Sam Milby on moving on, sharing blessings and giving the action genre a shot

CEBU, Philippines - Looks like Sam Milby has truly moved on. If his ex-flame Anne Curtis is said to be seeing an Australian named Erwan Heusaff, the heartthrob just confirmed to "dating" international acoustic artist Marie Digby.

Here in Cebu last Saturday for a live performance at Smart Buddy's Hot Summer Samahan 2010 at SM City Cebu, Sam talked to entertainment writers at Waterfront Hotel Lahug's Madeleine Cafe prior to his mall event. After a bit of prodding if he was currently courting someone, Sam eventually caved in and revealed: "I've been talking to somebody pero wala naman siya dito sa Pilipinas. She's from the States but she was just here."

When pressed further on the girl's identity, he readily named Marie (pronounced Maria, according to Sam), whom he recalls to first meeting through the social networking tool Twitter and then later on in person during his most recent "Heartthrobs" tour in the US.

Marie, 27, is a Japanese-Irish singer who became an internet sensation in 2007 when a Youtube video of her singing an acoustic version of Rihanna's "Umbrella" gained million of hits. She's now a recording artist in the US and has even staged a concert in the country August of last year.

"We text, we talk on the phone. Syempre, people are speculating na kami na, pero hindi. Dating, I guess," Sam related.

It was also reported on tabloids and television recently that Sam was spotted celebrating his birthday in the island paradise of Boracay with none other than Marie. The actor-singer turned 26 last May 23rd.

What stage is their blossoming romance at? "I do like her. She's one of the nicest persons I've ever met. When you get to know someone in person, it's different than getting to know someone through just long-distance communication. Kaya so far, we're just getting to know each other. Ang hirap kasi nasa States siya," Sam said.

AUDITIONING FOR GLEE. Along with fellow Kapamilya artist Nikki Gil, Sam was one of those who uploaded his video on Glee's official audition page on MySpace. The former PBB housemate sang "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers, a song that was performed by Glee's singing group New Directions in its "Ballad" episode.

Asked if he was seriously pining a spot on the hit American show, turns out his audition was just done for laughs.

"It was just for fun. My friends from the States were texting me na may auditions daw sa Myspace. It was the last day and I was at the Cornerstone studio at nandoon si Richard Poon. Richard was actually the one playing the guitar in my video," he explained. "I wasn't actually expecting to get in. My dream syempre is magtrabaho sa Hollywood and I love to sing and act so why not?

EXTRAVAGANT GIFTER. Sam showed off his cellphone to us by doing an impromptu demo when talk came to his love for gadgets. He dumped his phone into a glass of water, boasting of its water-proof and durability features. He admitted to being such a fan of technology but aside from acquiring the most up-to-date models, Sam is also known to be a generous giver of gadgets.

Who hasn't heard of him gifting "Showtime" host Anne Curtis an Ipad upon his return from a US concert tour? He is also known for giving friends cellphones, Blackberries to be specific, as gifts to his friends. Sam had offered Blackberry phones as presents to actresses Bea Alonzo and Angel Locsin, but the two politely refused the gesture, thinking the gift might be too much coming from a friend. People might misinterpret his gestures maliciously but Sam shared that he really just loved giving gifts.

"I gave an Ipad to Anne, to my manager and to my handler. I got my PA and my driver phones also," he said. "Wala lang, I'm a people-pleaser at heart. I like to make other people happy. Parang it's unfair to get so many blessings if you don't share your blessings. I enjoy sharing my blessings. I like to treat whoever I'm with. I believe when you share your blessings, it comes back to you. When I like a person or I have close friends, I spoil them. Ako wala akong sariling Ipad. I just gave them as gifts."

WANNABE ACTION STAR. After starring in "Babe, I Love You", his big screen team-up with Anne Curtis, he is currently paired with Maja Salvador in ABS-CBN's afternoon series "Precious Hearts Romances Presents Impostor", together with PBB Double Up winners and real-life sweethearts Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco.

He will be doing a primetime soap next and a Star Cinema movie later this year. "They're still planning whom to pair me up with," he said.

After doing drama, romantic lead roles and touching comedy in last year's Ai Ai delas Alas starrer "Ang Tanging Pamilya," Sam says he hopes to try action in the future. "Mas gusto kong gawin yung action na may fighting or sports, pero hindi na yata yun uso ngayon sa Pilipinas."

If he might not yet bag a gun-toting or sword-wielding role anytime soon, Sam is bent on accomplishing a personal goal this year, that is to lose his American twang.

"This year, I hope dire-diretso na ang Tagalog ko. Kasi ang hirap pag Inglesero palagi or Amboy ang role ko. A lot of people are saying na ang laking improvement na sa Tagalog ko and I'm very happy about that."