Aga and Charlene rally behind Atasha amid criticism

Atasha Muhlach has the unwavering support of her parents, Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, as she deals with criticism surrounding her portrayal of Annie Batungbakal in the musical Bongga Ka Day!

For Aga and Charlene, the negative comments are secondary to what they have personally witnessed — the long hours, preparation and dedication their daughter has invested in the production.

Aga, who has spent decades navigating the pressures of the entertainment industry, believes criticism is something performers will inevitably encounter, especially when taking on high-profile projects.

The veteran actor admitted that he had not personally read the negative comments directed at Atasha, although he had been told about them. What mattered more to him was seeing the effort his daughter put into preparing for the show.

“I didn’t actually read any of them. I was only told about them. But I saw my daughter. I saw what she went through for this project,” Aga shared.

Drawing from his own experiences in show business, Aga reminded Atasha that negativity will always exist and that she should not allow it to overshadow an important opportunity in her career.

“I told her that this is really how it is. When you have a major project, there will always be people who become envious. That never disappears in this industry. It never disappears from the world,” he said.

Instead of paying attention to her detractors, Aga encouraged his daughter to concentrate on her work and enjoy every moment of the experience.

“Just work and have fun. Let them be. Haters are going to hate,” Aga said.

His advice, however, went beyond simply learning how to handle criticism. As a father, Aga also reminded Atasha to remain grounded and protect herself emotionally amid the pressures of being in the public eye.

“Just be nice and take care of what’s inside your heart,” he added.

Charlene, meanwhile, expressed immense pride in seeing Atasha embrace the challenges of musical theater with determination.

After witnessing the preparation that went into the successful first run of Bongga Ka Day!, Charlene said she understood just how much the project meant to her daughter.

“I saw all the hard work she went through, the preparation for the show, the love and passion that she put into this project, and the family that they created. It just warms my heart,” Charlene shared.

For Charlene, the finished performance represented much more than what audiences saw onstage. Behind it were countless hours of rehearsals, discipline, and Atasha’s willingness to keep improving despite the criticism surrounding her performance.

As Atasha continues to establish her own identity in entertainment, her parents remain firmly behind her  —  not merely as two personalities who understand the realities of show business, but as a mother and father who have witnessed the work their daughter puts in when the cameras are gone.

Their message to Atasha is clear: Continue doing the work, remain passionate and kind, protect your heart, and never allow criticism to take away the joy of pursuing something you love.