MANILA – Actor Sam Milby admitted he had a hard time doing the “violent” scenes with actress Judy Ann Santos for their primetime series “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala.”
In the teleserye, Milby plays Eros Diomedes, a rich young man who develops an aggressive temper from growing up surrounded by a domineering family. He falls in love with Anessa (Santos), a woman he meets while on a business trip in the province.
Later on, however, as seen in the trailer for "Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala," Eros and Anessa's relationship turns sour, when he starts having an affair and begins physically abusing his partner.
“Dito ang first time din na role na may ginawa akong bugbog sa babae. Lalo na nung mga first time na may eksena kami na ganun, parang nahihiya ako sa kanya kasi minsan pag andun ako sa eksena, mahirap para sa akin na idaya 'yung paghawak ko, 'yung malambot lang pero hindi. Malakas talaga 'yung paghawak ko,” he said.
Milby said he admires Santos for being a true professional, letting him "hurt" her just to deliver the performance the viewers deserve.
“Nahiya ako sa kanya pero sobrang bait siya sa akin and she allowed me and it was okay with her. Tinutulungan niya ako. She’s perfected the craft of acting so working with her has been inspiring. It’s been a learning process para sa akin and a huge privilege,” he said.
Far from his romantic leading man roles, Milby said he is challenging himself to play the bad guy in the series by not allowing himself to be left behind when acting opposite Santos.
“Sana hindi ma-overshadow din. Kasi when you’re with someone na ganun kagaling, someone can get overshadowed sa acting niya. So 'yun 'yung mga takot ko. Pero sobrang happy ako ngayon kasi so far 'yung mga feedback na naririnig ko maganda naman galing kay Juday, at sa production at sa mga nanunuod,” he said.
According to data from multi-national market research group Kantar Media, the pilot episode of “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala” marked Santos’ return to primetime television by seizing the No. 1 spot in the series' time slot.
"Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala" led its competing shows in nationwide ratings on June 17 garnering 27.1% in national TV ratings, while its closest competing program, "Mundo Mo'y Akin," registered 15.1%.
