Philippine artist Sam Milby expresses concern on social media’s hate, judgment on youth
By Marivir Montebon
New York - Philippine actor-singer Sam Milby said that despite the perks of stardom, he is concerned about his privacy and the judgments he gets, which often get harsh. He also worries about the overwhelming negative impact of social media on youth.
Actor-singer Sam Milby
"Filipino audiences could be so judgmental. It's something I am personally concerned for youth. Social media has amplified hate. Digital technology has become scary," he said during a breezy Saturday luncheon with some members of local New York media at Sushi Tokkoro on Madison.
(The Philippines stands to be one of the highest users of social media at 83%, with majority of users as women, compared to the global average of 58%, according to the Foundation for Media Alternatives.)
Milby came to New York to lead performers in the 2026 Fiesta in America summer exposition at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ on August 15 and 16, 2026. He performed rockoustic music with his guitar at FIA on August 15.
Rockoustic star at Fiesta in America summer edition 2026.
Milby enjoying his fans at the American Dream Mall. (Photos by Fiesta in America)
Milby with members of the press in NY (l-r): Ricky Rillera of the Philippine Daily Mirror, Cristina Pastor of The FilAm, Fernando Mendez of FIA, Don Tagala of Bilyonaryo, and Marivir Montebon of Awesome Media.
At the luncheon conversation, Milby was gregarious and straightforward, even openly blurting out that his blood sugar was high. He however begged from answering questions on the recent break-up with Ms. Universe Catriona Gray.
A Filipino-American born in Troy, Ohio, Samuel Lloyd Milby rose to stardom after joining ABS CBN's Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) reality show.
He recalled that joining PBB, then 21, was fun but difficult for he did not understand Tagalog. He used his real name then, not intending to become an actor but only to cover for one participant who backed out.
Milby finished 4th place in the reality show that became his gateway to Philippine entertainment. Now 42, he is fully immersed and enjoying his Filipino roots as a performer. His first major movie “Close to You” co-starred actors John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo in 2005.
Milby: I remember my mom introduced me to siopao.
In 2006, he released his self-titled album and launched a successful singing career in a solo concert called Sam Milby: Rockoustic Heartthrob. In 2012, he spent time in New York performing in various musicals including Anna Maria’s Godspell.
Milby said he was pretty much living a normal life that was heavily on sports and figure skating in Ohio with his younger sister Ada. "I wasn't conscious of being Filipino growing up. I remember my mom introduced me to siopao. We didn’t like it when she cooked fish in the house," he said.
Milby’s parents are Elsie Lacia from Surigao del Sur who migrated to the US as spouse to Lloyd William Milby, an entrepreneur in Ohio.
Asked how he wants to be remembered and if he will seek public office, Milby said: “to be remembered simply as a person, not an actor, who is kind and sincere.”
And to the second question, he emphatically said no he won’t be a politician, steering away from the culture of corruption, which he believed is hopeless. #
