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Metro x Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition: Will Ashley

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For the early viewers of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition, Will Ashley was a quiet presence in Kuya’s house in the beginning. He would often be spotted alone, staring into nothingness, being a good listener, and helping out with tasks, but was generally low-key. Either his depth finds comfort in silence amid a house filled with people, or he was being observant and adjusting.But as his journey in PBB progressed and he found himself connecting with his different duos, Will gradually lowered his walls and started opening up to reveal the loud, naughty, and playful side of him. He was quite a surprise. How could a shy, introverted, and quiet housemate eventually turn into the “Nation’s Son“ and, to most housemates, the “Kaldag King?“The 22-year-old Kapuso actor, having spent 11 years in the entertainment industry, is actually seasoned. He started as a child actor, appearing on various commercials as well as teleseryes like Villa Quintana and Niňo. He also voiced the role of Ash in the Filipino dub of Pokémon the Series: XYZ. As he transitioned into a young adult, he scored roles in the GMA series Prima Donnas, The Fake Life, Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters, and Prinsesa ng City Jail.He was notably cast in the Viu and ABS-CBN-GMA drama collaboration Unbreak My Heart as the romantic interest of fellow PBB housemate Bianca De Vera and in the Marian Rivera-led film Balota.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753831099752metro exclusive pbb celeb collab will ashley embed 1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Will Ashley, as photographed by Dix Perez</div><div> </div>Though his achievements in the industry appear steady, Will joined PBB for important reasons.“I was motivated to join for my family. Kasi sila talaga ‘yung number one supporter ko ever since nag-start ako sa showbusiness. Siguro for myself na rin because I&#x27;ve been in the industry for 11 years. Gusto ko pong maka-experience ng mga bagong bagay sa aking buhay,” Will shared.Like the other housemates, it took some time for Will to adjust to the PBB environment.“Biggest adjustment na hinarap ko po was &#x27;yung pakikipag-connect talaga. Kasi sobrang introvert ako sa labas e. Mahirap po sa akin talaga magbaba ng walls ko. Mahirap ako mag-trust sa mga tao kasi natatakot po ako. &#x27;Yun po iyong pinakahirapan ako na medyo tumagal sa akin bago ako nakapag-warm up talaga,” he confessed.As PBB continued to test everyone’s strength and resiliency with various tasks and challenges, the more Will struggled against his own self.“Siguro &#x27;yung biggest challenge na na-experience ko po sa loob ng Bahay was kalabanin &#x27;yung utak ko. Kasi wala kaming ibang bagay na matatakbuhan kundi mga sarili namin o ‘yung isa&#x27;t-isa. Kadalasan po sa amin, lalo na ako, noong nandito sa labas, talagang mabilis akong ma-distract sa mga problema ko. Kaya naging malaking challenge sa akin na harapin at solusyonan na agad &#x27;yung problema ko which nakatulong naman din po na nadala ko rito sa labas ng Bahay,” Will noted, relaying the biggest challenge he had to face as a housemate.If there were challenges, there were rewarding moments inside the house that Will treasures.“Noong nakita ko &#x27;yung mom ko kasi ang tagal ko siyang hindi nakasama, nakita, at nakausap. To see her lang po was sobrang laking blessing po para sa akin. Talagang nabuhay ako. Nabawi &#x27;yung three months na hindi ko siya nakita,” Will said, referring to his mom’s visit as a reward when RaWi earned a Big 4 spot.His growth became evident as he slowly peeled off the layers he kept to protect himself, and basically just allowed himself to connect beautifully with his housemates. And then he just blossomed right in front of the viewers’ eyes, leading him to become a favorite and eventually earning him the new moniker “Nation’s Son” from his official PBB title “Ang Mama’s Dreambae ng Cavite.”When asked about the celebrity houseguests’ influence on him, Will happily shared, “Si Ate Ivana [Alawi] &#x27;yung nakatulong sa akin talaga para mag-warm up at makipag-connect sa housemates. Grabe rin po &#x27;yung naibigay na confidence sa akin ng BINI [Jhoanna and Stacey]. Doon din po nag-start kung bakit ako naging makulit sa loob ng Bahay. Gumaan po talaga ang pakiramdam ko kasi pina-feel nila na welcome ako and lahat ng nafi-feel ko is valid and lahat p&#x27;wede kong gawin without judgment. At saka &#x27;yung kay Donny [Pangilinan] kasi grabe rin po &#x27;yung dinala niya sa amin sa loob galing sa mga mahal namin sa buhay at naibigay niya sa amin.” <div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753831755149metro exclusive pbb celeb collab will ashley embed 3.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/> On Will: Pullover by Uniqlo, long-sleeved shirt and trousers both by H&amp;M</div><div> </div>In his PBB journey, it’s in the little things he did that people saw how he slowly came out of his shell: he would exchange meaningful conversations with his RaWi duo Ralph De Leon; told his fellow Kapuso AZ Martinez that he’s proud of her growth; made plans to go out with Esnyr, BINI Jhoanna and Stacey, and all the other housemates; bonded and went crazy with his PDG (Pamilya De Guzman) friends; deeply connected in loud and quiet moments with RAWR (River Joseph, AZ Martinez and Ralph); and even had a heart-to-heart talk with Bianca De Vera (a housemate he shared history with, telling her that he would respect whatever choices she would make).When asked about the biggest lesson he learned from his stay in PBB house, he looked back on his colorful journey.“To not live life na may regrets. Huwag po talaga mabuhay na may regrets kasi mula bata po ako, sobrang mahiyain ako at &#x27;yung pagiging mahiyain ko is stopping me from doing my best—my 100% best. Natutunan ko doon na ibigay lang nang ibigay agad lalo na if tama ‘yung ginagawa mo, alam mo sa sarili mo na wala kang naaapakang tao, or kilala mo ang sarili mo. Ibigay mo ‘yung 100% mo para wala kang regrets after,” he declared.From an introvert housemate to being half of the PBB: Celebrity Collab Edition’s Second Big Placer Duo, Will openly acknowledges how Kuya’s house changed him.“Sobrang laki po. Grabe. Kung nakikita niyo lang po before talaga na hindi po ako nakakausap, nasa isang tabi lang ako, ang confidence ko sa sarili ko was napakababa. And &#x27;yung values ko in life, napakarami kong natutunan sa loob ng Bahay na talagang nadala ko rito. Even the smallest things talaga ma-appreciate mo,” he thoughtfully said with a smile.Not only did the legendary Kuya’s house change his personality, but Will’s career is also experiencing a great turnaround in the outside world.“Mga guestings, kantahan, and more on entertainment po talaga,“ he said when asked about his career plans. “Gusto ko rin po mag-focus ulit at balikan ‘yung first love ko, acting. &#x27;Yun &#x27;yung isang bagay na na-miss ko talaga.”Will Ashley is set to appear as a law school student in the film Bar Boys 2.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753831842170metro exclusive pbb celeb collab will ashley embed 2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div>Photography by Dix PerezMetro head: Christina LopezSittings editors: Geolette Esguerra, Kate Paras-Santiago, Randz Manucom, and Grace Libero-CruzCreative director: Chookie CruzStylist: Edlene Cabral, assisted by Bullet ReyesMakeup artist/hairstylist: Aron Guevara and Chino ManiquizFashion associate: Carla BuyoEditorial assistants: Iya Baring and Krystel MatiasVideo producers: Giselle Interior and Tricia MatiasVideographer: Charisse Tinio&#x27;s NicePrint Photo teamArt director: Alfred AmadoShoot assistants: Danni Lagdameo, Mariana Xerez-Burgos, Sophia Ancheta, and Katrice CuasonSpecial thanks to Pinoy Big Brother, Marcus Vinuya, Patch Bungubung, Charina Fernandez, Pia Laurel, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center

Will Ashley surprised viewers with one of the biggest character developments in "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition."

Will Ashley surprised viewers with one of the biggest character developments in "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition."

Metro Exclusive: How 'PBB' Transformed Will Ashley From an Introvert Housemate to the 'Nation's Son'

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Metro Exclusive: How 'PBB' Transformed Will Ashley From an Introvert Housemate to the 'Nation's Son'

Grace Diez

Published Aug 01, 2025 12:10 PM PHT

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