Gen Z star Ashtine Olviga champions respectful activism

December 11 ------ 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,” 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,” 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.

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.

Source: inquirer.net