Sam Concepcion has been chosen to play the leading man of Julia Montes in an upcoming movie by Star Cinema. This project will mark the big screen launching of Julia, Kathryn Bernardo, and Albie Casiño who became famous as stars of the hit primetime teleserye Mara Clara. The role as Julia’s ka-love team was supposed to be for AJ Perez who passed away in a vehicular accident last April.Sam was good friends with AJ and they were both part of the dance group Giggerboys. Sam said that this new film project will give him the chance to make his departed buddy proud. “I want to do my best here because I know AJ would have done a good job with this role. He doesn’t take ‘yung trabaho niya lightly and I want to do the same,” said Sam in an interview before their camera test for the project.
He said he also knows that there is the pressure of having to meet the expectations of people most especially the fans of AJ. “Any work has pressure. You have to do your best every time. You need to push yourself to the limits. I’m going to try to make him proud with my work here.”
The 18-year-old actor/singer/dancer added that he is very much looking forward to working with the Mara Clara stars plus renowned director Jerry Sineneng. “I’m really excited na makatrabaho sila, si Kathryn, Julia, and Albie. I’m looking forward din na maka-work si Direk Jerry (Sineneng).”
Sam and Julia first met as part of the teen variety show ShoutOut. “Si Julia masaya kasama. Magaan lang ang feel kaya comfortable na akong maka-work siya. Noon sa ShoutOut pa lang nagkasama na kami,” he said.
However, Sam felt a bit embarrassed, with Julia standing beside him during the interview, talking about the possibility that their love team will bring them much closer, like even a real-life romance. “Iba naman ‘yung work sa personal. May boundaries ‘yun,” he said with a smile.
Upon admitting that he is single at the moment, Sam said though he finds Julia attractive, work is still their priority for now. “Attractive naman si Julia, he he he! Kilala ko naman si Julia. Alam ko kung gaano siya ka-focused sa work ngayon.”
