How Ashtine Olviga rewards herself

March 11 ------ Even after back-to-back projects, including her first solo anthology show on Viva One, Ashtine Olviga tries to stick to the lifestyle she’s had before her career took off. For one, the Viva Agency artist still prefers commuting.

“Minsan iniisip ko po, worth it bang bumili ng car? Pero parang na-realize ko, kaya pa naman. Kaya pang mag-commute. And ang sarap pa mag-motor,” the avid biker told The STAR in an exclusive Zoom chat when asked about how she has rewarded herself after a big year in 2025. She explained that being around crowds does not make her uneasy, as she understands what it is like to be an ordinary commuter. “Napapansin ko po kasi alam ko din yung feeling na nagko-commute... Halos lahat ng mga tao talaga wala na silang pakialam kung may makikita silang artista diyan kasi pagod na sila,” she said.

Most people in the MRT, LRT, or other means of public transport are simply focused on getting through their day, Ashtine further observed. “From work papunta ka pa lang, ramdam mo na yung pagod kasi sa commute and then pauwi pa. Kaya parang wala lang. “Na-enjoy ko lang din yung fact na nakauwi ako na ganito lang yung nagastos ko. Ang sarap ng feeling,” she added.

Ashtine also shared with The STAR that managing her money carefully is something she learned early from her family. Her mother has been allowing them to handle their own finances even when they were younger. “Ever since po hinahayaan po ako ni Mommy. Kahit may mga small na income kami before, hinayaan po kami ni Mommy na mag-handle ng money namin,” she said.

Now that she is earning more, Ashtine divides her income into different priorities. “Kapag may income po ako, dini-divide ko siya. There’s savings, expenses, and wants. For example, yung wants ko, kapag sobra na at wala na akong pang-wants, di wala na akong pambili. Hindi siya yung parang ‘ang dami kong pera ngayon, deserve ko ’to, deserve ko ng ganito,’” she explained.

Instead of acquiring luxury items and possessions, one of her biggest personal goals this year is giving something special and certainly memorable to her family. That is, treating them to their first overseas trip together. “Nahihiya kasi ako sabihin baka ma-jinx, pero parang finally matutupad na yung matagal kong dream na malabas yung family ko out of the country,” she shared.

She admitted that the idea has long been on her mind, especially whenever she travels abroad for work. “Kapag lumalabas ako ng bansa for work, nagi-guilty ako kasi hindi ko kasama yung family ko. Parang nafi-feel ko na sila lagi lang nagwo-work. Dream ko talaga na mauna ko silang malabas ng bansa para ma-experience din nila yung bakasyon,” said Ashtine, who will bring six of her family members. “Ang hirap naman pag isa lang yung isasama mo... Kaya sabi ko, hintayin ko na lang hangga't kaya ko silang lahat isama,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ashtine opened up on the biggest revelation she had about herself while taking on the anthology series minus perennial onscreen partner Andres Muhlach in “Viva One Originals: Ashtine.” This makes her the first artist to have a dedicated series on the streaming service. “Maybe until now, I’m still trying to always believe in myself,” she reflected.

She acknowledged that self-doubt sometimes affects her, especially when she hears the opinions of others. That’s why having faith in herself is something she continues to work hard on. “Ako po talaga yung sobrang bilis maano yung utak ko para maniwala sa sinasabi ng ibang tao,” Ashtine said. “But if there are doubts na pumapasok sa utak ko, lagi kong tina-try mag-focus sa ‘kaya ko ’to. “Sobrang daling sabihin na maniwala ka sa sarili mo; magagawa mo ’yan. Pero sobrang hirap gawin para sa akin. Kaya hanggang ngayon yun pa rin yung tina-try kong panghawakan.»

Source: philstar.com