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Ashley Ortega on comfort woman role in 'Pulang Araw:' 'It's about time your story should be heard'
Ashley Ortega wrote a message for her character in "Pulang Araw."
The Sparkle actress portrays Sister Manuela Apolonio, a nun who becomes a comfort woman during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines.
On Instagram, Ashley told her character, "It would be my greatest honor and biggest responsibility to portray your narrative."
"It's about time your story should be heard," she added.
The actress added that "Pulang Araw" tackles the "momentous and pivotal" periods in Philippine history and that it is "not only a story of patriotism and sacrifice but also of love and courage."
"Let our portrayal be a reminder of our countrymen's potential for greatness and the painful battles they fought and endured to attain the freedom we now enjoy today," Ashley said.
"Laban lang, para sa Pilipinas!"
In preparation for her role, Ashley and her co-star Sanya Lopez visited comfort women to learn more about their experiences. The actresses turned emotional as the women recounted what happened to them.
"Comfort women" refers to the victims of sexual slavery practiced by the Japanese imperial army in countries like the Philippines, Korea, and China during World War II.
The few remaining Filipina survivors, who are in their late 80s or 90s, have been fighting for reparations from the Philippine and Japanese governments for decades.
Previously, some netizens were disappointed when Rochelle Pangilinan's lines in the "Pulang Araw" primer referring to comfort women received laugh reacts online.
"Pulang Araw" made a strong debut on Netflix on July 26 and trended on X (formerly Twitter) following the pilot episode's release. The series is on the no. 1 spot of the platform's list of "Top 10 TV Shows in the Philippines Today."
On television, "Pulang Araw" is now airing weeknights on GMA Prime at 8 p.m. after "24 Oras."
—Nika Roque/MGP, GMA Integrated News
