Imagine getting a message from your director, and it says you just won Best Actress in another country. Ashtine Olviga did not see that one coming.
Photo: PEP.phWhat did Ashtine Olviga win?
She was named Best Actress at the third MIFF, held in California on September 6, 2026, for her performance in Manila's Finest. The film was an official entry to the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival last December. PEP.ph says she played a rebellious student, the daughter of Piolo Pascual's character. Philstar describes her role as Agnes Magtibay, a college student who becomes interested in political activism.
How did Ashtine find out?
She told the entertainment press at the VivaOke launch on Wednesday, September 16, that the news came from a message by Raymond Red. She said it felt "out of nowhere," and then it slowly sank in:
Hindi ko po ine-expect at sobrang out of nowhere yung news na ganoon. Pero nung unti-unti po siyang nagsi-sink sa akin, naiyak na lang po ako sa tuwa.
She has not held the trophy yet because it still has to come from the US.
What did Ashtine say about awards?
This is the part we love. She says winning was never the goal:
Kapag nag-a-act po ako, wala sa awards yung goal ko.
Her only aim is to give one hundred percent every time, so she never watches herself later and wishes she had done more. The award, in her words, is a bonus. She also said it made everything she has been through feel worth it.
Who else won at the MIFF?
According to Philstar, Jericho Rosales was named Best Actor for playing the title role in Quezon, and Raymond Red took Best Cinematography for Manila's Finest. The film also took the Best Picture prize in the narrative category. The documentary 58th won for director Carl Joseph Papa, and Lea Salonga received the festival's Icon Award.
What is VivaOke?
Ashtine was at the launch of VivaOke, a karaoke app from Viva Communications and Viva Music Group. It carries OPM songs from artists such as Sharon Cuneta, Sarah Geronimo and Nadine Lustre, and costs P99 a month. You can find it on the App Store and Google Play.
Why her answer hits home
A lot of us work hard without an audience: the cleaner who sorts every shelf, the teacher who stays late, the student who studies for a quiz nobody will remember. Doing your best for your own peace of mind is a good way to live, and sometimes a trophy comes anyway.
What is one thing you did your best at, even when nobody noticed? Share it in the comments.
Quick answers
What award did Ashtine Olviga win?
Ashtine Olviga won Best Actress at the third Manila International Film Festival in California on September 6, 2026, for Manila's Finest.
How did Ashtine Olviga learn she won?
She found out through a message from Manila's Finest director Raymond Red, and said she cried happy tears.
Did Ashtine Olviga receive her trophy?
Not yet. As of September 16, the trophy was still to be sent from the US.
Updated September 21, 2026. Sources and photo credits: PEP.ph | Philstar | Manila Bulletin | Fashion Pulis. All photos belong to their respective owners.