Barbie Forteza, David Licauco, Alden Richards, and Sanya Lopez share why Pulang Araw is integral to their work as artists
The first crossover Netflix-GMA series came to screens just last Friday. Chronicling the dark legacy of the Japanese rule and its long-tailed aftermath, Pulang Araw is a rich narrative that is at once a deeply felt epic, a history lesson, a portrait of cultural bigotry, a high-class soap opera, and a celebration of the Filipino indomitability. Awash in big emotions, this is not a series shy about examining one of the deepest wounds in Philippine history. Its material and cast, the show’s spine and beating heart respectively, create a vast, sumptuous drama of the kind scarcely made anymore. The strong ensemble cast Barbie Forteza, David Licauco, Alden Richards tell MEGA Entertainment why, despite a war epic being a shop-worn genre, they said yes to Pulang Araw.
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From Script to Shooting
Period films require a delicateness to them that other genres do not; they bring to life eras no longer lived with a startling dedication to detail. Though some points are fictional, Pulang Araw’s essense is heavy, illustrious, thoughtful, and deeply researched—it is the truthful narrative of Filipinos. It is honest about the Japanese occupation. All the characters do not know what tomorrow brings, as Sanya Lopez declares, “Pulang Araw will shed light on the resiliency of the Filipinos during a time of war. Wala tayong alam kung mamamatay ba o mabubuhay tayo sa mga kamay ng Hapon. Mayaman, mahirap—lahat tayo pantay-pantay.”
A humanizing chronicle of the Filipinos who survived in that time, the series is meant to be a rich tribute to a people that history seems intent on erasing.
“It’s a period project,” Alden Richards, veteran actor who plays the valiant Eduardo, says. “Maraming bagay ang hindi ginagawa ngayon na kailangan namin i-relive because of our roles—and it’s challenging.”
And while it’s not Barbie and David’s first time working on a period piece, having starred in Maria Clara at Ibarra, they navigate period pictures with an ease equal to those of the experience of their older co-actors.
David, who steps into the shoes of the Japanese Hiroshi, weighs in and says, “1940s pa ‘yong nangyayari, so we really had to research and live out as actors na maipakita sa audience that it’s also 1940s. Napakaganda ng script, and with the help of my co-actors, gumaganda rin ang kalabasan.”
Pulang Araw is a record of the forgotten lives of the Filipino survivors—and the weaving of the story needs great care, careful direction, and effortless collaboration. Barbie, who plays Adelina, reveals, “From reading the script to taking it to the set, there’s a lot of collaboration between the actors, directors, and the crew. Kaya ang rich lagi ng eksena, it’s meaningful…lahat ng shots may narrative.”
While the show is yet to prove its mettle as it just began its liftoff on Netflix, the success relies on many factors: the production, the story, and the actors’ abilities to embody historical characters with authenticity and depth. Some performers possess a unique skill and talent to blend into the period settings and make the past feel vividly present. At present, it seems that Barbie, David, Alden, and Sanya are those performers.
Reading and Living History
The story the show tells is emotion, family, love, and survival against the backdrop of history. The stakes here cut to the heart of what Pulang Araw is about—what it means to live in your home, and have that be occupied by someone else.
Sanya, who takes on the role of Teresita, shares, “This is not something we do every day. ‘Yong ayos pa lang namin, ‘yong itsura pa lang namin, dapat maramdaman ng lahat na nando’n din sila sa period na ‘yon.”
Abandoning their modern day images, the cast steps into a rich historical setting—and then also covers new acting terrain in intricate costume work to deliver the compelling story.
Sanya says, “Nag-iiba ako ng personality kapag suot ko na ang costume—pumapasok na ako sa character. Tapos binabasa ko rin ‘yong script araw-araw—‘pag hinihimay ko kasi siya, mas lalong lumalalim pagkakakilala ko sa kanya.”
Barbie adds, “Ibang-iba sa normal ang pananamit namin at itsura. Nagiging madali para samin na mag-characterize.”
As for Alden and David, despite having little similarities with their characters, describe the experience as the “beauty of acting.” “You get to live moments of your life far away from your unique self,” Alden says.
The Why of the Actors
Pulang Araw, a show with a groundbreaking vision of Philippine history in both its cruelty and triumph, will be remembered as a television landmark. In the significance of this project added to the artists’ rosters, they tell MEGA Entertainment their reasons for their immediate yeses.
For Sanya, it’s about respecting and appreciating the Philippines’ rich history: “Nakakatuwa na mabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makasama sa proyekto na sa mga susunod na henerasyon ay mahalaga pa rin. Alam natin na ‘pag napanood nila ‘to, mababalikan nila ang history na hindi natin maaring kalimutan. Utang natin sa kanila kung bakit mayro’n tayong ganitong kalayaan.”
During the press conference, Alden adds, “Bakit hindi natin ‘to i-kwento? Parang nakalimutan na natin magbalik-tanaw. Sino ba ang tumulong sa atin para makamit ang kalayaan na mayroon tayo ngayon? ‘Yong mga kwento ng mga lolo at lola natin sa ‘tin ay mabibigyan ng biswal at larawan sa pamamagitan ng proyektong ito. While doing it, it makes me even more proud to be Filipino.”
The actor also harks back on his responsibility as an artist and a figure in entertainment: “We are in this position to spread knowledge; we try to use this platform to educate people in the things we do. This is the right way to use our platform as artists, and nakakatuwa dahil yung mga projects na ginagawa namin is very much relevant right now.”
GMA’s Primetime Princess shares that it’s an honor to be a part of this project, as it will still be relevant for future generations. Lastly, for David, the history that Pulang Araw explores is enough of a reason. “I’m super proud and honored because it’s not just entertainment, it’s also history. We are representing Filipinos through our work. Napakaganda maging parte ng teleserye na marami kang matututunan.”
Photos and Featured Image: NETFLIX, JANRA (Via Instagram)
