Sam Concepcion considers the upcoming Star Cinema movie Way Back Home as his biggest break so far as an actor. During the press conference for the movie opening this August 17, Sam shared that he was very excited when he was offered the role. “Sobrang excited po talaga to work with Julia (Montes) and Kathryn (Bernardo), kasi siyempre they're very successful umpisa pa lang ng Mara Clara.”

Though the movie’s main stars are Kathryn and Julia, Sam said his character and that of Enrique Gil’s as leading men are still important in the story. “It's a big role rin yung pinortray namin ni Enrique. We just give our all po and did our best for this movie. Of course, our characters play support to Kathryn and Julia. Kung hindi namin gagalingan ni Enrique mahihirapan din sila. I guess that was the challenging part sa project na ito.”

In Way Back Home, Sam will be paired with Julia, a role that was supposed to be played by AJ Perez before the young actor died in a vehicular accident last April 17. Sam doesn’t see himself as just mere “second choice” for the role. Instead, he would love to honor his good friend AJ by giving his best in portraying the character. “Para na rin naman pong first choice. Kasi nga po sa dami naman ng mga artista ng ABS-CBN ay sa akin ipinagkatiwala ng Star Cinema ang role na para sana sa kaibigan kong AJ. Actually, ang name ko po sa movie ay AJ din as a tribute to him.

“AJ kasi is very hardworking. Kaya niyang gawin kahit ano that he sets his mind to. I wanted to do the same for this movie. Siyempre, ibinigay ko rin lahat yung kaya kong gawin kung paano niya sana gagawin itong project na ito. I’m just trying to do my best to make him proud in a way and siyempre not to let him down and his family down.”

As the new ka-love team of Julia, Sam said he is ready if there will be rumors linking them romantically. But the 18-year-old actor/singer/dancer confessed that he is not yet ready to have a girlfriend. “Priority namin ang trabaho namin ngayon, and also our school. Wala pa sa isip namin ‘yung mga ganun. I’m in love…with my work. Ha ha ha!”

Sam is just thankful that for now he and Julia are good friends and that they have lots of common interests which help them bond while on the set. “Magka-vibes na kami talaga. We get along well. We like the same things. Pareho po kaming mahilig mag-Counter-Strike. Mahilig siyang kumain.”