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Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com
December 17, 2025 | 10:31am
Ashtine Olviga
Philstar.com / Jan Milo Severo
MANILA, Philippines — Young actress Ashtine Olviga opened up on working with Piolo Pascual in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 entry "Manila's Finest."
In an interview with the media, Ashtine — who plays Piolo's daughter in the film — said she was pressured to work with established names but the actor eased the pressure filling her.
"Si Sir Piolo sobrang bait niya po. Sobrang overwhelming yung nangyayari sa akin, yung pressure, yung kaba. Siyempre pag kinakabahan ka minsan mas hindi mo magagawa," Ashtine said. "Pero with Sir Piolo, pinaramdam niya na hindi niya dinagdagan yung kaba ko."
Also in the cast of "Manila's Finest" with Piolo and Ashtine are Enrique Gil, Kiko Estrada, Cedrick Juan, Romnick Sarmenta, Joey Marquez, Ariel Rivera, Soliman Cruz, and Rica Peralejo marking her return to film after 15 years.
"Nahihiya ako kasi bigating artista ang mga makakasama ko pero hindi nila pinaramdam yon. Minsan kahit nagkakamali ako, hindi nila pina-feel na parang 'ano ba yan.' Sobrang bait nila talagang lahat," Ashtine reiterated.
"Manila's Finest" is gaining traction to be possibly this year's most talked-about MMFF entry being a police drama set in the gritty, changing Manila of 1969.
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Raymond Red, who won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, helms the project produced by MQuest Ventures — the same team behind past MMFF entries "GomBurZa" and "The Kingdom," both also starring Piolo and Cedrick.
Penned by a team of renowned screenwriters led by Moira Lang, Michiko Yamamoto, and Sherad Sanchez, the film tells the story of Capt. Homer Magtibay (Piolo) and his trusted partner 1st Lt. Billy Ojeda (Enrique) as they navigate the challenges of serving in the Manila Police District during a pivotal time.
The officers face crimes that test their loyalty, courage, and the bonds of brotherhood that define them. More than a police drama, "Manila's Finest" also explores the sacrifices made for family and friends and moral choices that shape a city struggling to hold on to its identity.
"We wanted to capture Manila at a pivotal moment — beautiful, wounded, and alive. This film is about the people who kept moving, even as the city around them was changing," shared Raymond Red.
Piolo recounted his experience in preparing for his role as Capt. Homer Magtibay, "We studied the lives of police officers in the 1960s to ground the story in truth. These characters may be fictional, but they reflect real people in the past who served with passion and heart."
"Manila's Finest" premieres in cinemas nationwide alongside other MMFF 2025 entries beginning December 25, Christmas Day.
