Following Andres Muhlach’s turn in Bagets The Musical, it’s now Ashtine Olviga’s moment in the spotlight as she headlines her own anthology series, ‘Viva One Originals: Ashtine’, premiering March 13 on Viva One.
The four-episode series positions Ashtine at the forefront, showcasing her versatility across comedy, romance, horror, and family drama — making her the first star to lead a Viva One Originals anthology.
The anthology opens with ‘Who’s The Boss?’, a body-swap comedy directed by RC delos Reyes. In the episode, Ashtine plays a driven assistant who unexpectedly switches bodies with her strict CEO, portrayed by comedy icon Rufa Mae Quinto. Beyond the humor, the story explores themes of empathy, power, and self-discovery.
On March 20, the romantic episode ‘My Melody’ airs, directed by Fifth Solomon. Ashtine takes on the role of Melody, a fangirl torn between her longtime best friend (Rob Deniel) and a Korean idol (Lee Dae Won) who enters her life unexpectedly.
The horror installment, ‘Balik-Eskwela’, streams on March 27. Directed by Roni Benaid and inspired by a viral TikTok concept, Ashtine plays Moana Marie, a student whose first day at school spirals into a chilling supernatural mystery. She stars alongside Marco Gumabao and Sara Joe.
Closing the anthology is the family drama ‘Bahay-Bahayan’, directed by Joy Aquino and premiering April 4. The episode pairs Ashtine with award-winning actress Claudine Barretto. She portrays Blessie, an independent young woman raised by her grandmother while her mother worked abroad. When her mother returns, unresolved wounds surface as they attempt to rebuild their fractured relationship.
During the grand media conference at Viva Café, Ashtine spoke about the lessons she learned from her co-stars.
From Rufa Mae Quinto, she learned to bring positive energy on set. “Sobrang relaxed niya po… napapagaan niya at nawawala ’yong problema sa set,” she shared.
Working with Claudine Barretto left a strong impression on her as well. She recounted how the veteran actress personally volunteered to close a door during taping when it was visible on camera — a simple yet meaningful act of humility that impressed her.
Ashtine also praised Lee Dae Won’s dedication despite language barriers, Rob Deniel’s creative songwriting process, Marco Gumabao’s discipline in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and Sara Joe’s reminder about the value of genuine friendship.
From joining the 2016 talent search ‘Born to Be a Star’ to her supporting roles and breakthrough performances — including a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Metro Manila Film Festival for ‘Manila’s Finest’ — Ashtine’s steady climb continues.
With strong audience appeal and proven acting range, many believe this anthology is a well-earned milestone. Fans of her love team with Andres Muhlach have even expressed hopes of seeing the pair reunited in a future episode.
For now, however, ‘Viva One Originals: Ashtine’ marks a defining chapter in her career — positioning her not just as a love team partner, but as a leading lady capable of carrying diverse stories on her own.
New episodes stream weekly beginning March 13.
