Will Ashley is learning to own his win
Urian winner Will Ashley. Has a nice ring to it, right? But the more he hears it, the more self-conscious he gets. Taking compliments isn’t one of his strongest suits, and having a title from what’s arguably the country’s most prestigious film award-giving body attached to his name is quite the compliment, indeed.
“Nahihiya ako. Siguro kailangan kong pag-aralan kung paano tanggapin sa sarili ko,” says Ashley, who won Best Supporting Actor at the 49th Gawad Urian Awards for his performance as a struggling working law student in “Bar Boys: After School.”
Funny, considering that getting such recognition is something he has always dreamed of. He might not express his emotions as freely and intensely as he does onscreen, but he’s happy. “Ngayon, nasa kamay ko na siya,” he says. “Nakakatuwa po. Araw-araw, sinusurpresa ako ng Panginoon ng mga pangarap ko lang dati na natutupad na.”
And to think that Ashley had earlier drawn attention for his acting in the 2024 indie film “Balota.”
Not a surprise
Prior to the big day, he confided in his close friend Mika Salamanca that he was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. Or he didn’t want to expect anything, more like it. Just being nominated was already a big deal, he assured himself.
“’Di ko magawang mag-assume kasi ayoko rin ma-hurt,” Ashley says. So, he just waited to see whether his name would be called.
As surprising as the achievement was for the 24-year-old, others weren’t so surprised. The first time director Adolf Alix Jr. worked with Ashley was in 2022, on the drama series “The Fake Life,” and he couldn’t be prouder of how much the actor has grown since.
“Ang layo na ng narating niya,” he tells Lifestyle Inquirer. “I’m glad na nare-recognize na siya as an actor because I have always seen promise in him.”
Eager to learn
Alix always found Ashley to be someone genuinely interested in the craft. But he was younger then, and sometimes, young people do as young people do—“naglalaro.” Yet once the cameras were rolling, he delivered what was asked of him. “Sabi ko sa kanya, if he’s really serious about pushing himself, mag-aral pa siya kasi sayang ang opportunities,” he says.
And he could see that Ashley took his words to heart. “He grew more eager to learn at ‘di niya kinakahon ang sarili niya,” the director says. “He would always ask if he did okay, or if there was anything he could improve. I think that’s the best trait any actor could have.”
This time, they reunite for Ashley’s first project in a lead role, the afternoon series “Delivery Boi.” While Alix knows that Ashley will have the heavy dramatic moments down pat, the challenge will be weaving in comedy—a genre the actor isn’t yet used to.
“Comedy is difficult, especially finding the right balance between being energetic and over the top. ‘Di pa siya sanay, but unti-unti, nagagamay,” Alix says, adding that working with actors well-versed in comedy like Meryll Soriano, Keempee de Leon, Eric Quizon, and Mikoy Morales dials up the challenge a notch. “He has to keep up with them while trying to find his own style of comedy.”
In any case, Ashley sees the show as an opportunity to prove his versatility. “I hope I get to show a side of me na medyo kwela rin,” he says.
Work, work, work
In “Delivery Boi,” which airs weekdays on GMA Network starting Oct. 19, Ashley plays Boi, a delivery rider trying to support his family and make ends meet—and ultimately find his biological father.
He learns many of his life lessons on the streets. His dyslexia can make navigating the city a struggle, and he sometimes gets addresses wrong. Still, he puts his helmet on, and as he meets new people, he unwittingly changes their lives with his warmth and positive outlook. Here, Salamanca plays his love interest.
“Minsan naja-judge natin sila if we don’t get our orders right away. But we don’t always know their struggles on the road. Minsan nai-scam sila at sila ang nagbabayad no’n,” Alix says. “The series hopes to show that side of these workers—that they’re humans, too, with problems of their own.”
The story also shows the realities of hustle culture and how it fuels competition. “Sa kahit anong trabaho, ‘di maiiwasan na gusto mong—at kailangan mong—umangat at maging best,” says Ashley, who relates to his character’s devotion to his family. “‘Yong mga sacrifices, kusa kong binibigay kasi gusto ko silang mabigyan ng magandang buhay.”
True enough, despite his recent achievements, the idea of rewarding himself has yet to cross his mind. For now, it’s “work, work, work.” And with the Urian trophy, he has never been more inspired to take on more meaningful projects.
“Nangingibabaw ‘yong kagustuhan kong gumawa ng makabuluhang mga pelikula na mag-iiwan ng magandang aral sa mga Pilipino,” he says.
