Gen Z star Ashtine Olviga champions respectful activism
Rising Gen Z actress Ashtine Olviga underscores the value of respectful dialogue in a politically driven society, saying activism is most powerful “when you speak up with conviction, but also with respect.”
Set to make her Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) debut in “Manila’s Finest,” where she plays the outspoken activist daughter of Piolo Pascual, the young star says the role echoes the realities faced by today’s youth who are finding their voices amid social issues.
“Kapag mas maraming nag-i speak up, parang mas may power tayo… at least napapakinggan tayo, at least nakikita nila (When more people speak up, we gain more power… at least we’re heard, at least they see us),” she recently told select reporters at the film’s grand media launch.
Olviga noted that “collective action forces institutions to respond,” but that conviction must always be paired with courtesy.
“Kahit may pinaglalaban tayo, kahit alam nating tama tayo, kailangan pa din natin lumaban with respect kahit papaano (Even when we’re fighting for something we believe is right, we still need to fight with respect),” she added.
The 26-year-old actress said that her character Agnes embodies that balance, standing firm in her beliefs while maintaining respect, especially toward her father.
“Lumalaban siya kasi alam niya tama siya. Pero bukod dun, hindi niya nalimutan na maging respectful sa tatay niya… kahit galit siya, hindi niya din disrespect yung papa niya,” Olviga explained. (She fights because she knows she’s right. But she never forgets to be respectful to her father… even when she’s angry, she doesn’t disrespect him.)
Olviga explained that the film’s themes remain painfully familiar to today’s Philippines, especially amid the rampant corruption in relation to the flood-control scandal.
“Sobrang sakto nga eh, kasi kung ano man yung nangyayari sa movie, yun yung nangyayari pa rin ngayon… ang tagal-tagal na, hindi pa rin tayo okay,” she said. (It’s so timely, because what happens in the movie is still happening now… it’s been so long, and we’re still not okay.)
She hopes “Manila’s Finest” can help spread awareness among people, especially the youth. Aside from her and Pascual, the film also features Enrique Gil, Cedrick Juan, Rico Blanco, Ariel Rivera, Joey Marquez, Romnick Sarmenta, Rica Peralejo Bonifacio, Jasmine Curtis Smith, and Kiko Estrada, among others.
Before landing her MMFF debut, Olviga first gained attention in the teen romantic series “Mutya ng Section E,” where she is paired up with another rising star, Andres Muhlach. /ra
