People might know Sam Concepcion for the hit songs “Dati,” “Mahal Na Mahal,” and “Diwata,” but for Filipinos born in the early 2000s, he was the young man who starred in a commercial showcasing his singing and rapping skills over a Sinigang.
Laughing when reminded of this ad, Sam told Manila Standard Entertainment that he still remembers his lines well.
After winning Little Big Stars, Sam became a prominent pop star, making appearances on TV and in movies. Now, he is returning to his theater roots. With his parents having been actors at the Metropolitan Theater, Sam recently starred as Popoy in the musical adaptation of One More Chance.
“I don’t think it was planned. It wasn’t planned but I think it was inevitable. My parents were both from theater,” said the 31-year-old singer.
“I owe everything to the theater—everything that I know, everything that I learn, and it opened so many doors, including in the mainstream,” he continued.
When asked if he plans to stay in theater long-term, Sam said, “I never really left. I always return to theater when opportunities arise; it feels like home to me.” He explained that while he works across different media, theater is where he finds true fulfillment.
Currently, Sam is transitioning from his role in One More Chance to a lead role in the Philippine adaptation of Once on This Island. He expressed excitement about juggling these varied roles, saying it provides a balanced reflection of his passions and ambitions.
The actor and singer acknowledged the challenge of shifting from drama to lighter roles, noting the difference in genres and the demanding schedule of performing multiple shows. He described his new role as fun and vibrant, a stark contrast to his previous work.
“On one hand, I do drama, OPM, and classic films—like One More Chance. On the other hand, I get to perform in classic theater productions. They are two different things, but they reflect what I love to do and what I aspire to do. So, it’s a really good balance for me,” he explained.
Regarding the transition from drama to a lighter genre, Sam shared, “I’m sure it’s going to be challenging. There might be days when I do an afternoon show in one genre and then rush to another theater for a different show. So, Tagalog, English, classic theater, pop, OPM—it’s really different.”
“And here, I get to just have fun. It’s a very bright, vibrant story where I get to play a prince-like character. So, it’s very different,” he added.
