By Vanessa A. Balbuena (The Freeman) Updated March 27, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)
CEBU, Philippines - More than a month since the smashing success of his opening act during the much-awaited “Taylor Swift Live in Manila” concert at the Big Dome, teen idol Sam Concepcion is still profuse with gratitude at being handpicked for the once-in-a-lifetime gig by the American country sweetheart herself. His well-received stint, which got some love even from Taylor, has boosted his stock and granted him much more confidence for his future performances.
“It definitely helped me as an artist and made me gain more experience as a performer. It was my first time to front act for a foreign singer, so that in itself was a huge privilege—to be part of a show like that and share the same stage and audience with her. I’m so thankful that it turned out well!” confides the 18-year-old to The FREEMAN backstage at the Ayala Activity Center when he came over for one of the mall’s graduation sale events. Shrieking fans, mostly females of his age bracket, greeted Sam when he emerged on stage for a couple of song and dance numbers.
Before Taylor finally came out for all her Filipino fans to see, Sam did his countrymen proud with his hyper renditions of Chris Brown’s “Yeah 3x,” Carl Douglas’s “Kung Fu Fighting” and Katy Perry’s “Fireworks.” He ended by singing his first-ever single “Even If.” His night turned even more magical when he met the chart-topping singer backstage and received a big hug from the gorgeous star. “She was really nice and accommodating, as well as everyone in her entourage. It made me feel more at home and really part of the show,” gushes Sam further.
There was news from Sam’s camp that Taylor had asked him to join her Asian tour, and this was to be his ticket for possibly getting noticed in the international scene. Unfortunately, Sam shares that it did not push through because his management was given notice a week before the Manila concert and he had previous engagements that we’re already booked way back, plus there were additional concerns that couldn’t be fixed in time for Taylor’s other Asian stops.
The reality contest champion has no time to be sad at the lost opportunity, because he has his hands full right here at home with an upcoming lead theater role, a dance-drama series, a regular segment on his network’s Sunday musical variety show, and obligations as an 11th grader under an International Studies home-school program. And he is by no means in any rush for international acclaim, even when his “Little Big Star” first season runner-up Charice has already eclipsed him in fame.
This April, he will star in ABS-CBN’s teen-oriented Sunday afternoon show “Good Vibes”, which he tells is sort of similar to the American series “Glee” except that instead of all the singing and a Glee Club, it will revolve around dancing and centers on a high school’s Dance Squad.
He excitedly shares of his main role as captain of their dance team Mark Pedrosa, a smart student, achiever and obedient son—which doesn’t really veer far from the real-life Sam. His character’s conflict begins when he learns of a half-brother played by up-and-coming actor Enrique Gil, who is suddenly thrust into the happy family he has always known. There is, of course, the requisite rivalry not only on the dance floor, but for the affections of a girl as well.
Sam is joined by a fresh-faced cast of teenagers including Aaron Villaflor, Ivan Dorchsner, James Reid, Chikara Nawa, Coleen Garcia, Linn Oeyna, Heidi Ortega, Yen Santos, and Cebuana “Pinoy Big Brother” Teen Edition finalist Devon Seron.
Keeping the singer-actor even more keyed up these days is his upcoming return to his first love which is theater. In collaboration with Repertory Philippines and STAGES Productions, Sam is set to play Peter Pan in its Philippine adaptation this August. Rehearsals will begin two months before the theater run, and he can’t wait to meet the cast and relive the adrenaline one feels as a theater performer.
Sam already has various plays under his name, two of which include a young Jose Rizal in “Sino Ka Ba, Jose Rizal” and Edmund Pevensie in the local stage adaptation of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.”
“I’m thrilled because theater is my first home. And this is the first Peter Pan adaptation to be debuted here in Asia. The material, which came from London, is fresh. More so, Peter Pan is always played by a female in adaptations abroad so this is the first that it will be played by a guy,” says Sam.
He adds that kids and adults alike should learn a lesson or two from Peter Pan’s story, which is to never let go of that inner child in each of us who is always happy and cheerful. Spoken with a wisdom that contrasts with his youthful face and lanky teenager frame, Sam muses: “Because life becomes complicated when we grow up, sometimes we just totally change our mindsets and turn adults in the negative sense. We forget about having fun, being open and aware of the little things that used to make as happy as a child.” (THE FREEMAN)
“It definitely helped me as an artist and made me gain more experience as a performer. It was my first time to front act for a foreign singer, so that in itself was a huge privilege—to be part of a show like that and share the same stage and audience with her. I’m so thankful that it turned out well!” confides the 18-year-old to The FREEMAN backstage at the Ayala Activity Center when he came over for one of the mall’s graduation sale events. Shrieking fans, mostly females of his age bracket, greeted Sam when he emerged on stage for a couple of song and dance numbers.
Before Taylor finally came out for all her Filipino fans to see, Sam did his countrymen proud with his hyper renditions of Chris Brown’s “Yeah 3x,” Carl Douglas’s “Kung Fu Fighting” and Katy Perry’s “Fireworks.” He ended by singing his first-ever single “Even If.” His night turned even more magical when he met the chart-topping singer backstage and received a big hug from the gorgeous star. “She was really nice and accommodating, as well as everyone in her entourage. It made me feel more at home and really part of the show,” gushes Sam further.
There was news from Sam’s camp that Taylor had asked him to join her Asian tour, and this was to be his ticket for possibly getting noticed in the international scene. Unfortunately, Sam shares that it did not push through because his management was given notice a week before the Manila concert and he had previous engagements that we’re already booked way back, plus there were additional concerns that couldn’t be fixed in time for Taylor’s other Asian stops.
The reality contest champion has no time to be sad at the lost opportunity, because he has his hands full right here at home with an upcoming lead theater role, a dance-drama series, a regular segment on his network’s Sunday musical variety show, and obligations as an 11th grader under an International Studies home-school program. And he is by no means in any rush for international acclaim, even when his “Little Big Star” first season runner-up Charice has already eclipsed him in fame.
This April, he will star in ABS-CBN’s teen-oriented Sunday afternoon show “Good Vibes”, which he tells is sort of similar to the American series “Glee” except that instead of all the singing and a Glee Club, it will revolve around dancing and centers on a high school’s Dance Squad.
He excitedly shares of his main role as captain of their dance team Mark Pedrosa, a smart student, achiever and obedient son—which doesn’t really veer far from the real-life Sam. His character’s conflict begins when he learns of a half-brother played by up-and-coming actor Enrique Gil, who is suddenly thrust into the happy family he has always known. There is, of course, the requisite rivalry not only on the dance floor, but for the affections of a girl as well.
Sam is joined by a fresh-faced cast of teenagers including Aaron Villaflor, Ivan Dorchsner, James Reid, Chikara Nawa, Coleen Garcia, Linn Oeyna, Heidi Ortega, Yen Santos, and Cebuana “Pinoy Big Brother” Teen Edition finalist Devon Seron.
Sam already has various plays under his name, two of which include a young Jose Rizal in “Sino Ka Ba, Jose Rizal” and Edmund Pevensie in the local stage adaptation of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.”
“I’m thrilled because theater is my first home. And this is the first Peter Pan adaptation to be debuted here in Asia. The material, which came from London, is fresh. More so, Peter Pan is always played by a female in adaptations abroad so this is the first that it will be played by a guy,” says Sam.
He adds that kids and adults alike should learn a lesson or two from Peter Pan’s story, which is to never let go of that inner child in each of us who is always happy and cheerful. Spoken with a wisdom that contrasts with his youthful face and lanky teenager frame, Sam muses: “Because life becomes complicated when we grow up, sometimes we just totally change our mindsets and turn adults in the negative sense. We forget about having fun, being open and aware of the little things that used to make as happy as a child.” (THE FREEMAN)
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