Barbie Forteza and Sanya Lopez say 'Pulang Araw' strengthened their relationship

Barbie Forteza and Sanya Lopez say that their sisterhood got stronger while working on “Pulang Araw.”

The two Kapuso stars actually play sisters on the show — Barbie as Adelina and Sanya as her older sister Teresita, both vaudeville stars and skilled tapped dancers.

In an interview with GMA News Online on the "Pulang Araw" set in Sampaloc, Manila, Barbie and Sanya said that they were already close friends in real life, but their relationship got stronger while working on the much-awaited series.

Barbie said that she and Sanya hadn’t worked together since the 2014 series, “The Half Sisters” but that they instantly hit it off on “Pulang Araw.”

“Ang saya kasi ‘yung unang eksena palang naming na mabigat, parang naramdaman ko kaagad ‘yung pagka ate niya sa ‘kin,” the Kapuso Primetime Princess said. “Ate ko kasi siya dito so naramdaman ko ‘yun sa the way niya ‘kong hawakan, yakapin, i-comfort, kausapin. ‘Yung warmth ng older sister, naramdaman ko kaagad sa kanya.”

“So I’m confident na magiging maganda rin ‘yung sister relationship namin dito,” she added.

Sanya likewise has nothing but kind words about Barbie and their relationship, even saying that she feels Barbie is more of an ate to her especially since they share the same tent.

“Tatanungin niya, ‘o, kumain ka na? Gusto mo ng ganito? Okay ka lang ba dun sa sayaw?’ Ganun rin siya, nag-aalala din siya,” Sanya told GMA News Online.

“Lagi siyang concerned din sa akin. And kung ako din, kung may mga napapansin ako sa kanya, same din naman sa kanya,” the First Lady of Primetime added. “Para kami talagang magkapatid.”

“Pulang Araw” traces the intertwined lives of four childhood friends: Adelina (Barbie), Teresita (Sanya), Hiroshi (David Licauco), and Eduardo (Alden Richards). 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