Ashley De Guzman is a British-Filipino actor, writer, and multidisciplinary creative based in London. She made her on-screen debut at just 19 in the hit series The Power, marking the beginning of a dynamic career in storytelling.
With a passion that extends beyond the screen, Ashley has also brought her creative vision to life behind the scenes, conceptualising campaigns for global brands like Nike, Spotify & THFC.
Blending words with purpose, her work reflects a commitment to authentic representation and bold, boundary-pushing creativity.
My inspiration comes from…
Anything and everything. A phrase I heard on the bus. A voice note from one of my friends. A memory I have from my childhood.
The Story…
Much of my childhood was spent in church, not the grand, traditional kind. Instead, church was a community center. Plastic chairs served as pews, and Ritz crackers with Ribena made up our communion. Though it feels like another lifetime, the stories from that time never left me.
These poems form part of a secret collection that has finally made its way out of my notes app. Titled “God Owns a Microwave,” this body of work explores the human side of a world that once felt distant and otherworldly.
I don’t aim to tell these stories as gospel. Rather, I approach them like literature, stripping away the myth and seeking the pulse beneath. Nor are these characters saints or symbols; they are people—flawed, messy, and, above all, human.
Though I no longer attend church, the stories continue to visit me. And like an old childhood friend you’ve outgrown, I now meet them as honestly and as kindly as I can.
A Hidden Hero to Highlight…
Apo Whang-Od. The most badass tattoo artist in the Phillippines and is the whole reason why traditional Filipino tattooing remains alive to this day. I guarantee you she will be the most interesting name you'll ever google.
