Sam Milby: From pretty boy to 'bad boy'

Sam gives life to the character of Eros Diomedes, a rich young man who grows up with a temper and many childhood issues because of his domineering family in "Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala".

You might not recognize pretty boy Sam Milby in the violent Eros, who beats up a provincial lass (played by Judy Ann Santos) in the upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala.” But turns out the meek and mild Sam in real life can turn into a monster of a man – on the small screen, that is.

Sam took a deep breath and plunged headlong into playing what he calls is a “gray” character, a bida-contrabida who vents his pent-up rage since childhood on a woman.

Calculated risk

He knows it’s a risk. But it’s a calculated one.

“You have to take a risk. You have to do things out of character. It’s the only way you can grow and see your potential. Hindi pwedeng kilig all the time.”

Sam is taking a cue from the late Hollywood actor Heath Ledger, who won a posthumous acting award for playing the evil Joker in “The Dark Knight.” The hunky heartthrob wasn’t afraid to shed his glamor boy looks and play a dark character. And his big gamble paid off.

“Nakuha niya ang respeto ng lahat sa ginawa niya. That really showed his versatility,” Sam notes.

Sam is humble enough to say that he doesn’t expect an acting nomination for taking the leap of faith in his career.

But he expects televiewers not just to hate Eros, but to pity him as well. The guy has a troubled past. And Sam wants to plays his cards right by making people see through Eros’ dark side.

It’s not easy. Sam can never ever hurt a woman in real life . But he can’t fake the blows he inflicts on Judy Ann.

“First time ko magkaroon ng role na nambugbog ng babae. Mahirap dayain ang paghawak ko. So pagkatapos ng eksena, nag-sorry ako kay Juday (Judy Ann). Nahiya ako sa kanya.”

Good feedback

His hard work paid off. Sam is proud to say he got good feedback from Judy Ann and his directors, Jerry Sineneng, Tots Sanchez-Mariscal and Malu Sevilla.

“Intense ako dito. I’m happy na meron akong chance to do this kind of role na kakaiba sa roles na ginawa ko dati.”

To top it all, he was able to brush up on his Fiipino, thanks to a Tagalog tutor who made Sam repeat tongue twisters in Tagalog, much to co-star KC Concepcion’s delight.

KC applauded Sam’s determination to learn the language, and even asked him to give the press a sample of the tongue twisters.


Now you see why Sam is excited about his new teleserye. It’s the result of his hard work and willingness to show a different side of him. And he can’t wait to see if his fans will like it the way he did.

“Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala” also stars John Estrada, Tirso Cruz III, Coney Reyes, Susan Africa, Mylene Dizonh, Matet de Leon and others. It premieres Monday, June 17 on ABS-CBN.

 http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/sam-millby--from-pretty-boy-to--bad-boy--124921626.html