Since 2012, GMA actress Ashley Ortega has appeared in a number of teleserye, movies and live shows, such as To be You’s recent “Street Style” book launch where she modeled favorite fashion trends among the youth.

Ash, who recently turned 18, shares 18 things about herself:

FASHION

1 Gigi Hadid is her style idol. The young actress admires everything about the supermodel, she even turns to Gigi’s editorial photos for posing inspirations!

2 Ash’s go-to outfit is the model off-duty look. Her favorite colors to wear are black and white. She likes to keep things minimal by wearing high-waisted jeans or shorts, cropped top and sneakers.

3 She wears heels to school. At the SoFA Design Institute, Ash shows up for classes in three-inch heels. She doesn’t mind if she’s overdressed and likes to take fashion risks.

4 From a bracelet to a watch, Ash always wears something around her wrist. It completes and complements her preferred minimalist look.

5 Her favorite clothing brands are Topshop and Zara (for their classic jeans and cropped tops) and Forever 21 and Bershka (for their fashion-forward yet affordable items).

ICE SKATING

6 Ash started ice skating when she was 3 and became a competitive skater at 5. Her first international competition was in Bangkok.

7 Ice skating taught her that hard work pays off. When Ash fell while attempting a spin during the warm-up of a national competition, it left her with a big bruise on the left side of her chin. Yet she still skated—and ended up winning first place.

8 Her mom helps her with her costumes and makeup. While Ash chooses the color and design of her outfits, her mom hand-beads them herself. And because of her mom’s makeup skills, Ash learned how to apply makeup on herself.

SHOW BUSINESS

9 Ash was scouted at Philippine Fashion Week. Before show biz, Ash was a model. Of the 15 people invited by GMA to audition, Ash was the only person accepted. Weeks later, she starred in her first teleserye, “Cielo de Angelina.” She entered raw, relying only on her natural talent. Eventually, she enrolled in acting classes.

10 Her most embarrassing moment was being shouted
at by a director. As a first-time actress, Ash didn’t know where to position herself in front of the camera. Today, she’s thankful for the experience because it taught her to be tough and professional.

11 Jazz Ocampo, Ash’s best friend, is also in show biz. Ash and Jazz met and bonded when both were cast as sisters on “Insta Dad.” “We think alike and we both have strict parents!” she says.

PERSONAL LIFE

12 Ash is super messy. She always misplaces things in her room and has to ask help from her mom or sister.

13 Allyzza, Ash’s younger sister, knows her best. Only two years apart, Ash and Allyzza are very close.

14 Fun fact: Ash and Allyzza were both born on the 26th—Ash’s birthday is in December and Allyzza’s is in March.

15 Ash won as Miss Olive C Campus Model for 2014. For the contest she danced to Britney Spears’ “Circus,” choreographed by her sister.

16 She makes good pancakes. Ash may not know how to cook, but her pancakes are irresistible.

17 She’s afraid of the dark and never wants to be alone.

18 She’s studying interior design. Because Ash has been into fashion since she was a little girl, she decided to study interior design to broaden her horizons.

Photography Toff Tiozon
Styling Luis Carlo San Juan
Makeup and hairstyle Syd Helmsley

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