" Sam Milby Goes Bad, He's Good "

Sam Milby (Folded & Hung promotional photo) 

Sam Milby’s boy-next-door looks and easy demeanor have served him well, earning the Fil-Am actor a loyal following that constantly supports his showbiz endeavors since 2005.

This is not to say that Milby simply relied on dashing good looks to build his career as proven by his more than successful forays in singing as with acting that has turned him into one of today’s instantly recognizable stars.

The 29-year-old, however, does not rest on his laurels. In fact, he has long wanted a change of pace in his career – a shift, so to speak, that would push him on to take more meaningful challenges. And serendipity seems to have heeded his wishes, with the antagonistic role of Eros in ABS-CBN’s top rating primetime drama “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala” having landed in his lap.

In the soap, where he is paired for the first time with actress Judy Ann Santos, Milby finds himself in unfamiliar grounds – playing a character that doesn’t rely on the formulaic “pa-pogi” or “pa-kilig” portrayals that he has done convincingly in the past.

If anything the role is rather gray, if all too complicated, Eros being the “bida-kontrabida” type. Not surprisingly, Milby relishes playing the role, branding it as a necessary part of his “growing process.”

“I accepted the role for two reasons: One reason being, who would not want to work with Judy Ann Santos? Second is the fact that I wanted to accept something challenging para sa akin. Something different naman na, you know, para ma-i-pakita ko ‘yung growth and versatility ko as an actor,” he told Bulletin Entertainment.

His Cornerstone and Star Magic management concur, describing the move as Milby’s “most daring.”

“This is really Sam’s goal as well as we go into his eighth year in the business: to be a serious actor,” they added.

Not that it is doing damage on Milby’s image, as the actor has recently inked a new endorsement contract as the newest face of SM Milanos Shoes.

The fans are reacting favorably, too, with some only too quick to heap Milby praises. Then again, there are those who now hate his character with apparent ferociousness. Of course, Milby saw it coming.

“I was expecting talaga na maraming magagalit sa akin dahil sa role pero sa akin ang ibig sabihin noon, siyempre, na effective ang portrayal ko,” he said.

He adds, “It’s nice kasi imbis na sabihin na sobrang galit ’yung mga tao na naiinis sa character, laging may kadugtong sa ending na, ‘You're doing so great portraying Eros' role. Keep it up!’ Laging may positive
ending.”

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 http://mb.com.ph/Entertainment/Entertainment_Main/22516/Sam_Milby_Goes_Bad_He …