This made him clinch the role of Boy Bawang, "Pareng Idol" of Makisig Morales, who plays the lead in the superserye Super Inggo.
"I always try to do what’s right because that’s what my parents taught me, and, more importantly, it is what I want to do," says the 14-year-old 2006 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Pinoy Wannabe awardee. "As a showbiz personality, I took it upon myself to serve as an inspiration to many and to be a good example to kids my age."
But, Sam takes a very bold move as his Boy Bawang role evolves into a vampire, one of the series’ newest villains.
So, how does the young role model see this challenge?
"Little Big Star was an avenue for me to show my singing and dancing skills. Super Inggo, meanwhile, allows me to try acting for TV, a medium different from theater, where I practically grew up," Sam replies. "The most memorable role I’ve ever played on stage is that of a bad boy – the traitor Edmund in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. With this new twist in my Boy Bawang character, I feel that I’ve gone full circle, role-wise."
He, however, admits there’s a big difference between acting for TV and theater. It makes him a bit apprehensive, but he is, nonetheless, thankful that his directors in the series, Manong Gilbert Perez and direk Malu Sevilla, guide him in his sequences.
Asked if he is afraid his followers will be alienated with the change, the young Crush ng Bayan quips, "Not at all. I am sure my fans know that it’s just a role."
Sam says playing the bad guy is exciting sometimes because he can play a part very different from his real self. "I am blessed with my family, friends and fans. I just don’t have reasons to be rebellious or simply to be bad."
Upon hearing this, Visam Arenas, the naughty altar boy member of the series‚ The Clan, maligno slayers, gets envious because of the things he had to go through when he was younger.
Visam, who was born and raised in Brunei, says that when his family went back to the Philippines, he had a very hard time adjusting to the Filipino customs and relating with kids his age.
"When I was younger, I was always left out and almost everyone made fun of me in school," Visam admits. "Having been raised in Brunei , I didn’t know how to speak Filipino, even English, a few months after we came back. My classmates made fun of my diction."
Because of this, Visam became vengeful and punished his classmates by serving as one of their school’s Citizen Army Training (CAT) officers.
"After hearing Visam’s story, I felt more blessed. I have more reason to continue doing good," enthuses Sam. "At least, sa role ko lang ako magiging bad."