In the new role as White Castle Whisky’s 2026 calendar girl, Ashley Rivera, also known as Petra Mahalimuyak, aspires to promote body positivity.

“Buti na lang kahit hindi ako maka-prepare the way I wanted to, nakita pa rin na very sexy,” Rivera remarked during a Friday interview in Quezon City.

Despite the pressure from social media, she continued, she accepts her body for what it is. “Alam ko mga netizens gusto ng mas payat,” she remarked. “Ako, I embrace my curvatures. Malaman ako pero palaban. Iba-iba tayo eh, all shapes and sizes. It is about confidence.”

Five years ago, Rivera casually revealed on her podcast that she was inspired by Carmi Martin’s layout and wanted to be a White Castle Whisky calendar lady. She had no idea the moment would later lead to her own stint.

She recalled, “I’m really happy because i was not expecting anything. It was said lightly, wouldn’t it be fun. Hindi siya parinig. But since I did not have that plan of purpose, I think mas na-feel nila iIgenuinely wanted it. It was nice napakingan nila,”

The power of manifestation was another topic Rivera considered. She said, “Ito naging prime example ng manifestation. Manifestation would only be successful if you truly believe you deserve it. Even if say mina-manifest mo, if may doubt ka, ‘di mo makuluha. But I guess the universe knew how much I wanted it. The universe gave it like a gift,”

For Rivera, an opportunity is a platform to inspire self-love rather than merely a calendar feature.

She reasoned, “I am not taking it for granted, I am really enjoying it,”

The internet celebrity also recalled how she felt when she heard the news.

She said, “When I found out, nagulat ako. Humabol pa. Then they started sharing the storyboard, the layout. I was so happy. Ang sosyal ,nasa ranch kami, very classic,”