Sam Milby gets first Best Actor nomination for indie film

SAM MILBY got his first best actor nomination in the Cinema One Digital Filmfest and the Urian Awards as the lonely balikbayan from New York who returns home to Manila for the wake of his elder brother in “Third World Happy”, the film directorial debut of TV commercial director EJ Salcedo. “My character, Wesley, and I are opposites in real life,” he says. “He was born here and went to the U.S. to pursue his dream while I was born there and came here. I like doing indie films so you can go out of the box and improve your craft as an actor.”

Direk EJ had to talk to Mr. Johnny Manahan of Star Magic to convince him to allow Sam to do the film. “Sam is the only actor I can think of who’d be perfect for the lead role. I made a power point presentation for Mr. M. and he said, is it like a Woody Allen film? I said yes and he gave his permission to Sam,” says the director.

Supporting Sam in the film are Jodi Sta. Maria as the girlfriend he left behind (who won the Cinema One best supporting actress award for her performance here), Richard Quan as his dead Kuya, Melissa Mendez and Archie Adamos as his aunt and uncle, Archie Alemania as his best friend. “Third World Happy” is now on a limited showing at SM cinemas in North Edsa, Megamall, Fairview, Manila, Sta.Mesa, Southmall, Marikina, Cebu, and Iloilo up to May 31.