Ashtine Olviga gets real about activism in “Manila’s Finest” with Piolo Pascual

The rising actress stars alongside Piolo Pascual in the 1960s-set crime drama directed by Cannes-winning filmmaker Raymond Red, where she plays a student drawn into activism amid political unrest.

Actress Ashtine Olviga isn’t shy about speaking up, especially when it comes to issues she cares about. Like many from her generation, she sees social media not just as a playground for selfies and trends but also as a space for perspective and awareness.

She said she tries to use her platform responsibly: “If I see something online that I feel strongly about, I share it. If I believe it’s right, I share it. As a person, kung kaya kong tumulong, with all the blessings na nakukuha ko, I always grab the opportunity to help other people.”

We caught up with Ashtine on the set of Raymond Red’s 1960s crime drama “Manila’s Finest,” where she plays Agnes Magtibay, a college student who becomes deeply involved in activism.

She admitted she did her homework before stepping into the role. “I wanted to understand where people’s anger really came from,” she said. The story unfolds in 1969, following a group of Manila policemen dealing with shifting loyalties, fear, pride, and the cost of integrity.

“What’s being talked about in this film is still happening today. Nakakalungkot isipin,” she added. “Lalong naghihirap ang mahihirap, lalong yumayaman ang mayayaman. People are angry because they’re tired. The issues then are still the issues now.”

On-screen chemistry with Piolo Pascual

Ashtine stars opposite Piolo Pascual, who plays her father, Lt. Homer Magtibay. Their characters meet weekly at the police station as a bonding routine, where Agnes also interacts with her “uncles” in uniform—making her future activism even more complicated.

“Because Agnes became an activist, that’s where the conflict started, especially for Sir Piolo’s character. He’s the police, and the police are the ones trying to stop the activists from disrupting the peace,” she explained. 

For her, Agnes’ awakening felt natural: “In the ‘60s and ‘70s, there were so many protests. When she became a college student, her eyes opened. She became aware, and when she got angry, she became involved.”

Asked what she hopes audiences will take from the film, she said, “I think you should always stand for what is right. People don’t get angry for no reason. It’s OK to speak up.”

First shooting day jitters

When we visited the Escolta set in Manila, it was only Ashtine’s first day of filming—yet she was already tasked to shoot the movie’s emotional final scene. “What I’m shooting today is the last scene of the whole film,” she said with a laugh. “It’s a bit heavy, that’s why I’m feeling nervous.”

Asked what made it heavy, she explained: “Ang daming pinagdaanan ng character ko, dami niyang pinaglaban… pero sa huli, kahit anong gawin mo, kahit anong voicing out mo, minsan kailangan mo pa rin tanggapin ang nangyayari.”

Working with Piolo and Raymond Red

Asked how she feels about working with Piolo, Ashtine shared, “Hindi kami masyadong nakapag-bond, pero kasama ko siya during the look test. Makulit siya, so hindi naging mahirap for me. Today is only my second time with him, and we haven’t shot together yet—that’s another reason I’m nervous.”

She also admitted being intimidated when she learned she would be directed by Raymond Red. At the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, Raymond won the Short Film Palme d’Or for his 13-minute film “Anino,” making him the first Filipino to win the award.

“Alam ko lang na may director na mas bata,” she said, referring to the film’s original director, Rae Red, who happens to be Raymond’s niece. “Nakikita ko online na nagpalit ng director, kaya lalo akong kinabahan.”

Ashtine believes the film’s themes will resonate with both young and adult audiences. “Pwede mapanood ang younger audiences. Kapag nakita nila kung ano ang nangyayari, mamumulat sila nang mas maaga. Malaking tulong ’yon.”

Her first MMFF film

“Manila’s Finest” is one of the official eight entries to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival, under the crime thriller category. “This is my first MMFF, and it’s important to me because I feel like I’m slowly achieving my dreams. Checklist siya,” she said. “Sanay na rin ako na walang Pasko, because when I was still part of a girl group, we often got invited to perform in New Year’s countdown parties. So working on Christmas feels normal to me.”