It’s been more than 15 years since Sam Milby debuted in Philippine entertainment. And it shows.
Not that he has aged considerably looks-wise, but that reluctance to fame when he started has now worn off. When Sam was starting, I could see how uncomfortable he was with the fans who would want to take a picture with him. But the last time I saw him, he gamely interacted with people, cracking a joke or two with them, while posing for selfies with his admirers.
While the inconveniences that attend this kind of fame are familiar, not every actor chooses to handle it the same way. Sam seems to now regard his fame the way a seasoned swimmer does a riptide. Fight it and it’ll wear you down until you drown. Go with the flow (or, rather, just be relaxed about it and accept it as part of your chosen job) and the universe will respect your chillness.
That ease has inarguably translated into confidence in Sam, as he has definitely grown much as an actor. In fact, a few years ago, I unabashedly declared that he is one of the country’s most underrated actors.
Proof of his thespic talent is highlighted every night in A Family Affair, the ABS-CBN soap that also stars Ivana Alawi, Gerald Anderson, Jake Ejercito and Jameson Blake. In the show, Sam plays his role with a nuance that would make you root for him but at the same time be suspicious of his character’s true intentions. His role is one of the factors that keep the suspense of the show.
Sam, along with his A Family Affair costar Gerald, are on the cover of the digital magazine Flex.
Aimed to end toxic masculinity and instead promote “modern masculinity,” Flex is now on its second issue with KD Estrada featured on the cover. It actually features a novel concept that instead of reading a magazine, one can devour “video articles” instead.
This means vignettes and video features on different topics about modern masculinity, and an interactive segment where people can vote for upcoming personalities to be featured in Flex. Of course, there are the exclusive interviews with Gerald and Sam.
Asked during its launch what Sam could “flex,” he answered that it’s the longevity of his acting career as well as his relationship with beauty queen Catriona Gray.
He disclosed that in both, he experienced growth. His journeys in both his love life and career are far from perfect, he admits, but “if wala kang pagsubok na pinagdadaanan, you have no growth. So it’s knowing and accepting the mistakes you made and growing from them, and always being humble and seeking out and wanting to keep growing. That’s what I want to do. I want to keep growing. Kahit nasa 60s, 70s na ako, you’re never going to stop growing. I’m really content with my life right now. I’m happy.”
However, don’t expect Sam to be more open about this love life on social media and, uhm, flex it. He still wants to maintain a level of privacy about this aspect of his life. On what’s next for the couple, Sam says he and Catriona are enjoying each other’s company and are grateful everyday for finding each other.
Flex magazine is now available on the Star Magic YouTube channel.