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Jerry Donato - The Philippine Star
February 5, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Sparkle GMA Artist Center teen star Ashley Sarmiento had her coming-of-age celebration last Jan. 26 with “The Princess Diaries” theme and “Bridgerton” vibes at the Diamond Hotel Manila. Thus, it was dubbed “Royal 18.” Ashley’s actual birthday is Jan. 13.
Now that she has entered adulthood with privileges such as making her own decisions, still with the guidance of her parents and talent management, Ashley was inquired about other creative areas she would like to foray into in an interview with the media for her debut.
And the star of “MAKA,” the GMA Public Affairs’ hit youth-oriented series which airs Saturdays at 4:45 p.m., had this to say: “I think it is still acting, but at the same time, I wanna try the singing career path since I really enjoy singing and I write songs. I compose songs. I think it’s one of my plans that I want to pursue.”
Part of her journey from being 18 is to look forward “to what projects will come my way and the new roles (to play),” shared she.
Given the chance to star in a show, Ashley showed her interest in the action and psychological genres. The former will fulfill the adventurous child in her, while the latter helps the artist further explore acting.
For the meantime, she is paired with fellow Sparkle GMA Artist talent Marco Masa and gets the chance to work with other stars in various Kapuso programs. What matters to Ashley is being able to deliver whether the assignment features her as part of a love team or as a solo young actress.
“I started with GMA in 2020. On the day of my contract signing, they made a chat message about the start of the lockdown while I was on my way (to the event),” recalled she during the press conference. “So, the formal contract signing didn’t push through.”
Sparkle GMA artist Ashley Sarmiento had her debut last month, signaling that she has entered adulthood. The talent and star of ‘MAKA’ sees herself continuing acting and trying her hand at singing. It’s also on her wish list to do an action or a psychological project.
When the guidelines and safety protocols were drafted and implemented, the age bracket and requirement didn’t allow her to work in a bubble. Ashley waited for two to three years before she could resume her acting. She considered that break as an extra time to prepare herself for future assignments.
Ashley remembered that the actors and the production staff in her first GMA show were “super accommodating and welcoming.” From then on, she has appeared in different shows.
Ashley was also part of the ensemble cast of “Black Rider,” with Ruru Madrid as the title role.
“Super, super love ko po yung ‘Black Rider’ family ko. It was my first time doing a role that’s boyish, tomboy, tapos siga at batang kalye (and also a brave street kid). At first, I was super nervous about how to play such a role since it was new to me. But with the (support and help of my fellow) actors and directors, and the preparation for the role, nagampanan ko po naman po siya ng madali (I played and got into the role easily).”
Then, the opportunity to act in “MAKA” Seasons 1 and 2 came.
Away from the klieg lights, Ashley is a grade 12 student and expects to complete her senior high school education this year.
“I’m still in school and medyo mahirap po kasi (nung) last year, simula po nung last year, parang tuloy, tuloy po yung work (it was a bit challenging to juggle studies and acting beginning from last year because of continued work). So, I had difficulty catching up (with the lessons). But luckily, my friends in school and my teachers are very understanding.”
Again, what does she look forward to and hope to have now that she’s a lady? Ashley said, “I’m also looking forward to traveling more. Gusto ko pa ring po ma-experience ang traveling with my family. I look forward to have a car.”
But she has to learn how to drive one first and squeeze it into her schedules as a student and as an artist.
“Personally, I prioritize my studies and my work kasi mahirap silang pagsabayin (because balancing them is a tough act),” concluded Ashley.
Watch Ashley in “MAKA” every Saturday afternoon, where her character named Ash, a social media influencer, is part of the talented group of teenagers from Douglas MacArthur High School for the Arts who find a new home in MacArthur Academy.
