photo of ASHLEY & XIAN with AMY AUSTRIA, TONTON GUTIERREZ & LITO PIMENTEL
ASHLEY ORTEGA played one of the leads in the hit GMA primetime crime-mystery drama, “Widow’s Web”.
She is now given the chance to star solo in a new series, “Hearts on Ice”, where she is paired with former Kapamilya actor, Xian Lim.
The show will focus on figure skating and Ashley will be playing the role of Ponggay, a top figure skater.
She has been training for this role for six months now.
Only a few people know that Ashley used to be a champion figure skater, but she stopped when she joined showbiz and forayed into acting four years ago.
“Figure skating is really my first love and it’s been my dream noon pa na, sana, gumawa ang GMA ng show on figure skating at heto nga, nagkatotoo na, so I’m very thankful to GMA,” she says,
“As soon as they told me about the project, bumalik na ako agad in my training as an ice skater to prepare for my role in ‘Hearts on Ice’.
"I want to really be all tuned up when I face the camera para hindi na kami mahirapan ng mga kasama ko.
"So far, I already got back my skills in doing spins and jumps on ice. I’m sure the viewers will find the show very entertaining.”
This is GMA-7’s second sports drama after “Bolera”, which is about billiards and which really rated very well. Figure skating is definitely a much more strenuous sport than playing billiards.
“But it’s not just about the sport of figure skating,” adds Ashley.
“In my role as Ponggay, I’d be going through a wide range of experiences and emotions and the show is also about family, friendship, love and having a tough fighting spirit to pursue your dreams.”
GMA has given her and Xian a powerhouse cast to support them, led by veteran stars Amy Austria, Rita Avila, Tonton Gutierrez and Lito Pimentel, along with Ina Feleo, Cheska Inigo, singer Ruiz Gomez and Sparkle’s fresh talents Kim Perez and Roxie Smith.
Also in the cast is real life figure skating champion Skye Chua in her first TV role.
This is directed by Dominic Zapata, who also helmed the successful sports drama, “Bolera”, and the current primetime hit, "Start Up PH".
Ashley has been training with her leading man, Xian Lim.
“It’s to my advantage that I really can skate and I’ve been doing it since I was a little girl,” she says.
“But si Xian, he really has to train from the start, lalo na about choreography on ice. It’s good na mabilis siyang matuto.”
“It’s not a picnic but I welcome the challenge of doing something new for the camera,” says Xian.
“I’ve played ice hockey before, but first time ko to do figure skating.
"And when I watch Ashley who already has a lot of experience on ice, I’m just amazed kasi sobrang galing niya sa ibabaw ng yelo.
"Hopefully, matapatan ko yun at nang hindi naman niya ako mapag-iwanan sa show.”