Sam Pinto wants to be a sexy, action star

AS LIDAGAT, a water goddess, in the TV series “Indio”

Do a quick Google search of model-actress Sam Pinto and the first few photos you will come across are of her in a bathing suit, posing for sexy magazines or fashion shows.

But the 23-year-old stunner said, although she had made a name as one of the most desirable ladies in show biz, doing daring movies was not necessarily the next step.

“I can show skin, but there are limits to what I will do. I can’t show everything and go all out. I’m not ready,” Pinto told the Inquirer during the recent Kapuso Weekend in Boracay. “My family and I aren’t that conservative, but we have unwritten rules. I know what I can’t do.”

Given the opportunity, Pinto said she would rather do action movies and play roles similar to Angelina Jolie’s—as Lara Croft in “Tomb Raider” and Evelyn Salt in “Salt.”

“You’ll be very surprised to know that I’m actually really sporty and competitive!” exclaimed Pinto, who joined swimming competitions in high school. “I don’t mind holding a gun, learning martial arts and doing fight scenes. I want to be one of those sexy, kick-ass action stars.”

But, with only about three years of experience in the entertainment industry, Pinto stressed she still had a lot to learn before aspiring for plum roles. And since she had been modeling since she was 10, she said most people still saw her as a model rather than an actor.

“I guess that means I just have to prove myself (as an actor),” she said.

At the moment, Pinto is a regular in GMA 7’s “Bubble Gang,” a television show she did not expect to be a part of. “I was like, ‘Why me? I’m not a comedienne or anything.’”

While many gifted actors make comedy seem like child’s play on TV and movies, Pinto learned that the genre involved more than just being silly or throwing punch lines.

Right timing

“It’s really hard—you need right timing and be able to improvise. I’ve learned a lot from my costars,” said Pinto. “Making people laugh is a gift so I really admire the people I work with.”

Pinto also said “Bubble” was always an enjoyable experience “because the mood on the set is light; everyone’s having lots of fun. Sometimes, I feel like I’m not working at all.”

But in the recently concluded fantasy series “Indio,” where she plays Lidagat, a water goddess, Pinto’s not so fluent Filipino was put to the test. “Some of the words we use are very old. Nosebleed! I asked for the script in advance so I could study the words and how to pronounce them,” she said.

She added, “I’m thankful that the people I worked with, such as my coactors, assistant and driver, helped me with my Filipino.”

Pinto said she initially wanted to become a fashion designer. She never thought acting would be her profession, she said.

Making the shift

But, looking back, Pinto said she was more than happy to make the change. The world of show biz was crazy, she joked, but it inspired her to get out of her comfort zone.

“I didn’t believe that I could actually sing and dance in front of many people. At least I can say that I can do those things and I can be better if I keep pushing myself,” she said.

At the time of this writing, Pinto was number two, behind fellow GMA 7 artist Marian Rivera, in this year’s FHM Sexiest Women poll—with a strong possibility she would earn the title for the third consecutive year.

“It’s crazy. I’m glad my fans keep supporting me. I’ve been No. 1 twice so I would be happy (with whatever ranking I get),” she said.