There's something about Sam

MANILA, Philippines - Sam Milby is living proof that you don’t have to end up a loser if you failed to make it to the top of a talent search. Four years after he joined ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother Season 1, where Nene Tamayo emerged grand winner, Sam is very much around.

After teaming up with Bea Alonzo for the first time in the hit movie Close To You, Sam is shooting his sixth movie, Ang Tanging Pamilya, where he’s Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao’s choice to play her son.

“I’m very thankful for the four years I’ve spent in this business,” says Sam. “I know a lot of people in the industry don’t have work right now.”

Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Sam’s co-star in Ang Tanging Pamilya, will agree. On the set of the upcoming comedy, Erap told Sam that the industry was churning out a lot more movies than what we have now.

And here’s Sam, up to his ears with movie projects, concerts, TV appearances and endorsements. It has reached a point where his recent vacation in Hawaii to attend his sister’s wedding turned out, not just as a family reunion, but a much-needed break from his packed schedule.

“It was my first vacation in so many months. It’s a much-needed break from it all,” Sam relates.

To someone whose time is gold, those six days he spent in Hawaii was a chance of a lifetime. Sam met up with people he hasn’t seen in years, like his figure skating coach. Most of all, Sam shared in his sister’s joy.

“I was so touched when my dad gave my sister away,” recalls Sam.

That’s when he suddenly realized “I’m not getting any younger since my sister and I are only 10 months apart.”

But he still wants to do so many things, and he knows he must strike while the iron is hot. Thus, Sam tapped Liz Uy as his stylist to give him a more exciting look.

He has also renewed his contract as endorser of Dermablend organic soaps. The tie that binds Sam and Dermablend has become even stronger, now that he’s on his fourth year with the brand.

In fact, Sam is not just an endorser, he’s already considered family. Sam was then just one of the PBB housemates when Diana Stalder, then 13, daughter of Dermablend owner Dina Stalder, saw the good-looking mestizo. The teener convinced her mom to go sign Sam up as endorser. Never mind if he was still new and untried back then.

The gamble paid off. Sam and the company’s growth ran parallel to each other. And Sam, as a sign of gratitude, has not raised his talent fee as the soap’s endorser the fourth time around.

On top of that, he’s setting aside a couple of days from his busy schedule to meet and date 20 winners in Dermablend’s ongoing promo. The lucky ladies whose names will be drawn in the raffle promo will date Sam and win P1,500 worth of Dermablend products and free facial with Diamond Peel.

For Sam, some things are more important than money. And saying thank you is up there on his list.