THE ASHDRES MAGIC AND WHY IT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED

Starting a "loveteam" in the Philippines is not very easy, as it requires "chemistry" between two individuals.

In the showbiz industry, most of the popular loveteams came from ABS-CBN, example of them are LizQuen, KathNiel and DonBelle, JaDine on the other hand was a product of VIVA before it was contracted by the same network.

But in this new generation, one loveteam blossomed into the hearts and minds of most people, "AshDres".

Who could ever forget the "enemies-turned-lovers" story of Kiefer and Jayjay in the hit romantic-comedy series "Ang Mutya ng Section E"? 

Starred by Ashtine Olviga and Andres Muhlach, the said series catapulted into the hearts of most Filipinos, and became one of the most-anticipated and most-watched series in VIVA One, the general audience-themed app of VIVA Entertainment. 

But who is Ashtine and Andres before getting their respective titular roles? 

Ashtine, a 25-year old actress and singer who started her showbiz career at the age of 17 in the 2017 romantic-comedy movie "Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo, May Boyfriend?" and was followed by supporting roles in the movies Miss Granny (2018), Sisters Forever (2019), Tropang Torpe (2020), Will You Be My Ex? (2023), among others. 

She also became part of Viva's P-Pop group LITZ, as well as UGG and P-Pop Generation. 

Andres, on the other hand came from a family of well-known showbiz figures. 

Being the son of Charlene Gonzales, a beauty pageant titleholder and the country's representative in Miss Universe 1994, and Aga Muhlach who is one of the country's award-winning actor and OG heartthrob of his generation, pressures are big for Andres as well as for his sister, Atasha. 

Andres' first project is TV5's ongoing sitcom Da Pers Family together with his family, before getting his biggest break... playing the lead role "Kiefer" in the said breakthrough series. 

       📷: VIVA Artists Agency/Instagram 

From crowded mallshows, to lamppost to banners up to LED trucks, AshDres has proven that they were able to produce a big fandom not just because of any project, but because of their "genuine interaction" with each other. 

We felt this during the series' press conference in December, wherein Andres admitted that he was able to get "kilig" during his scenes with Ashtine, an answer filled with genuine feelings. 

And how Ashtine called Andres as her "answered prayer", proves that this loveteam is just written by destiny waiting for its time to be unfolded. 

Even in the world of X (formerly Twitter), the Keepers has proven their love and support for AshDres, as they dominated the said platform every time. 

             📷: AshDres After Hours

But lately, it seems that their management is taking a "wrong turn". 

      📷: VIVA Artists Agency/Instagram 

Last March, the talent agency of VIVA teased a project of Ashtine together with their fellow star and the series' "second lead", Rabin Angeles that left a bad taste in the mouth especially for the "Keepers". 

This is the first time that an agency is pushing for another loveteam, instead of their main leads, adding that the social media team of VIVA has blocked some keepers who criticized their actions lately. 

Despite the overwhelming evidences of the fandom’s strength, including the almost 16 million views of the music video "Sa Bawat Sandali" which they both starred in it, why is the management still blind and deaf about this developments?

Is the "alleged" favoritism issue within the management of VIVA a mere defamation against their company, or is there a hint of truth that they just want to cover up?

Answers will still be "unclear" as VIVA has not released any clarifications about the favoritism issues. 

Whatever happens, both Ashtine and Andres deserves better treatment from their management, a treatment that is fitted for individuals who gave so much time and effort not just for their craft, but also for their fans.