Throughout the said contest, which ran for about six months, the young Singing Crush ng Bayan has consistently been lauded for his apparent star appeal, but unknown to many, he also faced a number of rejections in the past.
About a year ago, for example, two top executives from a major network seemed to have doubted his potential during an awards show, which Sam hosted.
"At a young age, I have learned that I cannot please everybody," Sam concedes. "But, with my parents’ guidance, I have learned to just offer everything to God."
With everything that he had to go through at a very young age, Sam is just thankful that his parents, Daddy Raymund and Mommy Gene, raised and prepared him well to face life’s challenges. "Also, their support and love have always been my strength in pursuing my dream of becoming a performer," Sam adds.
Asked why he allowed Sam, who first made a name for himself in the musical theater scene, to join mainstream showbiz via his stint in Little Big Star, Daddy Raymund recounts, "Since Sam was young, I knew he is special. He is musically-inclined, he has the moves, and I know he really loves to perform."
Daddy Raymund adds that Sam first danced ala Michael Jackson at two, played the piano at four and performed on stage professionally at eight.
"Sam is born to be a star," Daddy Raymund states. "He is competitive, but he only competes with himself. He won’t stop until he masters his songs and dance routines. That is Sam’s nature and that makes him a star."
Having full confidence with his son’s immense talent, Daddy Raymund, with the whole Concepcion household, ensured that Sam got everything he needed in the said talent search.
Sam, however, was quick to say that, aside from his family’s vote of confidence during the contest, it was the time before Little Big Star that he was most thankful for. "If my parents did not approve of all the years I’ve spent training with Trumpets, I would not reach this point," Sam enthuses. "My training with Trumpets prepared me very well for the demands of Little Big Star."
More than earning his first million at age 13, Sam considers meeting new friends and experiencing new things as the "grandest prizes" he received.
"With theater, you are given weeks, even months, to prepare for a show. With Little Big Star, everything moves at a faster pace," Sam says of his biggest struggle jumping from the world of theater to TV. "I never had problems making friends with my co-contestants, because I never consider them competitors. I was just doing what I love to do – perform."
Fans of the show agree that his weekly performances were whiffs of fresh air in the said competition, because Sam offers something new, different and exciting.
"At 13, I am not a biritero anymore like when I was younger, but I improved as a performer," he says. "I just made it a point that I perform well each time I step on stage by working very hard on my numbers."
During the whole duration of the contest, Sam did not stop attending performance workshops with Trumpets, of which he has been an endorser for the past three years.
In Little Big Star, Sam is known for dishing out energy-charged song and dance numbers like Footloose, Grease Lightning and his winning piece, I Can’t Stand Still.
A day after he was named Brightest Star, Sam, along with Little Division’s winner Rhap Salazar, was formally welcomed to ASAP 06’s Champions League. "Sharing the stage with my idol, Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, all the champions and hitmakers, is a feat for me."
The future seems bright for this "Big" Brightest Star as, only a few days after the end of the show, projects are already coming his way. He will soon be a part of the second season of Little Big Star and a new ABS-CBN fantaserye. He is one of the co-hosts of Y Speak! on Studio 23.
More than TV assignments, Sam will also lend his face to a number of exciting products.
With all the blessings being showered upon him, Sam continues to acknowledge the importance of education. "That’s why, I always try to do good in school, no matter how busy I am."
He also supports various charitable institutions which are in line with his advocacies for the youth like Makati Med’s H.O.U.S.E. Foundation, which takes care of indigent pediatric cancer patients, and World Vision. He is also the youth ambassador for education and arts in the third district of Manila.
Asked why he plays such an active role with these activities, he quips, "To whom much is given, much is expected. I am just doing my part."