Ashtine Olviga Is Ready To Take It To The Next Level

With the release of her debut EP and the staging of her first solo concert, Ashtine Olviga is most definitely ready for more.

The singer-actress and Billboard Philippines Women In Music 2026 People’s Choice honoree wasted no time making 2026 one of, if not the most, memorable years of her career so far.

True enough, her calendar year has shown us that this is only the beginning. With milestones already under her belt and more to come, she is set to carve out a space that is distinctly her own.

Billboard Philippines sits down with The Nation’s Mutya to talk about her most personal era yet, as defined by her debut EP and her first solo concert, and how she sees her trajectory and path forward in both music and acting.

Billboard Philippines: In August 2026, you released your debut EP, Love Like Ashtine, which in a way reflects your growth and hard work throughout your journey. What are some takeaways or lessons you learned from working on this project that were different from your previous releases?

Ashtine Olviga: Nag-release ako dito ng original songs. Parang mas naintidihan ko ‘yung mga singer-songwriters. Alam mo ‘yung feeling na mas personal siya sa akin ngayon. Usually kasi ‘yung mga songs na nire-release ko before ay gawa na siya na binigay sa akin.

(I released original songs here, and I feel like I understand singer-songwriters more now. You know that feeling when a song feels more personal to you? Usually, the songs I released before were already written and given to me by someone else.)

With ‘Love Like Ashtine’ na kasama yung na-release na ako ‘yung nagsulat, iba pala ‘yung pakiramdam pag ikaw yung nagsha-share ng heart mo, ng thoughts mo sa mga listeners mo. I kind of feel exposed in some way, pero in a good way.

(With Love Like Ashtine, which includes songs that I wrote, it feels different when you’re the one sharing your heart and your thoughts with your listeners. I kind of feel exposed in some way, but in a good way.)

Would you say there was an adjustment now that you get to claim your music as your own?

Adjustment in a good way. Parang nakaka-proud na kasi kahit ako sa sarili ko, like hindi ko inakala na makakasulat pala ako ng kanta. Sobrang nagustuhan ko lang din dito sa ‘Love Like Ashtine’ kasi iba-iba rin siya ng genre, iba-iba rin siya ng message per song.

(It’s an adjustment in a good way. It feels really fulfilling and something I’m proud of because even I didn’t expect that I’d be able to write songs. What I really love about Love Like Ashtine is that each song has a different genre and a different message.)

Was releasing this EP initially part of your plan, or were you just happy that you had the opportunity?

Nangyari na lang siya. Sobrang na-a-amaze talaga ako sa lahat ng nabibigay sa akin na opportunities ngayon na I get to express and I get to do what I want while nag-e-earn ako tapos passion ko ‘yung ginagawa ko. At the same time, naintindihan ko din yung purpose ko as an artist, which is to relate to other people, to give them comfort through my music or through my acting.

(It just happened naturally. I’m honestly amazed by all the opportunities I’ve been given lately. I get to express myself and do what I want while earning from it, and at the same time, I get to pursue something I’m passionate about. I’ve also come to understand my purpose as an artist, which is to connect with other people and give them comfort through my music or through my acting.)

This continued with another major milestone in your career, which was your first solo concert at the New Frontier Theater. What is one moment from that night that you remember most fondly?

Lahat talaga. First concert ko siya, and I got to do it with some of my girls din sa mga previous girl groups ko. Nakasama ko ‘yung mga taong tumulong sakin makamit or maging kung sino man ako ngayon. (I got to share the experience with the people who helped me get to where I am today and become who I am now.)

Before, kapag mayroon kasi kaming performances parang every weekend sa Teatrino, yung girl group namin. May mga time talaga na walang nanonood. Nung nakita ko na may mga taong nanonood or bumibili ng tickets para panoorin ako, sobrang “Wow!”

(Before, when my girl group would perform every weekend at Teatrino, there were times when no one would show up and watch. So seeing people come out to watch me and actually buy tickets to see me perform, I was like, “Wow!”)

Tapos habang nagpa-practice kami, nagru-run through kami. Tapos nakikita ko na “Wow! Busy ‘yung mga tao.” Parang nagwo-work sila para sa akin. So, sobrang nakakatuwa. Sobrang ‘yun ‘yung parang “Totoo ba ‘to? Nangyayari na ba talaga ‘to?”

(And while we were practicing and doing our run-throughs, I’d look around and think, “Wow, everyone’s so busy.” It was such an exciting feeling, and I had this moment of, “Is this real? Is this really happening?”)

For the concert, you were very hands-on, from the concept and setlist to the costumes and stage design. What was it like to have this level of creative control at this point in your career?

Ako, I’m just grateful. Kasi ako, aminado ako, nahihiya talaga akong magsalita. Like, “Pwede po ba ganito?” Pero sila, hindi nila pina-feel sa akin na, “Oy, masyado ka nang maraming gusto.”

(Honestly, I’m really shy about speaking up. I’d hesitate to say things like, “Can we do it like this?” But they never made me feel like I was asking for too much.)

Kahit sa mga guests ko na gusto ko nang makita talaga is yung journey ko, mga naging kasama ko sa shows. Kasi I want it to be my story. Yung mga songs na pinerform ko rin dun, sa akin din nanggaling, pero mas pinaganda nila.

(Even with my guests, I really wanted people to see my journey and the people I’ve shared the stage with along the way. Because I want it to be my story. The songs I performed were also my own, but they made them even better.)

The concert featured guest appearances from Rob Deniel, Amiel Sol, GAT, RAYA, your former LITZ groupmates, and your Ang Mutya ng Section E co-stars — who have been part of different chapters of your journey in the industry. What made it especially meaningful and rewarding to have them there with you?

‘Yung pag-agree nila na makasama dun sa concert na yun. Kasi, honestly, nahihiya talaga akong mag-invite ng guests. Kasi feeling ko, magte-take ako ng time nila, effort nila. Parang, “Sino ba naman ako, na baka bibigyan pa nila ako ng oras.” ‘Yung fact na pumayag sila to be part of that, ‘yun ‘yung talagang tumatatak sa akin.

(It was the fact that they agreed to be part of the concert. Honestly, I’m really shy about inviting guests because I feel like I’d be taking up their time and asking for their effort. I’d think, “Who am I for them to give me their time?” The fact that they agreed to be part of it, that really stayed with me.)

Music has always been a part of your life, even though many people first came to know you through film and television. How do you approach music now, and how has your perspective on it evolved over the years?

Before, takot ako sa music. First love ko talaga is acting. Tapos, aminado ako na hindi ko talaga strength ‘yung singing and dancing, performing in general, gano’n. Kasi mahiyain din ako. So, sobrang scared ako sa music.

(Before, I was really scared of music. My first love really is acting. And honestly, singing and dancing, and performing in general, weren’t really my strengths. I was also shy, so I was really scared to venture into music.)

Pero ngayon, sobrang thankful ako na nasali ako sa girl group. Kasi kung hindi ako nasali sa girl group, parang hindi ko ma-appreciate ‘yung performing. And parang nag-grow ‘yung love ko sa pagpe-perform, sa music na rin. And lalo na ngayon, na-discover ko na, “Oh, ganito pala magsulat ng kanta. Ganito pala ‘yun.” Mas naging passionate ako about it. Ayoko mamili between acting/performing or music. Gusto ko both.

(But now, I’m really grateful that I became part of a girl group. If I hadn’t, I don’t think I would have learned to appreciate performing. I’ve grown to love performing, and I’ve also grown to love music. Especially now that I’ve realized, “Oh, this is how you write a song.” It made me even more passionate about music. I don’t want to choose between acting and music. I want to do both.)

Parang nilalagay tayo ni Lord sa isang bagay na hindi natin gusto. Pero, sa huli, doon natin mare-realize na, “Oh, nakatulong sa akin ‘yung experience na ‘yun.”

(Sometimes, I feel like God puts us in situations we don’t necessarily want to be in. But in the end, we realize, “Oh, that experience actually helped me grow.”)

Having won the People’s Choice Award at Billboard Philippines Women in Music this year, how has that recognition changed the way you view your career now?

I’m grateful for that recognition. Pero I don’t think na nagbabago yung way of tingin ko sa sarili ko or sa career ko. Kasi walang permanent eh. Like, nagcha-change siya. Minsan, gusto mo ‘yung changes na nagbabago; minsan, ayaw mo. I prefer to go with the flow and kung ano man ‘yung nasa harap ko ngayon. I mean, mine-make sure ko na ibibigay ko lagi ‘yung 100% ko at i-e-enjoy ko siya.

(But I don’t think it changes the way I see myself or my career. Because nothing is permanent; it’s always changing. Sometimes, you welcome the changes, and sometimes, you don’t. I prefer to go with the flow, and whatever is in front of me right now, I make sure to give it my 100% and enjoy it.)

Now that you’ve released your first EP and staged your first solo concert, what’s next for Ashtine? What kind of sound or direction do you want to explore next?

I want more hip-hop/pop music. I want more upbeat music na ‘yung makakasayaw ako (that I can dance to) while performing. And at the same time, I wanna pursue acting pa din (still). And I wanna take more challenging roles na alam kong kakabahan ako, pero at the same time, magle-learn ako.

(And I want to take on more challenging roles that I know will make me nervous, but at the same time, I’ll learn from them.)

With Love Like Ashtine, would you say it’s the kind of music that you wanted to make, or are you still in the process of discovering more about what you want to do? 

Noong sinabi sa akin na mage-EP ako, sinabi ko talaga na gusto ko iba’t ibang genre ng music, iba’t ibang message nung kanta. Ayoko na pare-parehas, ayoko lahat slow, lahat upbeat. Gusto ko madaming flavors. And siguro, kung maglalabas man ako ng another EP, siguro parang ganyan din, pero mas improved.

(When I was told that I would be releasing an EP, I made it clear that I wanted to explore different genres of music and different messages through the songs. I didn’t want everything to sound the same; I didn’t want all to be slow or upbeat tracks. I wanted a lot of different flavors. So, if I ever release another EP, I’d probably want to do something similar, but improved.)

Who is an artist you’d love to collaborate with someday?

Miss Sarah Geronimo talaga. Nilo-look up to ko siya, hindi lang dahil alam kong given na sobrang galing niya talaga as a performer. Pero bukod dun, I really appreciate kung gaano ka-genuine ‘yung heart niya, kung gaano siya kabuti sa mga tao sa paligid niya.)

(Miss Sarah Geronimo, for sure. I really look up to her, not just because she’s incredible as a performer, which is a given. But beyond that, I really appreciate how genuine her heart is and how kind she is to the people around her.)

What do you want this era to be remembered for, both by you and your fans?

Gusto ko ma-inspire sila sa era na ‘to. Kasi ako, as a weak person, feeling ko, ako na ganito, narating ko ‘to. Paano pa sila? Gusto ko pag nakikita nila ‘yung story ko, ‘yung journey ko, ma-inspire sila to achieve their own dreams.

(I want them to be inspired by this era. Because as someone who considers myself a weak person, I feel like, if I was able to come this far, then what more can they achieve? I want them to see my story and my journey and be inspired to achieve their own dreams.)

Masasabi ko talaga na sobra-sobra pa ‘to sa pinagdasal ko. Lahat ng natanggap ko ngayon, sobra-sobra pa. Ang daming dumating na blessings na hindi kasama sa prayers ko, and I’m just so grateful kasi alam mo ‘yung lumalabas sa Facebook na ‘yung dream mo, kunwari, flower lang. Pero bibigyan ka ni Lord ng bouquet. 

(I can honestly say that this is far more than what I prayed for. Everything I’ve received now is beyond what I ever asked for. So many blessings came that weren’t even part of my prayers, and I’m just so grateful. You know that thing you see on Facebook where, let’s say, you dream is just a flower, but God gives you an entire bouquet instead?)

Don’t let things change your heart. Halimbawa, kung may mga bad experiences ka sa tao or sa life, don’t let it change your heart. Just stay kind, kasi kahit matagal, babalik ‘yun. Stay focused sa goal.

(Don’t let things change your heart. For example, if you have bad experiences with people or in life, don’t let them change who you are. Just stay kind, because even if it takes time, it will come back to you. Stay focused on your goals.)

_{This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.}

_{Photographed by Excel Panlaque. Art and Fashion Direction by Easel Manes, assisted by Gaby Molina. Makeup for Ashtine: Aron Guevara. Hair for Ashtine: Bianca Ann Vergara, assisted by Princess Quisel. Production by Liezel Restauro.}

Ralph Regis

Lifestyle and Culture Writer

Ralph Regis is a Lifestyle and Culture Writer at Billboard Philippines, where he bridges the worlds of film, television, fashion, art, food, and cultural trends with both the local and international music scene.

He has written extensively about artist collaborations, brand partnerships, and pop culture moments that connect back to music. He also brings stories to life through in-depth interviews with musicians and personalities, drawing on their diverse perspectives, opinions, and reflections on the human condition.

In addition, Ralph also writes about music releases across a wide range of genres, including pop, hip-hop, P-pop, and rock, highlighting both rising and established artists. With a passion for storytelling that goes beyond trends, he explores how music is part of our daily lives in one form or another, connecting culture, experiences, and everything in between.

See more stories by Ralph Regis