Home Features Flying High on Cloud 9: The Many Worlds of Ashley Cloud S. Garcia

Flying High on Cloud 9: The Many Worlds of Ashley Cloud S. Garcia

By Diana Lou Gosamo / Seilix

Published: Jan 5, 2026

By Diana Lou Gosamo / Seilix

Published: Jan 5, 2026

Ashley Cloud S. Garcia lives a life built on contrast—and harmony. At 27, she holds a full-time role as a Japanese–English technical translator for an architecture company, working within the exactness of language, plans, and deadlines. It’s serious, structured work that demands patience and clarity. Yet once the workday ends, Ashley steps into a completely different rhythm—one filled with music, games, rehearsals, and late-night conversations about events still waiting to happen.

Rather than seeing these worlds as separate, she lets them support each other. “My work is a way to fund my hobbies,” she says, grounding creativity in sustainability. It’s a mindset that allows her to stay independent, intentional, and deeply present in everything she does outside of work.

Where the Love for Idols Began

Long before Ashley ever stood onstage, she was already listening closely. Growing up surrounded by Japanese dramas and anime, she found herself especially drawn to their theme songs—openings and endings that carried emotion just as strongly as the stories themselves. Groups like Arashi, whose music framed shows like Hanayori Dango, alongside Morning Musume and AKB48, shaped her understanding of what idols could be: storytellers, mood-setters, emotional bridges between fiction and real life.

That influence deepened during her high school years. After graduating, Ashley began posting dance covers of Japanese songs on YouTube, not with a grand plan, but with genuine love for the music. When those videos began to gain attention, it quietly changed her perspective. Being an idol didn’t feel distant anymore—it felt achievable.

That belief carried her into the auditions for MNL48, a chapter that taught her discipline, performance presence, and what it meant to pursue something seriously. But it also helped her realize an important truth: passion thrives best when it’s paired with creative freedom.

Finding Her Own Definition of Being an Idol

After stepping away from MNL48, Ashley didn’t abandon the idol path, she reshaped it. Rather than following a traditional structure, she chose to define what being an idol meant on her own terms, guided by creative freedom and community rather than obligation.

That mindset led to the creation of Day Night Explorers (DNE). What began as a simple plan to make song covers with a fellow former MNL48 member slowly grew as more friends joined. Over time, DNE evolved into a community-first collective rather than a fixed idol group. Its structure is intentionally open, with no permanent members, welcoming anyone who loves music, gaming, and performance.

Ashley describes herself as reserved offstage—observant, quiet, and reflective. But when she performs, that stillness sharpens into focus and intensity. Onstage, she gives everything she has. She proudly calls herself an idol hobbyist, performing not out of expectation, but out of genuine love. That freedom keeps her grounded, prevents burnout, and makes every appearance feel intentional.

The name Day Night Explorers reflects the group’s dual spirit. Day focuses on music, performances, and vlogs, while Night leans into gaming content and competitive play. Today, the DNE community has grown to more than a hundred members, built on friendship, collaboration, and mutual respect.

Her catchphrase, “Fly High on Cloud 9,” captures this philosophy perfectly. It isn’t about chasing scale or spotlight—it’s about choosing joy and creating spaces where others can rise alongside her.

Gaming, Competition, and Quiet Courage

Gaming is another space where Ashley explores identity and growth. She plays Valorant most often, followed by Tekken and Street Fighter 6, and DNE even has its own Tekken Team. Games, for her, are about community, discipline, and learning to take up space.

Her first Tekken tournament experience was challenging. Being the only woman in the room made her feel out of place, and that discomfort lingered. But the landscape is changing. With a growing female presence in the fighting game community, Ashley feels more open to returning—especially if she has the chance to train alongside other women.

While she admits she hasn’t been able to dedicate enough time to training for Tekken 8, having spent more time in the Tekken 7 era, her curiosity remains. The desire to grow is still there, waiting for the right moment.

Why Building Events Matters More Than the Spotlight

While Ashley loves performing, what fulfills her most happens behind the scenes. Above all, she’s proud of the events she’s helped create—moments where people gather, connect, and leave feeling like they were part of something meaningful. Hearing someone say they enjoyed an event she organized means more to her than applause onstage.

Through DNE, Ashley has played key roles in multiple community-driven events:

DNE Dash In, an invitational Tekken 8 team battle inspired by Sajam Slam, where she served as Main Organizer and Tour Producer.
Philia’s FLEX Tournament, a multi-game invitational featuring Valorant, 2XKO, and Fall Guys, created for charity as part of Philia’s PlayFest.
RESBAK, a free Tekken 7 tournament with 64 competitive players, co-organized to make competition more accessible.

For Ashley, organizing is another form of expression, the one that centers people rather than performance.

Philia’s PlayFest and Collective Impact

Everything Ashley had learned across idol work, gaming, and event organization came together during Philia’s PlayFest—a 48-hour charity livestream held simultaneously in the Philippines and Belgium in support of Philia Haven. Ashley was personally invited to participate, and the timing felt natural. DNE had already hosted charity streams for causes like disaster relief and animal welfare, making PlayFest a clear extension of the community’s values.

When PlayFest became her priority, Ashley made deliberate choices. She stepped back from other commitments, focusing her energy where it mattered most. Balancing everything came down to intention—knowing when to say no and trusting her community. Friends handled technical aspects, teammates shared performance insights, and collaborators helped carry the workload.

This collective effort paid off. With support from CIIT during Campus PlayFest, the event raised over ₱50,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, contributing to a €20,000 global total. While the onsite portion was invite-only due to venue limitations, Ashley hopes future editions can expand further and reach wider audiences.

More than the numbers, the experience reshaped how Ashley sees herself. Events like PlayFest strengthened her confidence and affirmed her role as a leader, someone capable of managing big pictures without losing sight of the people inside them.

Still Flying Forward

Looking ahead, Ashley hopes for more chances to perform, create, and organize events that bring people together. She isn’t rushing toward a single definition of success.

If you want to understand Ashley Cloud S. Garcia, look at the spaces she builds and the communities she nurtures. Cloud 9 is not a place she escapes to. It is something she creates and invites others to rise into with her.