Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Aside from being an actress, Sparkle artist and Hearts On Ice lead star Ashley Ortega revealed that she is still open to joining skating competitions despite her busy schedule and said that she “don't wanna close my doors” to joining.

“Meron naman daw competition soon, abroad. I don't wanna close my doors so tingnan natin kung kakayanin ko ba representing our country,” Ashley said in an interview with Cata Tibayan on Chika Minute for 24 Oras.

Even before she became an actress, Ashley has been a competitive figure skater and has participated in competitions both locally and abroad.

In a separate interview, the actress admitted to being emotional when she accepted the role in Hearts On Ice.

“Actually, nu'ng malaman ko na may show ako about figure skating, naiyak talaga ako. I got so emotional because pangarap ko. And sinasabi sa akin, 'Ano dream role mo?' I always say figure skating,” she said.

Ashley plays the role of Ponggay in the series, a young girl that despite her disabilities, dreams of becoming a figure skater and with the help of the people around her, works toward that dream.

“This is the story that shows the value of hard work, determination, and perseverance,” she added.

The Sparkle artist also commended her co-stars on their dedication to training in figure skating, especially her leading man, Xian Lim.

In a separate interview, she praised Xian for his dedication to learn more about the sport and develop some moves in figure skating.

In the same March 2 24 Oras report, Xian said that he only wanted to “learn everything there is to know” about figure skating with the amount of time given him.

“I just really wanna learn everything there is to know dun sa oras na binigay nila sa akin. On how figure skaters operate and how they train, and the discipline they have on ice,” he said.

Their co-star, Roxie Smith, also expressed how grateful she has been for all the support she received from the cast, especially Ashley, who gave her a pair of skates that Ashley used before, which Roxie now considers her lucky charm.

Skye Chua who, like Ashley, is also a competitive figure skater, may be acting for the first time in the series but she's completely up for the challenge of playing a kontrabida who is “super competitive and parang naabot na niya, she's so close to being the number one.”

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF ASHLEY'S ICE SKATING PHOTOS THROUGH THE YEARS IN THIS GALLERY: