Sam Concepcion

Samuel Lawrence Lopez Concepcion (born October 17, 1992) is a Filipino singer, dancer, actor, VJ and host. in April 2006 Concepcion won the Big Division in the first season of Little Big Star. Concepcion signed a contract under Stages and ABS-CBN's Star Magic. Concepcion began with 12 theater roles and participated in plays at a young age, including the role of Edmund Pevensie in the local adaptation of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and Mr. Noah's Big Boat. He played Peter Pan from 2002 to 2012. Aside from theater roles, he has acted in movies including Way Back Home and Shake, Rattle & Roll 13. His first lead role came in 2012 in the first Filipino musical-film entitled, I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila!. He had his first role in television in ABS-CBN's Mga Anghel na Walang Langit, and his major break was as Boy Bawang in Super Inggo.

In 2007, Concepcion launched his self-titled album under Universal Records. It was certified Gold by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry. He launched two other albums, Pop Class (2010), and Forever Young (2011). The latter was his biggest hit, charting at Number 1 for seven straight weeks. In 2008, Concepcion was chosen by DreamWorks to sing the theme song of Kung Fu Panda, entitled, "Kung Fu Fighting", which was included in the Asian soundtrack album. With this project, Concepcion is the first Filipino artist to have collaborated with DreamWorks.

Concepcion was an ambassador for many agencies and organizations. He was appointed by the Department of Education as 'Youth Role Model and Spokesperson' and National Book Development Board's (NBDB) 'Get Caught Reading campaign' ambassador in 2007. In 2008, Concepcion was appointed by the Business Software Alliance as the Official Spokesperson of the Philippines for 'B4USurf', 'Youth Ambassador for Education and the Arts' in the 3rd District of Manila and World Vision's 'Ambassador for Children'.

Concepcion was given a representative role by the Department of Tourism to the Korea World Travel Fair (2006). He was chosen by the Philippine government to sing in front of the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and world economic leaders during APEC's 'Business Advisory Council Gala' opening. He was awarded by the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines the United Nations Association of the Philippines "Outstanding Youth Leader Awards".

Early life Concepcion was born on October 17, 1992, in Manila, to Raymund and Gene Concepcion, both actors from the Metropolitan Theater. He is the third of four children and siblings to Kuya Red (24), Diko Kevin (23) and as Sangko Sam(19) to their younger sister, Gabby (13). After he was born, their parents eventually stopped acting so they were not able to see them perform, however, it led Concepcion to theater roles as his parents had done.

Concepcion's musical influences include Gary Valenciano, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Billy Crawford and Christian Bautista. Concepcion was invited to guest at two of Christian Bautista's concerts namely, Dunkin Donuts: Color Everywhere in March 2005 and Heartfelt in November 2005.

Career 2005–2006 Concepcion's first major television exposure came through singing competition Little Big Star, which searched for young singing talent. He was initially dubbed the Singing Crush ng Bayan throughout the show and became the crowd favorite. He was awarded the My Favorite Star Award for earning 52% of viewer votes, the highest percentage. During the Grand Finals, Concepcion sang "I Can't Stand Still" from Footloose. Concepcion took part in ABS-CBN's primetime shows, and first appeared on a drama series, Mga Anghel na Walang Langit, in a minor role. His first major role was in the fantasy series, Super Inggo as Boy Bawang. After winning the competition, Concepcion joined ASAP '06 where he became part of the group, Three-O, with Aldred Gatchalian and Aaron Agassi. The group disbanded when Agassi left. He was given his first starring role when he was featured on Your Song with Empress Schuck as part of the network's Christmas offering. The same Your Song episode was rebroadcast in 2007.

In June 2006, Concepcion, along with other Trumpets Playshop talents, was tasked by the Philippines' Department of Tourism to represent the country for the Korea World Travel Fair. Their team brought home the Best Folk Performance Award. In the same month, Concepcion was chosen by the Philippine government to sing in front of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and world economic leaders during APEC's Business Advisory Council Gala Opening. In July that year, he won Nickelodeon's Pinoy Wannabe Award with 40% of the votes, becoming the youngest and sole male recipient. In September 2006, Concepcion appeared on a magazine cover for the first time for Candy magazine. In that issue, he was announced as the Top Candy Cutie for 2006. He held the title for three consecutive years; no other local celebrity has held since. In October 2006, Sam had his first concert via a back-to-back birthday celebration with Christian Bautista.

2007–2009 Concepcion's next major television project was Walang Kapalit, a series starring Claudine Barretto and Piolo Pascual. Concepcion was a voice actor for the local anime network, Hero TV, voicing Koyuki, the protagonist of the Japanese musical anime, Beck. In June 2007, Concepcion went back to theater. He played Ryan Evans in the stage musical of Disney's High School Musical. He played Blaine Anderson in the stage musical of Fox's Glee and another the film School of Rock and Pitch Perfect, scoring positive reviews.

In September 2007, Concepcion launched his first solo, self-titled album for Universal Records. His first single was "Even If", a revived song from the American boy band 2Be3.

In February 2008, Concepcion became part of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, signing a co-management contract with Stages and was launched at ASAP '08. In May 2008, Concepcion was chosen by DreamWorks to sing the theme song of Kung Fu Panda, entitled, "Kung Fu Fighting", which was included in its Asian soundtrack album. With this project, Concepcion became the first Filipino artist to have collaborated with DreamWorks. Sam Concepcion at the World Vision's "Youth Campaign Against Hunger" in St. Scholastica, Manila in 2011. Concepcion won Favorite New Artist in the 3rd MYX Music Awards in March 2008. This win made him the category's youngest winner as he garnered 61% of the votes. In 2009, Concepcion won Top Teen Male Entertainer award in the first Pure & Fresh Top Teens Awards. In August 2009, Concepcion was awarded by the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines the UNAP Outstanding Youth Leader award for his positive achievements in the Entertainment category.

Aside from album release and theater roles, Concepcion returned to doing regular television shows in August 2008 on the remake of a Colombian series, i ♥ Betty la fea, which starred Bea Alonzo. He was included on a TV5 show, Lipgloss, where he played Kyle, the protagonist. During its second season, Concepcion left the show. He joined a group called GiggerBoys in ASAP together with Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, the late AJ Perez, Arron Villaflor, Dino Imperial, and Chris Gutierrez. The group launched in acting when Concepcion played Bobet, the optimist of the group, in Your Song Presents: Boystown in 2009. Concepcion, together with 40 Star Magic artists, flew to the United States for the Star Magic World Concert Tour held in Ontario, Canada and San Francisco wherein he did a Michael Jackson-inspired number.

Concepcion staged his first major solo concert dubbed as I'll Find Your Heart held at the Music Museum in October 2008 that coincided with his 16th birthday. Later in the year, Concepcion held a free Christmas concert at the CCP open grounds. In May 2009, Concepcion held another concert entitled, I'll Find Your Heart: Part 2 held at the Crossroads77 Convenarium in Quezon City. September 2009 marked Concepcion's return to theater, reprising his role as The Narrator/God. Concepcion portrayed the young Noynoy Aquino in Maalaala Mo Kaya, which depicted the untold love story of the country's historic icons, Ninoy and Cory Aquino. The album's single is an original, "Missed You".

In 2010, Concepcion became the youngest model to participate in the yearly fashion show of Bench, Bench Uncut 2010. Concepcion starred on the "Braso" (Arm) episode of a Star Cinema trilogy movie, Cinco. In 2011 he acted in the teen-oriented show Good Vibes, and family movie Way Back Home.

On February 19, 2011, he was the opening act for Taylor Swift's concert in Manila and sang his hits "Yeah2x", "Kung Fu Fighting", "Even If" and "Fireworks". On June 17 of the same year, he was joined by Elmo Magalona as the opening acts for Miley Cyrus's Manila concert. He became an endorser of My|Phone cellphone. Concepcion directed Tippy and Morisette's Face Off concert. He joined the Pilipinas, Tara Na! music video together with other Filipino artists to boost domestic tourism. In the same year, he became the cover model of Candy mini-magazine. He attended the first Candy press conference and Candy Fair 2011 and performed his latest single "Forever Young". During this time, he was dethroned as Hottest Candy Cutie by Enzo Pineda. According to Jollibee, the nine Yumbassadors "...represent the best in every young Pinoy" and "...form a new breed of role models that the country can proudly present to the rest of the world.".

Concepcion celebrated his 10th anniversary in show business by starring as the lead character of Peter Pan in the musical version staged by Repertory Philippines and S.T.A.G.E.S at the Meralco Theater. This production was the first time that this version of Peter Pan, written by Stiles and Drewe and the late Willis Hall, was staged in Asia. He released his third studio album, Forever Young, under Universal Records. "Forever Young" became the single. The single stayed at No. 1 for seven consecutive weeks.

2012–2016

Concepcion was chosen by composer Soc Villanueva to sing his composition "Kontrabida". From around 3,000 entries submitted to the first Philippine Popular Music Festival, 14 songs emerged on top including Concepcion's. Villanueva stated, "I never doubted Sam's talent. Even before he stepped onstage, I knew he would give justice to the song." He added, "Sam's confidence is just so high and talent is overflowing that I know that the battle is already half-won." after Peter Pan. In an interview with PEP, he stated that the film would be his biggest break. Concepcion was nominated at the 10th Golden Screen Awards for Movies for Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role-Musical or Comedy in 2013.

In July 2012, Concepcion was invited to Indonesia to appear on a morning variety show, Dahsyat Musik. He performed "Forever Young" and "Yeah 3x". This was the first time that he performed for Indonesians, and he became the top trending topic there. Following his appearance, Concepcion won "Most Awesome Guest" on Dahsyat Awards in 2013.

Concepcion's second full-length album, Infinite in 2013. The album celebrates his 10th anniversary in the music industry. He stated, "It's totally different from the way I used to sound. It's a new sound and a new look for me as a recording artist. That's one thing that my fans can look forward to." Concepcion was chosen as one of the new VJs for Myx – the first year where Myx did not hold public auditions.

Concepcion appeared in the Mira Bella series in 2014. He released the "Teka Break" singlefrom his upcoming album.

2017–present In 2017, Concepcion signed with Viva Artist Agency (VAA) and Star Magic. He appeared in a minor role in Miss Granny in 2018. In 2019, he starred in Indak, a dance musical, his first movie with Viva film production. In the same year, he led a concert with Billy Crawford and James Reid named as "The Crew" (stylized as The CR3W). In 2019, Concepcion was to star in HBO Asia's Halfworlds. The production was put on hold and is still in post-production as of 2022.

In 2020, Trumpets' longest running musical Joseph The Dreamer was revived and Concepcion was chosen to star. It ran in early 2020. In July 2022, Joseph the Dreamer opened again at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig City.

In 2021, he served as a judge in a singing competition in the Season 2 of TV5's Born to Be a Star. In October 2021, Concepcion released his single "Diwata", which was part of the soundtrack for Miss Universe Philippines 2021. He performed it for the first time during the live coronation. An accompanying music video and the single was later released. In 2022, Concepcion returned to the Miss Universe stage and launched his new single "Dalisay" which was used for the 2022 edition of the pageant. As its Ambassador for Education, Concepcion joined a nationwide school tour, dubbed as, SAMa-SAMa sa Eskwela, that aimed to encourage students to prioritize their education. Former Education Secretary Jesli Lapus asked Concepcion to inspire young Filipinos to see how education can improve oneself. He stated, "We need somebody like Sam to remind the youth that education can be enjoyable and can bring us close to our dreams". He visited 50 schools and 100,000 students in the first month and traveled to places including Pampanga, Bohol, Laguna, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao City. He was one of the National Book Development Board's (NBDB) Get Caught Reading ambassadors in 2007.

Concepcion was appointed by the Business Software Alliance as the Official Spokesperson of the Philippines for B4USurf, an Asia-wide campaign that promoted safe internet use. Concepcion was the Youth Ambassador for Education and the Arts in the 3rd District of Manila during that time. For the campaign, he launched his PaperClay Art Competition at the Manila Ocean Park with a theme, Ako Para sa Kalikasan. He visited poor municipalities and provinces in the Philippines to encourage everyone to share their blessings, so poor Filipino families could experience the joy of Christmas through World Vision's Noche Buena Gift. Concepcion was appointed as Youth Ambassador for Education and the Arts in the 3rd District of Manila wherein he launched his PaperClay Art Competition at the Manila Ocean Park with the theme, Ako Para sa Kalikasan. This concert helped raise funds for Aim Christian Learning Center. Sam Concepcion on his lecture for World Vision's "Youth Campaign Against Hunger" in 2012 in Cagayan de Oro. In December 2011, Concepcion and Star Magic artists, led by Piolo Pascual held a one-night concert dubbed as A Night to Give Back at Zirkoh Morato, benefitting handicapped and disadvantaged children. The proceeds were donated to Elsie Gaches, Reception and Study Center for Children, Sanctuary Center and Sagip Kapamilya. On December 29, 2011, Concepcion was joined by co-ambassador Tippy Dos Santos as part of the "Child Friendly Space (CFS)" in the Macasandig, (Cagayan de Oro) evacuation center to aid relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Sendong. The two visited some of the hardest-hit areas in Tibasak and Sitio Cala-Cala to listen and bond with survivor families.

In 2013, Concepcion performed at the annual MYX! Mo, 2013 concert, with proceeds going to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), the Philippines' strongest typhoon ever recorded.

Discography

Studio albums Sam Concepcion (2007) Infinite (2013) Bago (2016)

Extended plays I'll Find Your Heart (Music+Videos) (2008) Forever Young (2011)

Concert/Tours Year Title Venue Notes Ref. 2019 The Cr3w Smart Araneta Coliseum with James Reid & Billy Crawford

Filmography Film Year Title Role Ref. 2006 Miko Miko Romualdez 2007 Shake, Rattle & Roll 9 Paeng 2010 Cinco Ivan Pinoy Scout Lester 2011 Way Back Home AJ Delgado Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 Bryan 2012 I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! Rock Polotan 2013 Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel Cameo 2015 Makata (Poet) Kiko Etiquette for Mistresses The Young Guy 2018 Para Sa Broken Hearted Alex 2018 Miss Granny Young Bert 2019 Indak Vin 2023 Martyr or Murderer Noynoy Aquino

Television

Theater Year Title Role Venue Ref.2002 Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal? young Jose Rizal First Name Noah The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Edmund Pevensie 2003 Song of Mulan Mushu 2004 Mr. Noah's Big Boat voice of Japeth (Noah's son) Ryan Cayabyab: The Musicman at 50 young Ryan Cayabyab CCP Main Theatre Peter Pan and the Time Machine Wendell Ragnarok Prince 2006 Philstar Event Paperboy 2007 High School Musical on Stage Troy Bolton Meralco Theater 2009 N.O.A.H Narrator/God 2011 Peter Pan Peter Pan Meralco Theater 2020 Joseph the Dreamer Joseph Maybank Performing Arts Theater 2024One More Chance: The MusicalPopoy (alternate with CJ Navato)Philippine Educational Theater Association

Accolades + Awards and Nominations Award Year Category Nominated work Result Aliw Awards 2005 Best Child Performer 2006 Best New Male Artist 2007 Best Stage Actor in a Musical 2022 Best Lead Actor in a Musical Joseph The Dreamer Awit Awards 2013 Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "Kontrabida" 2014 Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "No Limitations" Best Dance Recording Best R&B Recording "I'm the One" Best R&B Recording "Dati" 2018 Best Dance Recording "Phone Down" 2019Best Dance Recording "Sarung Banggi" 2020 Best Lead Actor in a Musical Joseph The Dreamer 2021 Best Global Recording "Rise" 2022 Best Pop Recording "Diwata" Favorite Song CandyRap Awards 2006 Favorite Teen Star CREBA 2006 Filipino World Champion Artist Award Dangal ng Pilipinas Award 2009 Best Promising Male Young Singer Performer Dahsyatnya Awards 2013 Most Awesome Guest Star Entertainment Konek 2005 Male Crush ng Bayan FAMAS Awards 2011 German Moreno Youth Achievement Award Gawad Buhay Awards 2011 Male Lead in a Musical Peter Pan, a Musical Adventure 2023 Joseph The Dreamer 2025 One More Chance Gawad PASADO Awards 2008 PinakaPASADOng Kabataan (shared with (Shaina Magdayao) German Moreno Special citation 2007 Vaudeville Award Golden Screen Awards 2013 Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role-Musical or Comedy I Do Bidoo Bidoo K-Zone Awards 2006 Favorite Male Singer of the Year Metro Manila Film Festival 2007 Best Supporting Actor Shake, Rattle & Roll 9 MYX Music Awards 2008 Favorite New Artist 2009 Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ Favorite Media Soundtrack Kung Fu Fighting 2012 Favorite Male Artist Favorite Remake "Forever Young" Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ 2014 Favorite Male Artist Favorite Remake "Mahal na Mahal" Favorite Collaboration "Dati" 2016 Best Music Video "Teka Break" Favorite Song Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2006 Pinoy Wannabe PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2011 New Movie Actor of the Year Cinco PMPC Star Awards for Music 2016 Music Video of the Year "Kalsada" Best Collaboration "Dati" Male Pop Artist of the Year "Bago" Dance Album of the Year 2022 Male Pop Artist of the Year "Loved You Better" Male R&B Artist of the Year "Thrill of It" PMPC Star Awards for TV 2007 Best Public Affairs Program Host Y Speak Pure & Fresh Top Teens Awards 2009 Top Teen Male Entertainer United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines 2009 UNAP Outstanding Youth Leader Yes! Philippines Award 2006 Next Male Superstar