Sanya Lopez, Ashley Ortega visit comfort women ahead of 'Pulang Araw'

Sanya Lopez and Ashley Ortega turned emotional during their visit to two of the country’s living comfort women.

According to Nelson Canlas’ report on “24 Oras,” Thursday, the “Pulang Araw” stars had the chance to listen to Lola Estrelita Dy and Lola Narcisa Claveria’s stories with the help of the group Lila Pilipina.

The elderly women recalled the sufferings they endured during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines.

“Umiiyak na lang ako. Tinatakpan ko na lang ang mata ko kasi naaalala ko ang sinabi ng babae na kung lumaban ako, mapapatay ako,” Lola Estrelita said.

“11 to 12 years old ako nakaranas ako ng hindi tama sa sarili ko. Kaya sa ngayon, nakikita ko ang mga kabataan, masaya sila. Sabi ko, sana kung ganyan ang inabot ko nung panahon pa namin, nagsaya din ako katulad nila. Pero hanggang tumanda ako, dala-dala ko ang trauma ko,” Lola Narcisa said.

Sanya and Ashley couldn’t help but feel emotional upon hearing their stories, saying they learned a lot from them.

“Natutunan ko ‘yung tapang, lakas ng loob, ‘yung faith nila na makakalagpas sila dun sa buhay na meron sila,” Sanya said, holding her tears back. “Bumilib talaga ako sa kanila na grabe yung naranasan nila.”

“Na-realize ko po na napakaswerte po talaga ng generation namin sa ngayon. Sorry, ‘di ko napigilan. Isa sa greatest lesson is dapat sa mga kabataan ngayon, maging grateful kayo dahil napakaswerte natin ngayon,” Ashley said.

Sanya and Ashley are set to star in “Pulang Araw,” which will follow the story of the events that happened during the Japanese occupation era and World War II in our country.

“Pag-aaralan ko po nang mabuti and itong character ko, itong show na ito, ibibigay ko ang lahat kasi para po ito sa lahat ng comfort women noong World War II,” Ashley said.

“Sabi ako lang daw ‘yung nagpapasaya sa kanya tsaka ako lang daw ‘yung pinapanood niya talaga sa lahat kaya mas lalo kong minahal yung trabaho ko. Sabi ko kay nanay, ‘Opo, nay, ‘wag po kayong mag-alala, babalik po ako sa TV.’ Sabi ko sa kaniya, para sa inyo lalo na itong trabahong ito, ide-dedicate ko sa lahat ng mga comfort women,” Sanya said.

The series will also star Barbie Forteza, David Licauco, and Alden Richards. More actors include Angelu De Leon, Epy Quizon, Rochelle Pangilinan, and Aidan Veneracion, among others.

Earlier, Barbie and Sanya shared that they were taking tap dancing lessons in preparation for the project. They will play the roles of half-sisters and bodabil stars Adelina and Teresita.

—Carby Basina/CACM, GMA Integrated News