Sam Milby changes gears

MANILA, Philippines - Sam Milby not only relied on dashing good looks to build his career on, but trusted also to talent, particularly his satisfactory crooning and his occasional forays into acting that turned him into an instantly recognizable star.

Sam has been wanting to change the pace of his career. A shift, so to speak, that would push him on to take more challenges.

As if on cue, fate has been keeping a close ear to Sam’s wishes. 2013 might very well be the year in which we’ll see a new and improved Sam Milby. First off, the actor has recently finished an indie film titled Death March. In the Adolf Alix Jr. helmed film, which is a Cannes Film Festival 2003 entry, Sam has started to shed the matinee-idol image — taking on a mature role as a US soldier unlucky enough to be in the Bataan Death March. As one of the lead characters, Sam had to call on some gritty acting skills in order to portray the struggle-against-death scenarios that were constant in the story. Sam flew to France for the festival and did his red carpet walk with Adolf and supervising producer Evelyn Vargas-Knaenel.

It just shows that the actor is not fussy about having to look good all the time in front of the camera nor was he ever in any way, and is starting to take projects that doesn’t rely on formulaic “pogi-kilig” roles.

Sam is also keen to take on antagonist roles. The upcoming ABS-CBN primetime soap Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala, which paired him for the first time with Judy Ann Santos, finds Sam not in the leading man role but as someone whose character is in the gray area — “bida-kontrabida” type. Before, casting Sam this way would have illicited alarm for his handlers, but the actor seems to be relishing the complex these days, branding it as “part of the growing process.”

According to the people managing his career, Sam’s move is his most daring and most challenging, so far. One of Sam’s goals as he reaches his eighth year in showbiz is “to be a serious actor.”

He continues to display his versatility through big screen projects: One with Anne Curtis this year, and another with ABS-CBN’s upcoming stars. These and several offers will make Sam busier.

Aside from acting projects, Sam’s endorsement contracts will be revealed soon.

As the year completes its first half, Sam is already in the thick of changing gears. Decisions have been made with his talent managements Cornerstone and Star Magic. With their support, Sam’s career trajectory is about to change dramatically.