn’t bothered by what other people think about the movie. He has always been his own worst critic anyway, and is tougher on himself than most.  “More than anybody, you’re always your own worst critic. So ako, I’m happy with what I did,” says Sam when we talked to him at the launch of his latest endorsement for SM’s Milano shoes. “’Yon ang importante. At the same time, there’s some hurt in it. Pero ako, I use it as constructive criticism. I don’t use it as something to hurt me. Kung tama naman sila, I will work on it. I’m always the one to criticize myself. Syempre, when you hear bad things, it hurts. But sometimes, there are good things, and they make me happy. But at the same time, alam ko na kaya kong gawin na mas maganda sa ginawa ko.

Although he is making good with his career back on local shores, Sam still hasn’t given up the idea of making it in Hollywood. In fact, he plans on going there again, and the visit will coincide with what is known in the US television industry as “pilot season” when new shows are developed and casting takes place. This is from January to May every year. “No, I’m not giving up (on my US dream),” emphasizes Sam. “Kung may time ako, gusto kong bumalik. Pero kung dere-derecho ang trabaho ko dito, I will have to stay here.”

And that, we’re sure, is news that his fans will be happy to hear.

Philpop 2013 finals night on TV5

The Philpop 2013 finals night at the Meralco Theater (to be telecast on TV5 on July 20 at 9 p.m.) will showcase the Top 12 songs interpreted by an impressive list of artists, and will also feature top brass performers.

Among the Top 12 songs are: Araw, Ulap, Langit (performed by Christian Bautista and written by Marlon Bbarnuevo); Askal (performed by Jose and Wally and written by Ganny Brown); Dati (performed by Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos featuring Quest and written by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana); Kung Di Man (performed by Ney Dimaculangan and written by Johnoy Danao); Pansamantagal (performed by Sitti Navarro and Julianne Tarroja and written by Jungee Marcelo); Papel (performed by Joey Ayala and Gloc-9 featuring Denise Barbacena and written by Joey Ayala); Sana Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako (performed by Kimpoy Feliciano and written by Myrus Apacible); Sa’yo Na Lang Ako (performed by Karylle and written by Lara Maigue); Segundo (performed by Yael Yuzon and written by Paul Armesin); Sometimes That Happens (performed by Ace Libre of Never The Strangers and written by Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura and Nino Regalado); Space (performed by Banda Ni Kleggy and Kean Cipriano of Callalily and written by Raffy Calicdan); and Time Machine (performed by Six Part Invention and written by Kennard Faraon).

The show will open with a special duet by Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera arranged by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. Another musical segment will feature Ogie Alcasid (who doubles as host with Jasmine Curtis-Smith) and Charice joining voices with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, The CompanY, 5AZ1, Baihana, the Opera and beat box artist Mike Salomon for an a cappella medley of current popular songs arranged by the Maestro.

The Philpop 2013 songwriting competition will award one grand prize winner with a specially commissioned Ramon Orlina trophy and P1M.

Other prizes at stake are P500,000 for the first runner-up; P250,000, second runner- up; and P100,000 each for the Smart People’s Choice awardee and the Meralco special award winner, all with their own Orlina trophy.

A Philpop 2013 album is also available on www.mymusicstore.com, iTunes and www.smart.com.ph/music and other record bars nationwide.