“Iba talaga ‘yung suporta at pagmamahal after Mutya [The support and love I got after Mutya was really special],” she says, smiling like she still can’t believe it. “Sobrang na-encourage lang ako to give the better version of myself lagi… para sa kanila [I was very encouraged to always give the better version of myself…for them].” That swell of support came almost overnight. Before Mutya, she’d been quietly and patiently putting in the work for years, from Born to be a Star in 2016, to stints in multiple P-pop groups, to a solo single, to countless auditions. She calls the role her “answered prayer,” and she means it.
It wasn’t always a straight path for her. “Bata pa lang ako gusto ko na maging artista pero sobrang mahiyain ko talaga… nasa sulok lang ako [I’ve always wanted to be an actress, but I’m very shy…I’m always at the corner],” she recalls. Her mother was the one who pushed her to audition, even when early rejections came hard. There was even a moment she almost walked away. “Sabi ko kung di ko makukuha ‘yung Mutya, tigil na ako… gusto ko nalang mag-focus sa isang bagay [I told myself that if I didn’t get Mutya, I’m just going to stop.” But then the role landed in her lap, and with it, her reason to stay.
On set, she’s as disciplined as she is grateful.
“Mine-make sure ko na darating ako sa set na ka-bisado ko ‘yung lines… binibigay ko talaga ‘yung best ko, kasi hirap na magkaroon ng regrets [I always makes sure that I come to the set knowing my lines…I always give my best because I don’t want to have any regrets].” That mindset–part preparation, part faith–molds her as both an actress and a co-star.
Of her onscreen partner, Andres Muhlach, she says, “Pinagpe-pray ko na i-protect ‘yung kung anong friendship mayroon kami, mas ma-strengthen pa [I pray that whatever friendship that we have remains protected and is strengthened].”
She’s clear-eyed about the future, dreaming of action films, inspirational roles, and stories that push her to see “kung hanggang saan ‘yung kaya ko [how far I could go].” But for now, she’s here, riding the high of a breakout moment that was years in the making. “Getting here, sobrang daming [so many] rejections but I believe God really is the reason why I’m here,” she says.
Ashtine plays a girl who’s ready for anything and somewhere along the way, she became that girl herself.
Photographed by CENON AT MAV, Creative Direction by PATRICK TY, Art Direction by CLARE MAGNO, assisted by TROY NONATO, Fashion Direction and Styling by ROKO ARCEO, Beauty Direction by AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON and MARA GO, Produced by THESSMAR LECTURA, Sittings Editor PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO, Makeup by ARON GUEVARRA, Hair by ARVIN SANTOS. Nails by CATHERINE BALINGASA, GENEVIEV PIOQUINTO, JENNIFER PASCUAL, and OGIE RODRIGUEZ of TRIPLE LUCK NAIL SALON, Production Design TIPPING POINT, Fashion Assistant KRISSIE TERUEL, Producer for CaM LOUGIE DELA CRUZ, Lighting Assistants MIGHT MERCADO, RUEL CONSTANTINO, GABRIEL JEFFERSON OLMILLO, SAMUEL PILLON, and ANTONIO BAYLON, Written by LAURD SALEN.
Shot on location at RED APPLE STUDIO
Special Thanks to MIGUEL LAURETA, ELLA TAGACA, ANA YLALIM, and KEN OPIÑA of VIVA ARTISTS AGENCY, THESS GUBI, LAUREN DYOGI, ERIK MIRAS, JEFF RODRIGUEZ, PATRICIA RIGODON, and FRANCES JOSON of STAR MAGIC, CHESTER SINGIAN, JASHLEY CRUZ, and ROCHELLE TUAZON-CHAVEZ of SPARKLE PR TEAM and SPARKLE GMA ARTIST CENTER
