'Pulang Araw' cast shares their favorite parts about playing their characters

“Pulang Araw” is almost here, and the anticipation is an all-time high.

GMA News Online was among those who visited the cast and crew on set in Sampaloc, Manila, and was able to catch up with the lead cast: Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, David Licauco, and Alden Richards.

As the series promises to be a telling of Philippine war stories, we asked the stars about their favorite parts about playing their characters and being on set.

“I think 'yung dresses ko,” Barbie said with a laugh. “Lagi kong sinasabi sa stylist ko, gustong gusto ko ‘yung mga dress ni Adelina, very Barbie din siya talaga.”

The Kapuso Primetime Princess added that aside from that, she enjoys bonding with the cast and crew on set, especially with series director Dominic Zapata.

“Since he’s the captain of the ship, siya ‘yung talagang magtitimpla ng buong mood sa set. So given na mabigat ‘yung storya namin, he keeps things light off-cam which is good and helpful for all of us.”

David also said that he enjoys dressing up in 1940s-inspired looks as Hiroshi.

“Feeling ano ako, makaluma," he said.

He added that he likes being with the production as they are the same team behind “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”

“I would say mas kalmado ako dito. Dahil usually kapag nasa taping medyo mas ano ako, anxious kasi ang daming kailangan gawin, there’s so many people,” the Pambansang Ginoo said, adding that he is introverted and shy. “Pero here, I would say na comfortable ako.”

For Sanya, she said that her most memorable moment would be the tap dancing lessons and performances with Barbie. Her her role as Teresita is her most challenging one yet due to this, she added.

“’Yun talaga ‘yung muntik ko nang sukuan,” the actress said. “’Pag nagke-kwento nga ako, parang mas gusto ko nalang gumyera. Sasama nalang ako sa giyera kesa magsayaw. Ganun ‘yung feeling niya."

“Dito ‘ko na-test eh. Yung sayaw, hindi ka pwedeng bastang marunong ka lang sumayaw,” Sanya added. “Hindi din kasi siya normal na sayaw na pwede mo siyang dayain or mag-adlib kapag may nakalimutan ka. Lalo na at magkasama kami ni Barbie dito, importante sana na magkasabay kami.”

However, the First Lady of Primetime added that the dancing scenes eventually became really fun to do.

She also teased, “Naging singer kami nang ‘di oras.”

“Kailangan alam mo lahat. Marunong kang kumanta, marunong kang sumayaw. Marunong kang sumabak sa giyera,” she added.

Lastly, for Alden, it is “very fulfilling and rewarding” to tell the realities of World War II in the Philippines, and to share what Filipinos had to go through to achieve freedom.

“First time kong makagawa ng project na may emotional impact after a certain scene,” he said, adding that he was specifically emotional when shooting torture scenes from when the Japanese occupied the Philippines.

“There’s a lot of inhumane acts that was committed during that time and parang naisip ko na I’m very grateful. I don’t know, baka ‘di lang kinekwento ng mga lolo’t lola ko sa ‘kin, but what if na-experience nila ‘yun, ‘yung ganung klaseng pagyurak sa kanilang pagkatao,” Asia’s Multimedia Star added.

“Pulang Araw” traces the intertwined lives of four childhood friends: Adelina (Barbie), Teresita (Sanya), Hiroshi (David), and Eduardo (Alden). As war ravages their homeland and Japanese forces occupy the Philippines, their dreams, friendships, and loyalties are tested, leading them on a journey of self-discovery and resilience.  

More cast members include Dennis Trillo in his first major kontrabida role, as well as Rhian Ramos.

“Pulang Araw,” is coming to Netflix on July 26 and GMA Prime beginning July 29. —JCB, GMA Integrated News