
Veteran director Jose "Joey" Javier Reyes could not help but praise the young actor Will Ashley for his moving performance in the January 9 episode of the hit primetime series Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters.
In an Instagram post, Will expressed his thanks and wrote how honored he is to have played the role of Andrew Chua-Tan.
“I am truly grateful and thankful for everyone who trusted me,” he posted.
He added that playing the role has been a “roller coaster ride” for him and felt mixed emotions while portraying Andrew.
“But thank God, ginuide niya ako sa ginampanan kong character,” he added.
Direk Joey, the creator of the series, commented on the post, praising the young actor for a great job that is “far beyond our expectations.”
“You gave the character the depth and compassion so needed to make "Andrew" a tragic victim of tradition and expectations,” the director said.
He then expressed hope to be able to work again with Will in the future.
Likewise, viewers and netizens praised Will's emotional scene when his character bid goodbye to his mom Lily (Aiko Melendez) because of the numerous problems he was facing.
Both Will and Aiko garnered positive reviews from viewers who described the scene as intense and amazing.
Despite the praises though, Will admitted in an interview with Lhar Santiago on 'Chika Minute' that he felt overwhelmed by the compliments he received.
“Sobrang naooverwhelm po ako kasi nag-bubunga po lahat ng pinag-hirapan ko, namin, ng buong cast ng 'Mano Po' at nagugustuhan po iyon ng mga tao,” he said.
With Mano Po Legacy coming to its end, Will is now preparing for his next role which, according to the young actor, will be shot in a different country.
“Actually, 'yung pupuntahan po naming bansa is sobrang dream ko po siyang mapuntahan and 'di ko po inexpect na mapupuntahan ko siya as early,” he added.
TAKE A LOOK AT WILL ASHLEY'S QUARANTINE BODY TRANSFORMATION: