Sam Concepcion finds new home in Viva
Sam Concepcion turns over a new leaf having signed with Viva Artists Agency recently.
The singer-actor, who rose to fame by winning the singing contest “Little Big Star,” was a Star Magic talent for almost eight years. He remains co-managed by Stages.
Sam sees this new opportunity as a way for him to balance the focus he gives his singing and acting career, if not take it one after the other.
“For a time in my career, parang lahat pinagsasabay ko. I was doing a teleserye kasabay ng straight play, kasabay ng album, ng ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar.’ Parang masyadong spread out ang efforts ko into different kasi gusto mong gawin lahat eh. But I have been given the chance to focus on certain things at certain given time, working on music, and then this. So mas focused energy and better concentration. I’m very excited,” he said.
His manager Carlo Orosa believes Viva is a good venue for Sam to do more movies.
“That’s what we’re excited about,” said he. “Viva is multimedia and I think they will be able to expand Sam’s career in terms of making movies.”
It has been awhile since Sam acted in one. His last movie projects were “I Do Bidoo Bidoo” in 2012, then he had appearances in “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel” in 2013 and “Etiquette for Mistresses” in 2015. “Madami pa akong hindi nagagawa. Madami pa akong challenges na pwedeng i-take at gawin. Whether it be drama, comedy, or action, I’m willing and ready to do all of those,” Sam said.
Of course, they remain grateful to Star Magic and ABS-CBN for giving him a lot of breaks.
In fact, Sam still looks forward to working with the Kapamilya network.
That familiar feeling
Transferring to Viva feels like home for Sam, especially because his squad, including James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Lauren Reid, and girlfriend Kiana Valenciano, are all Viva artists. “Naiinggit ako sa kanila eh. Lahat sila nagkakatrabaho, the whole friend group. Nagkakasama sila lagi. Now, it would be easy I guess (to work with them). Siguro may kaunting influence din doon,” Sam said. Things are going well between Sam and Kiana, who have known each other since they were kids. Both are also into music.
“Ako din naman, she inspires me a lot. She has a great voice. She’s a great singer and songwriter. I couldn’t ask for more,” he said.
Ever since Kiana joined showbiz full time, she has been active on TV and in concerts. Kiana recently flew to Singapore to perform at the Music Matters Live forum.
“She’s doing really well sa music side niya and I like that. That’s one thing that we really agree on. We have chemistry together sa music,” he said.
Sam is flattered that Kiana’s father, Gary Valenciano, has been supportive of his career and their relationship.
Breaking barriers
While it has been a long time since Sam entered the mainstream, some still feel he seems distant with the masses.
“Aware naman ako. Siyempre there’s nothing I want more than to be able to embrace them also. But siyempre connection is something as an artist you always work on na at the same time being true to yourself. So, a good balance of both (must be achieved),” he said.
Sam clarified he wants to be able to reach out to his fans yet stay true to himself. “Siyempre hindi ko i-di-disconnect ’yung sarili ko sa kanila. At the same time (I’ll) be an honest, true person kaysa sa I turn myself into something else, kaysa sa ibahin ko sarili ko just to connect with them differently na hindi na innate or natural. I think, at the end of the day, as long as you’re true to yourself, people are attracted to those things.”
Madami pa akong hindi nagagawa. Madami pa akong challenges na pwedeng i-take at gawin. I’m willing and ready to do all of those.