Atasha Muhlach sets out to carve her own path

Atasha Muhlach —@robbiepinera INSTAGRAM

It seems like only yesterday when we first saw Atasha Muhlach on stage, wide-eyed and pigtailed, taking on the role of the smarty-pants Brigitta von Trapp in a local production of “The Sound of Music” in 2011.

While the early signs of presence and charisma were already apparent, the then-nine-year-old did it purely for fun, with her parents—Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, of course—hoping it would help her overcome shyness and build discipline.

Now 23, Muhlach is on the cusp of stardom. With a string of projects that brought her closer to the general public—like the sitcom “Da Pers Family” and the noontime show “Eat Bulaga!”—she has been steadily building a following. And just last June 29, she was hailed Most Promising Female Star at the 53rd Box Office Entertainment Awards.

Finally, the once-reluctant actress is ready, not merely to follow in her parents’ footsteps, but carve her own path alongside theirs. “This is it!” she told select reporters backstage at a recent press conference. “I want to try everything because I get to learn a lot of things along the way. It makes me motivated to do better.”

Unlike most celebrity children who are thrust into the spotlight with multiple projects right out of the gate—hoping that something will stick—Muhlach (and her twin brother Andres) took a more measured approach. Her entry into the industry was gradual and intentional, shaped by her parents’ experience.

Education was always the priority. And while she took on a few one-off theater roles, the closest she came to showbiz during her youth were television commercials with her family, along with glimpses of a life many perceived as aspirational.

And here lies her appeal: Despite her prominent lineage, it came as a surprise to many that, behind the air of sophistication or privilege, there’s a young woman who’s actually grounded and hardworking—and surprisingly fun and relatable.

She couldn’t be more grateful for the way her parents raised her and guided her toward this path. “They’re very proud and supportive. And it’s not just them, but the whole family,” she said. “They’re the reason I’m able to do all these things.”

“They give me confidence,” she added. “They always tell me, ‘Kaya mo ‘yan. Just try.”

First major acting role

These are words she has never needed more as she takes on her first major acting project in the local series adaptation of the hit Thai movie “Bad Genius.” Set to premiere on the streaming platform Viva One on July 17, the story—much like the original—follows Lin (Muhlach), an intelligent high school student from a modest background who earns a scholarship to one of the country’s top private schools.

Struggling with financial challenges but determined to maintain her high grades, she begins helping—and feeding test answers to—her wealthier but considerably less gifted classmates. Soon, the gig escalates into a full-blown money-making scheme that uses secret codes and involves standardized exams.

But as the racket takes a life of its own, Lin finds herself in a moral quandary and is left grappling with the consequences of her actions.

A serious dramatic role in a heist thriller-meets-coming-of-age story is quite a leap from the lighthearted comedy and hosting gigs she had been doing before. The prospect scared her at first. Opportunities and blessings, she said, always come with a fair share of nerves. But in moments like these, there’s really no other way forward than to take that leap of faith.

“You’ll never know where you stand unless you start doing something. It’s only when you begin that you see what you need to improve on. And the process never ends, so I can only hope to keep working and getting better,” says Muhlach, who’s joined by Jairus Aquino as Bank, Gab Lagman as Pat, and Hyacinth Callado as Grace.

Unlike the cold, no-nonsense Lin, Muhlach is energetic and lively—a striking contrast. Ever the “nerdy” student, meticulous about lectures and school activities, she has never cheated in class. “Only in video games,” she quipped, laughing, “but that’s about it.” “Everything was challenging. Nothing good comes easy, so you have to give it your best, give it your all and put your heart into the work that you do.”

No. 1 critic

With guidance from workshops and director Derick Cabrido, Muhlach unlocked a new type of intensity and a touch of swagger that had been inside her all along. In between takes, she’s the same ball of energy. (You hear her on set before you see her, Cabrido said.) But once the camera starts rolling, she flicks a switch and suddenly she’s Lin.

“My goal is to try something different and play a character that’s so far away from my personality,” said Muhlach, who usually retreats to a quiet corner before a crucial sequence, poring over her script teeming to the edges with handwritten notes.

Despite praise from her coworkers, Muhlach admitted she still has a lot to learn. But whenever she doubts her performance or how to approach a role, she can always count on her parents to tell it like it is. “At the end of the day, they’re my idols, and I deeply respect and admire them,” she said.

Her father, Aga, is the bigger stickler when it comes to acting, but Muhlach knows it’s all in her best interest. Nothing personal—just some “tips and tricks” to hone her skills. “Perhaps my father is my toughest critic, but I always trust him and know he means well. It’s all constructive criticism,” she said.

The original “Bad Genius” is a critically acclaimed international hit—and with its reputation comes pressure for the remake to do well. But Muhlach would rather not dwell on the weight of expectations. How the audience receives the show is out of her hands. As an actress, the only thing she has control over is the time and effort she puts into her work.