|
Miko
Samson:
The
Best of Both Worlds
 "You
can't serve two masters at the same time," or "You can't hit two birds with one stone," so goes the clichés.
Well, not for this young man, Miko Samson is actually enjoying himself
in the busy world of show business and hitting good grades in the academe circle
all at the same time.
Most celebrity kids
and teenagers tend to disregard the value of education since their work
demands much of their time. It seems that dealing with these things
at the same time is tough for them.
Rico Yan was once considered really
exceptional when he finished Business Management at the prestigious De
La Salle University that the government officially appointed him to lead
the government's youth programs throughout the country. People thought
it would take a long time for someone to duplicate Rico's achievement.
It didn't take long and little did anybody expect that he would be a product
of De La Salle's arch rival.
Unknown to many, Miko
has been a consistent honor student at the illustrious Ateneo de Manila
University since he was in grade school. At a young age he has gained
so many honors, awards and recognition— an achievement that has made him
one of the most admired students. Though he is part of the world
of glitz and glamour, Miko finds no difficulty in keeping up with his school
requirements. He manages to maintain very high grades and pass his
exams with flying colors. Indeed, he is Ateneo's pride.
Miko was discovered
when he was invited to do a spot audition during a concert of the cast
of the pre-teen show Kaybol (whose stars included Tom Taus and Jeff Long)
at the Ateneo. "I was in seventh grade, thirteen years old… and then
later on… they had me hold this coke can and do stuff with it…before I
knew it…" he fondly recalls.
He became a member
of Star Circle Batch 7 and first appeared on the variety tv show ASAP.
His first ever tv appearance though, was a few years before on GMA Supershow
when he promoted their school play Prinsipe ng Dagat (Prince of the Sea).
With his first showbiz salary he said, "I treated my family" and "I bought
myself a cellphone."
He then appeared on
tv dramas like Flames and Star Studio and guested on the comedy Oki Doki
Doc (which had former G-Mik star Paolo Contis as a mainstay). His
first appearance on the big screen was in the film Mahal Na Kung Mahal.
His first regular program was the information show Cyberkada where he was
one of the regular host.
However, it is in the
youth-oriented program G-Mik where he stars as Tonsy that made him well
known nationwide. Ironically, Rico Yan's career likewise got a lift-off
from this show (then Gimik) before. He was a part of the original
cast along with Patrick Garcia and Paolo Contis.
The best part of being on G-mik? "First I get
to play a character that I'm not. It's a challenge. On a taping
I learn to wait. There's a lot of pressure and, I like working under
pressure."
Miko's character as Tonsy is quite the opposite of Miko himself. Although they're both very smart, Miko is self-sufficient while Tonsy is an underachiever who seeks help.
Tonsy is a computer wizard and trendsetter with the lastest gadgets around. He doesn't want any romantic involvement because he doesn't want his actions dictated by a girl. Together with his buddy Epoy, played by Janus del Prado, they can easily burn up the planet with their boundless drives oblivious of the others.
Joining Miko and Janus in G-mik are Steffano Mori, John and Cammile Prats,
Angelica Panganiban, Heart Evangelista, Danilo Barrios and Carlo Aquino.
Miko loves to swim,
play golf, bowling, volleyball and billiards. He loves to watch American football,
sci-fi/alien films and the comic antics of the likes of Jim Carrey and
Eddie Murphy. Would you believe he has done more outrageous and amazing
feats than his Tonsi character? These include being able to eat a
live shrimp, skin a cat, dissemble and assemble computers! He's certainly
one of this very rare breed of whiz kids whose got a life!
This handsome lad once
shocked everyone when he admitted in a live talk show that he did have
a 20-year old girlfriend when he was merely 12. "At first, it seemed
it didn't mean anything for me… she became my adviser… until one day I
just woke up… she's already my girlfriend," he shared. He says he doesn't have any girlfriend now, "Tonsi has many girlfriends... I have none!" What does he look for in a girl? "Please give her brains."
For the information
of adolescents out there, this genius can cook! And boy can he really
cook! He considers eating as his worst habit. "In the mornings, I look in the miror and promise not to eat anymore. 'You're fat! Diet!' I eat little the whole day but when I open the ref at night... Argh!" He watches cooking shows like those at the Lifestyle Network
but he does his own creations. Friends usually come over to taste
his latest dish! Can you dig that?
However, what really makes him a real cut above the rest of the average guys, or even other geniuses for this matter, is that he is gifted with paranormal powers. Seriously, he really has a sixth sense but unlike Haley Osment in the movie, he's not scared. "I'm a psychic. I see ghost and auras (energy fields)," he confesses.
Like a typical teenager however,
he also loves going to the malls. In fact, he was inside Glorietta when
the mall was bombed. Luckily, he was far from the blast.
He's likewise a homebody
who considers himself a computer addict and who loves to read on bed. "I'm
on my computer most of the time, surf the internet, I chat. I like doing graphic designs and web pages. I read tons of books. I like books that make me think. I also write poems. Sometines, I try to contribute poems to our high school's literary society."
Aside from being busy with computers and books, he's also busy taking care
of his pets-- cats and turtles.
Miko is a favorite
among show business reporters. They say it's refreshing to interview
someone who talks with sense. He's friendly and very professional with them.
A group of reporters wrote that one morning they went over to his house
at Loyola Heights in Quezon City for a little interview and some pictorials
of him in his bedroom as requested by his fans. At that time Miko
was obviously tired since he just got home from a taping that went all the way up to five in the morning. Nevertheless, he accommodated them,
answered all their questions and obliged with the pictorials.
They swore that Miko's
bedroom is probably the most beautiful and the cleanest bedroom they have
ever seen. "It was so clean you'd be shy to step on it," says one.
"The room's so regal, it's more than fit for a prince," says another.
The motif of Miko's bedroom is a combination of white, black and silver.
His king-sized bed is so huge that six people can sleep comfortably together
on it at the same time. His computer system, components and telephones
are the only electrical stuff visible so, together with the perfect air-conditioning,
the bedroom is thoroughly relaxing.
 There's
just one black and white picture at his bed's headboard, no fancy decorations
that would make anyone dizzy. The windows are covered with elegant blue
and silver venetian blinds. There are a lot of throw pillows and
one large silver bean bag that he usually sits on while watching tv. He has quite a collection
of sci-fi and contemporary fiction pocket books. He doesn't want
his personal things touched so he himself cleans his bedroom. His wardrobe,
books, collection of cds, dvds and vcds are all neatly stored.
His large collection
of cd's attest that he's definitely a music lover. "I have eclectic taste in music. I can listen to anything but I hate Japanese pop music and I can't take forced OPM music by April Boy or that Tagalized version of James Taylor's 'You've got a friend.' I end up yelling whenever I hear it!"
As of the moment, Miko
isn't certain what career path he's going to take after college. He
just take things as they come believing that success comes to those who
give their full attention and effort in whatever they are doing. "I'm out to be rich and famous too! But if I'm gonna be rich and famous, let it be through honest means!
I'll probably go into business…the type of business that makes the most
money in the shortest amount of time… e-business perhaps."
As far as showbiz is
concerned, he looks forward to working with well-known actors and actresses
in the industry. He says he would also like to play a role where
his character does things he isn't allowed to do in real life. "I'd
like an experimental role, or a role that shows the truth in life.
Like a 15-year old guy smoking or with a girlfriend and it looks like he's
done the girl several times. I mean, I want to be able to show life
as it is now, no matter how liberal it may seem. "Cause that's how
it really is."
But won't that ruin
his wholesome image? "As an actor, I don't really care about my image
when it comes to roles because it's my job to act. And besides, it's
a lot more fun since it's typically the stuff you're not allowed to do.
People are gonna think you're naughty and people are gonna hate you for
what you've done… but sometimes, that's the objective."
"Live each day to the
fullest," that's his motto in life. "I'm a person wholikes to make most out of everything." Does he look up to anyone? "I don't really look up to other people. I'm not going to get any better if I keep looking up to another person who isn't me. If I look up to myself and give myself some credit and try to beat that, I end up becoming a better person." Is there a secret to his success
that he would like to share to everyone, specially the youth? "Don't
be afraid 'cause if you're afraid, you won't be able to do anything.
It's not a motto, it's more of a philosophy I live by for me, there's no
such thing as fear. There's only control I mean, why be scared of something,
you haven't even experienced."
Whether it is his school
paper or his script that he is perusing, because of his good attitude and
perseverance, Miko always creates a positive impression. A real thoroughbred. May he be a light for everyone to see and follow.
|