MANILA, Philippines — Cheating is often seen as a deal breaker in relationships, but for actor Sam Milby, the situation is not always black and white.

While many consider it an unforgivable betrayal, the “Everything About My Wife” star recently shared a “more nuanced” take on the matter, stressing the importance of accountability, humility and effort in rebuilding what was broken.

“Love can be sweeter the second time around,” he began during a recent interview with The STAR. “And when it comes to cheating, I have a different view.”

For the Cornerstone artist, every situation is unique. “It depends. We’re human. We make mistakes,” he explained.

People can falter, he pointed out, but what truly matters is what comes after.

While many consider infidelity an unforgivable betrayal, the ‘Everything About My Wife’ star Sam Milby shares ‘more nuanced’ take on the matter, stressing how important accountability, humility and effort in rebuilding what was broken.

“I have a few friends that made that mistake. It’s what you do with the mistake that matters. If you show more effort — if you show na yung effort na para… ‘Oh, I made a mistake, I’m so sorry. I’ll make all the effort para bumawi’ — I believe in second chances.”

He recognizes that being cheated on is painful, and the betrayed party has every right to walk away.

“It’s hard. They have every right — kung sino man yung tao — they have a right to leave the person if they cheated… Lalo na ‘pag mag-asawa, they have a right. But I still truly believe in second chances.”

Sam believes the decision ultimately lies with the person who was wronged. “It’s up to the person who was wronged. It really depends on their reaction. If you made a mistake, you humbly admit it, and you come to them like, ‘I made a mistake. This is so wrong. I was in a moment of weakness, and I’m so sorry.’”

For him, genuine remorse is key. He stressed the importance of making amends and proving that the mistake was a lapse in judgment rather than a reflection of one’s character.

Sam graces the presscon for his newest romantic-comedy film. — Photo courtesy of CreaZion Studios

“If you make an effort and show that you’re trying to make bawi — showing them that they are really the only person in your life, and you’re sincerely sorry — I really believe in second chances. You can feel the sincerity of someone saying, ‘I made a mistake, and I’m so sorry. You are the only one that I want.’”

But forgiveness, he said, is not automatic — it must be earned. “Humility is so important for me — humility, honesty and being genuine. I think people deserve a second chance. We’re human. We make mistakes.”

Sam, nevertheless, acknowledged that marriage is a different story, as it carries a deeper level of commitment. “I mean, it’s different, obviously, especially when you’re married. But especially in the Philippines, there are so many cases like that. It’s a choice. You have every right if you want to leave. But if you feel it’s necessary, I think we’re human — we deserve a second chance.”

At the end of the day, he believes that people who truly regret their actions can redeem themselves.

“I think people can make bawi and make the second chance count.”

Meanwhile, in “Everything About My Wife,” he plays the womanizer Miguel who will come in between the married couple Dominic Brizuela and Imogen Karuhatan played by real-life husband and wife Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado. Now on its second week of showing, the film is the local adaptation of a megahit Argentinian film (which also spawned versions in other countries, including South Korea) that tells the story of a husband who wants to give his wife away. It is directed by Real Florido and co-produced by CreaZion Studios and GMA Pictures.

But his character has also experienced deep heartbreak.

“My character kasi… parang nag-give up na siya sa pag-ibig,” Sam reflected on his role’s main takeaway.

“He had the love of his life, and then nawala siya sa buhay niya. So, sumuko na siya,” he continued.

Because of this, his character distracts himself with fleeting romances.

“He is trying to fill his life with mga flames kasi parang yung feeling niya, ‘I’m just gonna enjoy, ‘cause I’m not gonna find love like that.’”

But despite his character’s initial despair, Sam believes that love always finds a way. “But laging may pag-asa. I think that’s the main thing,” he said.

For him, the take away from the film is that love can come at different points in life, even when one least expects it. “You find love in different parts of your life… So, there’s always a chance. There’s always hope for … laging may pag-asa para sa pag-ibig,” he said.