PEP: Sam Milby on 'split': I’m not using God as an excuse

Viewers can expect a different Sam Milby in the upcoming film titled Cul de Sac. The French title literally means bottom of the bag, but in the context of the movie, it also means "dead-end." A call center agent (who remains unnamed in the film) finds out about a murder in the call center that he works in. He becomes obsessed in finding out the truth about the incident. Sam Milby points out that Cul de Sac is very different from his previous movies because this is a suspense-thriller instead of the usual romantic comedy genre that he is used to. "My role is a call center agent, he's very mysterious," explains Sam during the press conference of his film held last November 22 at Gusi restaurant in Quezon City. "You don't know much about the guy, tahimik siya. May ginawa siyang masama sa past niya and he ends up being a detective in the call center and redeem himself in a way." Sam later adds: "I've always wanted to do a suspense movie—it's my favorite genre. Cul de Sac is sort of a detective story as well." In preparation of his action sequences in the film, Sam watched films such as Fight Club (1999), which stars Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. The Star Magic talent cites Edward as his favorite Hollywood actor. Megged by first-time director Juan Miguel Sevilla, Cul de Sac also stars Jodi Santamaria-Lacson and Chin Chin Gutierrez. Jodi plays Sam's officemate in the call center but the director points out that Sam does not have a love team partner in this film, which is a first for the matinee idol. Chin Chin is cast as a lounge singer who adds mystery to the film. According to Direk Miguel: "The title [Cul de Sac] is derived from a French word which means bottom of the bag. But in the context of the story, it could also mean dead end. I thought of this story when I was still in college. I was looking for a place to park but I found myself in a dead end. In real life, it's not a dead end because you can actually make a U-turn. "This is a story of a guy [Sam] who seems stuck on a dead end. He thought he didn't have a choice but actually he has. All he needs to do is make a U-turn." Sam praised Direk Miguel for being very professional despite his young age. "Si Direk mas bata siya kaysa sa akin. Twenty-three lang siya, ako 24 na. Parang hindi siya first-timer sa movie. He gets you into the character. He knows exactly what he's doing." Direk Miguel confided to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) how he was able to motivate Sam to bring out the "bad boy" in him. "Sa isang eksena, nagsisigawan kami ni Sam. Sumisigaw ako at siya rin, sumisigaw para pag take namin, mataas na ang energy level niya." Cul de Sac will have its premiere on November 29 at SM Manila and it will be shown in SM cinemas nationwide starting December 3. It is rated PG by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. Sam's first indie film is the groundbreaking project of Cinemabuhay for the PLDT-Smart Foundation, which is headed by president Mr. Butch Meily and executive director Albert Martinez. ON RUFA MAE QUINTO. After the press conference, PEP was able to ask Sam about Rufa Mae's visit to his house. He explained that he invited Rufa Mae to his house months ago. "I find it so funny na it's been an issue that we played PlayStation together. Yung nangyari lang, after our The Voices concert last September, we were making kwento and sabi niya ‘I want to build a new house.' Sabi ko, 'You should really see my house, ang ganda! My architect is very good.' So she said, ‘Okay, your house is on the way to my house.' Then she said, ‘Can I stop by and take a look at it?' Yun lang, she stopped by and took a look at it, yun lang," narrates Sam. When Anne heard about Rufa Mae's visit, she called up Rufa Mae to confirm the news. What is his reaction to it? "Siyempre, if I heard the same thing. I'll be bothered too, di ba?" Did he explain that to Anne? "She asked Rufa Mae muna." ON ANNE CURTIS. Sam wanted to avoid questions regarding his breakup with Anne Curtis. "We have not talked yet. Wala pa kaming panahon," admits Sam. Does he have plans to reconcile with Anne? "To avoid any misunderstanding, I don't want to get into all questions about Anne." How did he feel when she cried on TV? "Well, I actually didn't get to watch. Tinext niya 'ko nung nandun pa 'ko sa Europe [for the Heartthrobs tour]. She texted me kung anong nangyari." Does he still have feelings for her? "I want to avoid mga questions about Anne muna." Sam then explains: "People are misunderstanding it. I wanna be keep quiet about it but you know I respect when she came out and she said something. I know people are misunderstanding it, thinking I'm using God as an excuse. I'm not using God as an excuse and I just wanna leave it that." - Philippine Entertainment Portal