Sam wants to show sporty side

“I CAN’T show too much skin on TV and in the movies. My mom won’t allow me.”

Model-actress Sam Pinto pointed out that in local show biz, aspiring celebs are expected to do just about everything—act, sing, dance, host. So though she isn’t a naturally good talker, Sam said she didn’t think twice when asked to be one of MTV Pinoy’s newest VJs.

Not chatty

“I’m not a chatty person, but I always like to try something new. I work hard; I’m currently attending workshops and training—todo effort,” she told the Inquirer at the recent press launch of  MTV Pinoy, which will initially take a three-and-a-half-hour block on MTV Asia starting Feb. 14.

“I’m excited because I love music. Some of my favorite local acts are Sandwich, Slapshock and Parokya ni Edgar,” Sam added. “When it comes to VJs, on the other hand, I super love G Tongi. She’s so good and pretty… I met her at an event and told her, ‘I want to be like you!’”

Sam, who has been in show biz for about three years now, has landed quite a number of roles in both television and film, on top of regular modeling gigs. None of those can be considered career-defining. So while patiently waiting for her big break, Sam’s focus is on preparing to become a better-rounded artist.

“I want to learn something new always. I want to be versatile—hone my singing, acting, dancing, hosting skills— so that when the right project comes, I’ll be ready,” said Sam, who’s in the cast of the sitcom “Vampire ang Daddy Ko” and the gag show “Bubble Gang”—both on GMA 7.

Given the chance, the 24-year-old beauty would like to do an action series or anything that would show more of her sporty side; “something that will stick to people’s memory, something surprising, different from the usual pa-sexy.” Sam was twice voted to FHM Philippines’ Sexiest Women of the World roster.

Her not-so-fluent Tagalog used to be a huge acting impediment for her. She’d like to think she’s more comfortable speaking in the vernacular now. “Ang galing ko na kaya!” Sam said, laughing. “I can now deliver full sentences easily.”

Sexiness limits

Despite having done several sexy photo shoots for magazines and print ads, Sam admitted she was still a bit wary about “going daring” on television and in the movies. “Photos are different from movies,” Sam pointed out. “I don’t think I can show too much skin. And my mom won’t allow me!”

She continued: “The most I could probably do is something between what Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes have done.”

As for her love life, Sam related that she’s currently dating a non-show biz guy, a businessman.

“We’ve been together for just a few months. He doesn’t interfere with my work; he knows that everything I do is just part of my job, and he respects it,” she said.

Other VJs

MTV Pinoy—a collaborative project between Viva Communications and Viacom International Media—will feature local music and focus on local original productions geared toward Filipino music lovers.

Other VJs presented during the press con were Yassi Pressman; Josh Padilla, son of Gino Padilla; and Andre Paras, son of actor and former cager Benjie Paras.

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