MANILA, Philippines — “Ang Mutya ng Section E” star Ashtine Olviga is poised to make her debut in the Metro 2025 Manila Film Festival (MMFF) through the official entry “Manila’s Finest,” which is directed by Raymond Red.
She takes on the role of Agnes, the daughter of Piolo Pascual’s Lt. Homer Magtibay, a seasoned cop, in the movie produced by MQuest Ventures and Cignal.
Set in 1969, the crime drama film follows the story of a band of Manila policemen struggling to preserve their integrity and loyalties as creeping state control signals a nation about to change.
Ashtine told The STAR how grateful she is to be part of the film and working alongside with the experienced actors.
“It’s also unexpected. This is my first movie outside Viva,” she said.
A day before the interview at The STAR’s studio, the young actress filmed her first scene with veteran actor Piolo. The STAR was able to visit the actual set of “Manila’s Finest” in Manila.
“It was my first day of filming yesterday and I was really nervous and scared,” she recalled.
“Kung magagawa ko ba yung scene, kung mabibigay ko ba yung emotions. Kasi hindi pa naman po ako yung ganun kagaling na kahit anong salang mo, go! There are times na alam ko nabigay ko, may mga times na alam ko hindi ko nabigay.”
The Viva artist and one-half of the AshDres love team (with Andres Muhlach) is set to make her Metro Manila Filmfest debut via ‘Manila’s Finest.’ She plays Agnes, the daughter of Piolo’s Lt. Homer Magtibay in the film directed by Raymond Red.
The “Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna” actress also hoped that she could learn insights on navigating showbiz from Piolo, who has been in the industry for quite a while now.
“I am expecting to learn lessons from him because he has been around in the industry for quite some time. It’s a big help for me,” shared Ashtine.
“Masaya and he is easy to work with,” she further described her co-actor. “Nabigla pa nga po ako parang they gave me instructions na lahat by words lang.
“I’m used to doing practice first then puntahan yung dito, yung blocking ganyan. Pero grabe yun na pala yun. Practice na agad. Take na agad.
“I got really nervous. The scenes were heavy kaya kabado but they were all kind to me. Wala akong masabi.”
Aside from the two, “Manila’s Finest” is also composed of ensemble cast, including Enrique Gil, Kiko Estrada, Cedrick Juan, Romnick Sarmenta, Joey Marquez, Dylan Menor, Ethan David, Soliman Cruz, Ariel Rivera and Paulo Angeles.
They are joined by Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Inday Fatima and Pearl Gonzales.
Ashtine is also eager to learn more from the ensemble cast. “I’m looking forward to the lessons I can learn from them. I know they will share guidance and wisdom,” she said.
For her first MMFF, she hoped to create meaningful experiences and fun memories rather than focus on winning awards.
“Ine-expect ko na mag-e-enjoy lang ako with new experiences, memorable ones that I would keep. Masaya lang. But the awards, I don’t really expect (them),” she maintained.
“But if may dumating man, I will be very thankful. But if none, it’s OK. For me, whatever is the outcome of the movie, basta alam ko binigay ko yung best ko, I’m OK with it.”
Meanwhile, Ashtine’s onscreen partner, Andres Muhlach, also congratulated her on her new milestone and has been supportive of her projects outside of their teamup.
“Aside from him, all of the cast (members of ‘Ang Mutya ng Section E’) were also happy for me na nakasali ako in this film. We celebrate the wins of each other. Because we know where we’re coming from, zero experience talaga and this is really our dream. We have the same dream. Alam namin yung nararamdaman ng bawat isa.
“So if may achievement yung isa, may blessing, we are always there to congratulate and support each other. And they are also like that to me.”
Is she also hoping to have an MMFF movie with Andres?
“Of course! Why not? Sobrang love ko din yung AshDres (fandom) kasi,” beamed Ashtine.
Source: PhilStar.com (Ashtine Olviga on playing Piolo Pascual’s daughter in ‘Manila’s Finest’ | Philstar.com)