Sam Milby's Indie Film, "Third World Happy" from Cinema One Global showing at Zeum Theater, San Francisco, August 14, Sunday

Yeng, Rayver, Gelo of Barangay USA, Sam Milby's indie movie lead TFC at Pistahan 2011 in SF


Star-studded TFC participation at the 18th Pistahan Parade & Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens on August 13-14


Aug 11, 2011 - The International Festival of Filipino Culture and Cuisine -The Pistahan Parade and Festival at Yerba Buena, August 13 & 14, this Saturday & Sunday - the largest annual Filipino celebration in San Francisco! 


Now on its 18th year, the festival will feature: Filipino American Jazz Festival, Adobo Cook-Off, Balut Eating Contest, Art Pavilion, Dance Pavilion, Culinary Pavilion, Heritage Pavilion, Creativity Pavilion, Live Entertainment on two stages, and more! 


Parade/Opening Ceremonies/Booths, August 13, Saturday 
Catch TFC at the parade on August 13, Saturday, starting 11am, from Market and Beale Streets to Yerba Buena Gardens at Market and Mission. 



See the Balitang America news team and the Adobo Nation Barkada on the colorful TFC float with TFC marchers representing! 


http://pistahan.net/parade/schedule.html 
http://pistahan.net/parade/route.html 


Opening Ceremony at 2pm on the main stage at Yerba Buena Gardens to be hosted by Balitang America! 


Visit the TFC & Other Products' Booths at the Yerba Buena Gardens for exciting games and activities! 


Sam Milby's Indie Film, "Third World Happy" from Cinema One Global showing at Zeum Theater, August 14, Sunday (FREE!!!  A short walk from Yerba Buena Gardens. First come, first served seating) 


First screening - 11:30am-1pm 
Second screening - 5:30-7pm 


http://www.zeum.org/visitor/directions.html 





THIRD WORLD HAPPY 
   Sam Milby / Jodi Sta. Maria / Richard Quan 


Wesley is a 32-year-old naturalized Fil-American living in New York City. Twelve years earlier he left his grandmother and brother in the Philippines in order to pursue his dream of becoming a painter. But the years of keeping up with the American way of life, coupled with the guilt of leaving his family behind, have taken their toll and Wesley is no closer to achieving his dream. 


In the middle of his life-crisis away from his homeland, he suddenly gets a phone-call saying that a loved one back in the Philippines has died. The problem is that two weeks before he came to New York, a tragic accident had taken the lives of his parents, and since then he has never looked at a dead body in a coffin or gone inside a funeral home. 


Throughout his homecoming his brother, his friends, an aunt and an ex-girlfriend remind him of what life is truly all about. They also help him shine some light on his struggles back in the States as well as his more immediate struggle: to look at his loved one in the coffin, to finally say his last goodbye, to get on with his life and start chasing his dream again. 





TFC Hour, August 14, Sunday 2-3pm 
Expect a megaton of fun and energy with adorable and wacky host Gelo of Barangay USA as host!  See red-hot actor-dancer-model Rayver Cruz in action-packed dance numbers!  Listen to Yeng Constantino, 2011 five-time winner of the MYX Philippines Music Awards, rock the house down with his power belter vocals!!!  And there will be an exciting game with Cinema One!  Don't miss this super show at the Pistahan! 


Meet & Greet with Yeng & Rayver, Zeum Theater, 4-5pm (only the first 150 buyers of Yeng and Rayver CDs from the TFC booths will be given access to the Meet & Greet) 


For more information and the full schedule of other Pistahan activities on August 13-14, visit http://blog.pistahan.net/


About ABS-CBN International 
ABS-CBN International was created over 15 years ago to be of service to all Filipinos. With the launch of The Filipino Channel (TFC), the company became the first and most successful Filipino content distribution company in the U.S. The company offers telecommunication, retail, theatricals, money remittance and cargo services, online audio and video streaming, IPTV, On Demand, along with philanthropic support for Filipinos and the communities they now call home. Based in Redwood City, CA, ABS-CBN International is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation, the Philippines’ largest entertainment and broadcasting company, through ABS-CBN Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary, ABS-CBN Global Hungary Kft. For more information, visit www.abs-cbnglobal.com.


http://www.prlog.org/11621658-yeng-rayver-gelo-of-barangay-usa-sam-milbys-indie-movie-lead-tfc-at-pistahan-2011-in-sf.html

THIRD WORLD HAPPY starring Sam Milby at the Zeum Theater of Yerba Buena Gardens in SF California on Aug. 14 at 1pm & 4pm

@ABSCBNPublish THIRD WORLD HAPPY starring @samuelmilby at the Zeum Theater of Yerba  Buena Gardens in SF California on Aug. 14 at 1 pm  & 4 pm

Third World Happy is Milby’s masterpiece

Monday, 20 June 2011 00:00

 
MATINEE idol Sam Milby's first Cinema One Originals movie Third World Happy may perhaps be his masterpiece.

The story unfurls the simple life of a "balikbayan" named Wesley (played by Milby) who has left the Philippines and his girlfriend in order to pursue his dream of becoming a painter. Everything changes when he returned to attend a funeral and reunites with his friends. They help him shine some light on his struggles: to look at his loved one in the coffin, to finally say his last goodbye, to get on with his life and start chasing his dream again.

Jodi Sta. Maria's role as Aylyn, Wesley's former girlfriend, manifests strength of women in facing heartbreak and family challenges, all at the same time. Here, Aylyn is a single mom, working hard as a teacher for her 13-year-old on son. As she meets Wesley again, after 13 years, she'll finally received the explanation she has always been wanting--why she was left behind by her beloved guy.

Kuya Danny (Richard Quan), on the other hand, has always been the supportive big brother of Wes, who never ventured on anything only for himself, but always for his family. Kuya Danny teaches Wes life's most important lesson.

Third World Happy is directed and written by EJ Salcedo, who currently produces, writes and directs short films, TV commercials, corporate and music videos. He also directs for television.

Milby's notable performance in the said film gained him a Best Actor nomination in the prestigious 34th Gawad Urian Awards of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Sta. Maria earlier garnered a Best Supporting Actress trophy in the Cinema One Originals 2010 awards.

Direk EJ says about this film: "This is a semi-autobiographical story. I combined homecoming and the stories of artists not being able to pursue their dreams to build the story of Third World Happy.

What will moviegoers learn from movie Third World Happy? Direk Ej explained, "I wanted to tell this story to remind people that if they are given the chance to pursue their dreams, they should never waste it. Most people never get that chance."

In a review published in South Korea's Jeonju International Film Festival website, Kim Se-jin said, "The film carefully unfolds Wesley's painful past one by one while he keeps meeting his close friends living a life different with the dreams which they had in their youth and his ex-lover which broke up with him when he left for the US. She is living her tough life with a 13-year-old son and her mother now. Finally, he confronts the weight of the heavy time lying between the one who left and the one who was left during the funeral. The film consoles the audience and Wesley by showing the sincere strength of the everyday life and the process of his reconciliation with his painful past." *

http://www.goldstardailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4264&Itemid=272

I am happy for Sam.  He truly deserves all the praises for his role on this movie.

Sam Milby has made two indie films during his career

"Third World Happy" 2010 

The lead role of Wesley is played by Sam Milby, while Jodi Sta. Maria plays Aylyn, Wesley’s former girlfriend.

The story unfurls the simple life of a “balikbayan” named Wesley (played by Milby) who has left the Philippines and his girlfriend in order to pursue his dream of becoming a painter. Everything changes when he returned to attend a funeral and reunites with his friends. They help him shine some light on his struggles: to look at his loved one in the coffin, to finally say his last goodbye, to get on with his life and start chasing his dream again.

Jodi Sta. Maria’s role as Aylyn, Wesley’s former girlfriend, manifests strength of women in facing heartbreak and family challenges, all at the same time. Here, Aylyn is a single mom, working hard as a teacher for her 13-year-old on son. As she meets Wesley again, after 13 years, she’ll finally receive the explanation she has always been wanting—why she was left behind by her beloved guy.

Sam’s notable performance in “Third World Happy” won for him the “Best Actor” nomination in the 34th Urian Awards of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. For the movie, Jodi earlier won a Best Supporting Actress in the Cinema One Originals 2010 Awards.

The first one was Cul De Sac, directed by Juan Miguel Sevilla in 2008. Sam's character was a bad boy in this suspense-thrillermovie about people working in the call center industry. 

When Sam's character becomes a witness to a murder, he is thrown into an obsessive urge to solve it. His life becomes even more complicated when a menacing tall man stalks his every move and he encounters a mysterious lounge singer (played by Chin-Chin) who might be able to provide answers to his questions.

As he gets closer and closer to the truth, however, he finds himself right back where he started: the past he so desperately wants to escape.

Viewers are given fair warning: "what you see is not always what you get." 

Other casts: Chin-Chin Gutierrez, Jodi Sta. Mary, and Albert Martinez. "

Sourses: Pep; Starmometer, Manila Bulletin

'Third World Happy' tells sad story of a US balikbayan

Celebrity World
'Third World Happy' tells sad story of a US balikbayan
By CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN
June 2, 2011, 7:00am

MANILA, Philippines -- The drama, “Third World Happy” should have been entitled “Third World Sad” because it evolves from the tragic experience of a balikbayan who, after staying in the US to pursue the American Dream, comes home to the Philippines to attend a funeral.

The lead role of Wesley is played by Sam Milby, while Jodi Sta. Maria plays Aylyn, Wesley’s former girlfriend.

Sam’s notable performance in “Third World Happy” won for him the “Best Actor” nomination in the 34th Urian Awards of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. For the movie, Jodi earlier won a Best Supporting Actress in the Cinema One Originals 2010 Awards.
The story tells the desire of Wesley to pursue a career in painting in the United States, but has to come back to the Philippines because of a tragedy – the death of his former girlfriend.

Director EJ Salcedo said he needed an actor who could speak with an American accent as Wesley stayed in the US for years.

“We shot [the film] eight days straight,” Direk EJ stressed. “I feel so honored working with well-known actors!”

The director, who also wrote the script, said that the movie is based on his experiences in the United States, until he came home to witness the funeral of a former girlfriend.

Salcedo writes, produces, and directs short films, TV commercials, music videos.

“This is a semi-autobiographical story. I combined homecoming and the stories of artists not being able to pursue their dreams to build the story of Third World Happy,” Salcedo said.

Asked what role Sam would prefer in forthcoming movie projects, “I would like to do something like being a vampire or something weird. It would challenge me,” he said.

Sam claimed he is “loveless” at the moment.


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/320815...-us-balikbayan

Coping with grief, coming to terms

By Mario A. Hernando (The Philippine Star) Updated June 02, 2011 12:00

Sam Milby with Melissa Mendez in a scene from the film| 

Film review: Third World Happy
It’s a role tailor-made for Sam Milby. Wesley Tecson is a quiet, brooding, regular guy who speaks Tagalog with an American accent, a homecoming artist from the United States. Wesley flew to the US on a scholarship grant after spending his early years in Sampaloc, Manila. Years of mingling with US natives appear to have obliterated his ease with the Tagalog language. He now sports a foreign twang. Sam’s Filipino handicap, if one may call it that, echoes Wesley’s, and as evident in his previous work, his soap operas, he’s a good, underrated actor and artist who could stretch his thespic range further in other realistic dramas like this one. By any means, he should not be confined to maudlin boob tube fare.
Sam benefits from a script, which for the most part, requires him to be low-key and taciturn even in an emotional scene — a reunion with an old flame. Then he pulls off effectively a climactic breakdown scene. Deservingly, Sam earned a best actor nomination from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino at the recent Gawad Urian.
Wesley is part of the Filipino diaspora. His return to Motherland stirs in him mixed feelings of happy anticipation and deep loss. The movie shows locals teasingly and repetitively comparing him to real-life heartthrob Sam to show, in passing, celebrity-obsessed local folk. “You look like Sam Milby!” they kid him more than once. (The idea has been used as a joke in a 1956 Lucille Ball comedy Forever Darling, recently on Turner Classic Movies, in which the comic superstar meets an angel from heaven, played by James Mason, and she tells him that he looks like... James Mason.)

One difference between Sam and Wesley is that Wesley doesn’t stay here long enough to get spotted by talent scouts and join a popular reality TV show. But the short visit is enough for him to find closure (it’s a word that many locals in real life overuse).

When the movie opens, we see Wesley working at an art gallery in the Big Apple, obviously still a struggling artist. A phone call from Manila and an urgent voice asks him to come home, and in a snap he’s home, from First World cheer to Third World gloom. No, he does not go home to the squalor and slums we see in other indie films, this, happily, not being another poverty porn, and filth and misery notbeing the concerns of the story. Profound grief is, since someone in Wesley’s family has died.

An expectant moviegoer may observe that the movie is taking time to reveal who that departed person is. When Wes first sets foot on the funeral parlor, he does not proceed to the casket to view his loved one’s remains, which allows the actor to save his dramatic moment for a later time.

In any case, Wesley seems to have had a happy childhood among carefree, generally worry-free folk. The neighborhood he grew up in is relatively spic-n-span, could even be a candidate for a civic society’s cleanest barangay award, just the Manila other indie filmmakers turn their digital cameras away from.

One by one, Wes meets the people who mattered in his pre-US life: Aunt Beth (Melissa Mendez) and her husband (Archi Adamos), his best friend Lyndon (Archie Alemania) and the old gang, with whom he catches up and reminisces about the old days but not before he catches two of them engaging in a bit of gossip about him. Still, reunited and in celebration, the barkada has fun sharing beer and listening to a nostalgic pop tune, Long Hair by a ’90s band called Weed, a piece of music in a score that is kept appropriately to a necessary minimum.
Wesley is welcomed and is seen in conversations with his Kuya Danny, played by Richard Quan, in pristine white tee and later, long-sleeved shirt. The two souls’ reunion is casual, as they indulge in a light banter, refer to BMWs (babaeng mahilig sa wheels, a joke that belongs to a much earlier time, the early ’60s), do some fraternal bonding. Danny engages in philosophical musings about Luna’sSpoliarium and life being a blank canvas on which it is up to us to decide what picture to paint and which colors to use. In this case, it is the director talking. Danny’s advice is intended as much for the audience as for the younger brother.

In close-up, Danny is bathed in a warm, radiant glow, exuding a certain air of otherworldliness ­— wise, encouraging, understanding, forgiving, almost saintly. The scenes between the brothers work, as do the other scenes, thanks in large measure to the actors’ natural style and to Ogi Sugatan’s cinematography.

Wes sees the pretty and sentimental, long-suffering Aylynn, the girl he left behind, played by Jodi Santamaria. Many in the audience may find it incredulous that after a dozen years, Lynn hasn’t quite moved on and come to terms with having been jilted by a lover.

Read more:

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=692165

Sam Milby talks about Third World Happy

Did you miss the "Third World Happy" ? There´s still a change!

New Movie Info Third World Happy

Marikina
Cinema 4
P140.00

May 31, 2011
2:15 PM , 4:40 PM , 7:05 PM , 9:30 PM

Megamall
Cinema 7
P160.00

May 31, 2011
1:00 PM , 3:00 PM , 5:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 9:00 PM

North Edsa
Cinema 5
P140.00

May 31, 2011
11:00 AM , 1:00 PM

Southmall
Cinema 9
P142.00

May 31, 2011
1:05 PM , 3:00 PM , 5:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 9:00 PM


http://www.smcinema.com/smcinema/ind...rd+World+Happy

Sam Milby sheds off his boy-next-door image in “Third World Happy”

By Karen Valeza | omg! Philippines News Blog – 10 hours ago



Photo courtesy of Happy Third World Film

People have seen young actor Sam Milby in roles where he plays the dashing leading man, or a charmer in a romantic-comedy films, or a an elegant bachelor in TV dramas. But, Sam Milby sheds off these images to an emotionally-stricken Filipino-American artist in the Cinema One Originals film, "Third World Happy," which is directed by EJ Salcedo.

Sam Milby plays the role of Wesley, a balikbayan who left the Philippines and went to the US to pursue his dream as a painter. Unlike most people perceptions of the US as always a green pasture, the film shows Wesley's struggle of achieving his dreams, loss of his loved ones, his homecoming and letting go and moving on with his life.

People can see Sam in a different light in this film as he veered away from his good-looking and boy next door image and traded this to a heavily emotional character who faces his struggles in life. Many say that this is Sam's breakthrough film for effectively portraying a balikbayan with a painful past who still has to face other challenges in his homecoming. In the 34th Gawad Urian Awards, Sam was nominated for "Best Actor."

EJ, who also produces short films, TV commercials and corporate and music videos, is also the film's screenwriter. He had no one else on his mind to portray the lead role, but Sam. "Half the movie is in English since he's Filipino-American so I wanted somebody who can talk the slang. Because in the movie, he's in the States for 13 years. I knew that Sam is a Fil-American and he could give such emotions about missing home, friends and family," EJ told Yahoo! OMG! Philippines at the press conference held in Polari Club in Quezon City last week.

The film's director is indeed happy of getting Sam to play the lead role, after talking to ABS-CBN's Johnny Manahan for his approval. "Sure enough, I'm such a good casting agent. He's perfect, he was nominated in the festival and he was nominated in Urian," EJ added. They filmed the movie for six days.

"Third World Happy" is Sam's second indie film with "Cul de Sac" as his first indie project. And what made Sam do another indie film and a role different from his usual characters? "You really get to have an out-of-the-box role to really improve on your craft. Tapos nakilala ko si direk EJ, sabi nya sa akin, wala nang ibang tao na nasa isip nya kundi ako. So my management was also the one who suggested that I should do this," Sam told Yahoo! OMG Philippines.

Sam also added he gets to work with new directors and he can also have his own say and opinion when doing an indie film. "Very open para sa mga opinion ng mga artista nila, I got to explore on my own. In this film siguro, I did a lot of underacting because I just kept inside until the end. That one scene, medyo nahirapan kami, syempre, saying goodbye to a loved one for the last time," Sam said.

Despite the number of films and TV dramas Sam has done in the past and also the similarity of his character being a Filipino-American, Sam found his role very challenging in terms of keeping and understanding his emotions. "Yung character medyo baligtad kami kase siya lumaki dito sa Pilipinas. Ako, syempre, lumaki doon sa States. Sya gusto nyang tuparin yung pangarap nya na maging artist sa States. Ako pumunta ako dito para tuparin ang pangarap ko. But, I think it was definitely difficult sa akin kase yung character ko, syempre yung mga nararamdaman nya, nasa loob-loob nya. But the most difficult thing for me was to really keep it inside and understand him at the same time," Sam said.

Sam is very happy and proud of this project that he got to showcase his craft in acting and show his fans a different side of him. He also regrets that he has not yet watched the film before the press conference due to his tight schedule. "I don't like watching myself, but this one I really want to see. And I appreciate the great comments too, of course also being nominated in the Urian awards, that's one of the most respected award-giving body. And it's my first time being nominated for Best Actor. I'm very happy with everything that came out with this movie," Sam shared.

In the film, Sam acts alongside Jodi Sta. Maria who plays the role of his former girlfriend, Alyn. Sam has worked with Jodi in various projects including his first indie film "Cul de Sac" and the ongoing TV series "100 Days." Talking about Jodi, "My first indie film I was also with her. We've worked with each other before. Nakakatulong talaga pag magaling yung mga kasama mo. It's a give and take sa mga eksena. Being with Jodi, it really helped me also talaga," Sam said. Jodi won the "Best Supporting Actress" in the Cinema One Originals 2010 awards.

Showing happiness and loneliness in different aspects in the film, Sam was asked what makes him happy and lonely. "I enjoy the work that I do. I like the movie, that's very challenging for me. What makes me happy is yung family ko. Nung nagtour kami sa States, nakita ko yung mom ko, yung sister ko, yung niece ko. Things that I love, I got to do motocross on my birthday," Sam said.

The young actor said that's he's generally happy and not lonely but also admits that having a love life gives him an inspiration. "Hindi naman ako lonely. I do live alone and I can be lonely sometimes being alone. Pero syempre, in terms of lovelife, masarap naman na may inspirasyon, may taong laging pwedeng kausapin pag may problema. That's what is great of having a lovelife. In terms of being lonely, in the sense, I'm really not lonely naman. I have lots of work," Sam shared.

Now that Sam has proven his versatility and talent in acting various roles, he is now more excited in doing challenging roles. "I just wanna keep growing on different roles. I just don't wanna be stereotyped as one. I'd like to be looked as versatile. I think it is important to do indie films and out-of-the-box roles," Sam said. Sam is no longer just your typical boy-next-door.

"Third World Happy" is currently being shown on selected SM Cinemas nationwide until May 31.

http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/blogs/omgphn...040805170.html

Sam loves doing ‘indie’ films

MARIO BAUTISTA

‘I like doing indie films since I can go out of the box and improve my craft as an actor. –Sam Milby’

SAM Milby got his first best actor nomination for the movie "Third World Happy" in the Cinema One Digital Filmfest and the Urian Awards, playing the character of a lonely balikbayan from New York, who returns home to Manila for the wake of his older brother.

The film is a directorial debut of TV commercial director EJ Salcedo.

"My character, Wesley, and I are opposites in real life," Sam said. "He was born here and went to US to pursue his dream, while in real life, I was born there and came here. I like doing indie films since I can go out of the box and improve my craft as an actor."

Direk EJ had to talk to Johnny Manahan of Star Magic to allow Sam to do the film. "Sam is the only actor I can think of that is perfect for the lead role. I made a power point presentation and showed it to Mr. Manahan… Then he said, ‘is it like a Woody Allen film?’ I said yes and he immediately permitted Sam to do the movie," the director said.

Supporting Sam in the film are Jodi Sta. Maria as the girlfriend he left behind (who won the Cinema One best supporting actress award for her performance here), Richard Quan as his dead brother, Melissa Mendez and Archie Adamos as his aunt and uncle, and Archie Alemania as his best friend.

Now showing in some SM cinemas – North EDSA, Megamall, Fairview, Manila, Sta. Mesa, Southmall, Marikina, Cebu, and Iloilo – "Third World Happy" will run up to May 31.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may30/ent_mario.html

Sam Milby Grateful to the Man Behind ‘Third World Happy’ May 28, 2011

May 28, 2011 by ABS-CBN

His controlled performance in the indie film "Happy Third World"for Sam Milby Earned his first Best Actor nomination of Uriah.

His character as Wesley in "Third World Happy" May Be Differentfrom his real self, But One Thing's for Sure, they has Learned a lotfrom his first-ever Cinema One Originals' movie. "It let me get out of the box," they said. DURING a Press Conference Held at PolariComedy Club, Tomas Morato recently, Milby expressed gratitudefor the Opportunity Given Thurs him by the creator of the film,director EJ Salcedo.
"Third World Happy" is also Life Salcedo's first movie, Which isCurrently showing in selected SM Cinemas Nationwide. Is showingUntil May 31 For more information, log-on Thu
www.facebook.com/Cinema1channel.
http://www.starmometer.com/2011/05/28/sam-milby-grateful-to-the-man-behind-third-world-happy/
Sam Milby was nominated as best actor of his movie Third Word Happy in Cinema Originals Awards 2010