By Aissa Junio

Fourteen-year-old Sam Concepcion first captured the public’s heart as the rapping kid in a sinigang sa miso commercial (with his dad) and then in 2006 as the runaway winner in ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star.

Since then, the up-and-coming star has shone even brighter, appearing in various TV programs and endorsements. He has also won a string of awards and citations, including Pinoy Wannabe in the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards and K-zone Awards’ Best Male Singer of the Year.

A certified crush ng bayan, he was named the Favorite Teen Star in Candy magazine’s CandyRap awards, garnering a whopping 93 percent of readers’ votes.
His debut album is also in the works, set to be released later this year.

Come June and July, however, Sam returns to his first love, performing onstage. Starring as Troy Bolton in High School Musical, produced by STAGES and Trumpets Playshop, he is paired off with Cheska Ortega, who plays Gabrielle Montez. Alex Godinez and PJ Valerio star as Sharpay and Ryan Evans, respectively.

In this interview with PinoyCentric, he enthuses about his passion for performing and talks about his thoughts on his heartthrob status.

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PC: You’re being labeled as a young heartthrob. How are you coping with the fame?

SC: I don’t know. [Laughter] I don’t really know what to say about that. I mean, I’m just me.

Do you still get to go out?

Yeah. A lot, actually.

When you go out, do you get recognized? Mobbed?

I do get recognized, but I wouldn’t use that word, mobbed. I really appreciate what they do, actually.

In what ways are you like the character that you play in HSM (Troy Bolton)?

Troy Bolton, I think he’s outgoing and a friendly guy. And nice. I’m kinda like that. He has the passion for music and I have that as well. And I like basketball. He’s the best in his team and I’m not. [Laughter] But I’m learning. I’m practicing.

What do you plan on taking up in college?

Wow. Maybe music or something. I’m thinking if I should take up something that I’m inclined to, to help me in what I do, or something totally different to back me up. Because it’s [performing] a very unstable job. I’m thinking that, if I take something different, meron akong alam na ibang gawin. If I take music, maybe I could be a better performer. I could be more dramatic.

Ten years from now, do you still see yourself in theater or showbiz?

Yes, I think. Maybe in theater.

Which do you prefer, acting on stage or on TV?

Well, I enjoy both. But I like theater more, because I can sing, dance and act. I can do them all in one show. Maraming nagagawa. And it’s my first love. I started theater really young and it taught me discipline.

Your father is also in theater, right?

Yeah.

Do you think he has influenced you?

Oh, yes. He’s a big influence. We’re all stage actors in the family. My older brothers, me and my little sister. Actually, my mom and dad met in Metropolitan Theater. The funny part is, kaming mga kids, we never saw our parents in theater. We just know they’re in theater but we never saw them act. But somehow I had the passion for it and now, here I am.

What are your hobbies?

Really, it’s just all about performing. [Laughter] Dancing. Acting. I play a little piano. I play a little guitar. It’s all about the music and performing.

How do you relax? How do you get away from all the stress?

Just stay at home and sing. Dance. I just get so much joy in what I do.

Is there anything else you want to do?

I love performing. I love the stage. I just think that there’s so much, so much more to it. That’s why I keep working hard to get better in what I do.

Who’s your role model in theater? Who do you look up to?

Well, I look up to a lot of people. Of course, my dad. Tito Audie (Gemora, his manager and the director of High School Musical). He’s a great actor, singer, and director. Tito Jaime del Mundo and Tito Freddie Santos of STAGES.

Do you want to be become a director, too?

Directing? I’m not equipped yet, but yes, I would want to. Maybe someday.

How do you feel when people say that you’re like a junior Gary V?

Wow. [Laughter] I’m flattered. I mean, Gary V’s Gary V. He’s a legend.

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[Thanks to Oliver Oliveros for the photo and facilitating this interview]