Ashtine Olviga says ‘Manila’s Finest’ role is the wake-up call Gen Z needs right now

‘Manila’s Finest’ breakout star Ashtine Olviga explains why her character’s fight with her father is a mirror of today’s political landscape.

In Raymond Red’s MMFF film Manila’s Finest, Ashtine Olviga plays an activist whose convictions put her at odds with her father. In radar Entertainment’s exclusive interview with the actress, she talks about the filming experience, working opposite Piolo Pascual, and why the film’s themes still feel unresolved today.

Ashtine joined “Manila’s Finest” with little time to ease in. The MMFF film was shot over four to five days, and she says it wasn’t until the third day that she fully found her footing on set.

“On the third day, doon na nawala ‘yong kaba ko,” Olviga says. “Doon na rin ako naging comfortable sa mga tao sa set.”

Olviga plays an activist whose political beliefs place her in direct conflict with her father, played by Piolo Pascual. Working opposite Pascual, she says, was initially overwhelming, but not intimidating.

“Si Sir Piolo sobrang bait,” she says. “Hindi niya dinagdagan yung pressure. Kahit nagkakamali ako, hindi nila pinaramdam na problema ‘yon.”

What drew Olviga to the role was the character’s refusal to abandon respect, even in moments of anger. “Lumaban siya kasi alam niyang tama siya,” she says. “Pero kahit galit siya, hindi niya dini-disrespect ‘yong tatay niya.”

Preparing for the role also meant adjusting to the film’s period setting, something Olviga admits she occasionally struggled with, especially during ad-libs. “Nagresearch ako pero nakalimutan kong i-research ‘yong mga expressions noon. Minsan sa ad-lib, nasasabi ko, ‘Yon oh!’ Sasabihan ako nang, ‘Hindi pa ‘yan nagagamit noon!’ Tapos, ang tawag pala noon sa ‘kuya’ was ‘manong.’ Minsan nalilimutan ko kaya nasasabi kong ‘kuya.’ Things like that.”

Asked how the film’s themes of accountability and responsibility connect to the present, Olviga says the parallels remain difficult to ignore. She believes “Manila’s Finest” can resonate strongly with younger audiences, particularly in encouraging them to speak up.

“Kapag mas maraming nagsi-speak up, parang mas may power tayo,” she says. “At least ngayon, mas napapakinggan.”

As “Manila’s Finest” graces cinemas nationwide, Ashtine looks back at her year, and what her journey has been like.

“Sobrang daming nangyari,” she says. “Sobrang thankful lang talaga ako.”

“Manila’s Finest,” produced by MQuest Ventures, also features Enrique Gil, Rica Peralejo, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Cedric Juan, and Dylan Menor. It is one of eight entries to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival, which will run until Jan. 7, 2026.

 

 

Lumaban siya kasi alam niyang tama siya. Pero kahit galit siya, hindi niya dini-disrespect ‘yong tatay niya.

Ashtine Olviga of her character, Agnes Magtibay

 

 

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