There is a potent argument to suggest that what Alden Richards described as Pulang Araw’s “reality aspect” is the show’s most integral component, excellent acting and award-winning directorial feature aside.
It is also, according to National Artist Ricky Lee, a profound reminder that love can and will find a way to prevail even during the darkest times, as will be portrayed in the many strides and struggles of the show’s protagonists.
“Pulang Araw” is, after all, a fictional period drama, and so any attempt to dramatize parts of the country’s rich history is an inherently delicate step. In the same breath, that reality aspect is responsible for what it promises to be: the most important Philippine TV series in 2024.
MOST IMPORTANT SERIES IN 2024
One spoiler-free fact about GMA Network’s upcoming war-drama is that its storyline exists against a backdrop of a war-torn world order riddled with invasions and power struggles.
In particular, its time-place setting largely draws inspiration from the never-forgotten Japanese occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s.
National Artist for FIlm and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, who also serves as a story consultant for Pulang Araw, believes that the show demonstrates significance by way of extrapolation, delicately unravelling a dramatized edition of what Filipinos had to experience during that period.
“Even if hindi ganoon kalayo yung panahon ng Hapon, actually wala na tayong malinaw na konsepto ng mga nangyari [noon], so I think itong mga gantong show– pine-personalize nito, pinapakita nito yung kuwento ng nanay, ng kapatid, ng kaibigan, ng tatay sa backdrop ng pangyayari sa kasaysayan,” the legendary writer told GMA Regonal TV News.
“So mas pumapasok sa puso natin,” Lee added.
The award-winning screenwriter and journalist suggests that while Pulang Araw’s portrayal of misfortunes is a key eye-opener for younger generations to better understand Philippine history, it is equally impactful to obtain a sense of nationalism in the uprising and congregation of Filipinos during the war.
“Mahalagang malaman natin yung mga grim o malungkot at tragic na nangyari noon. Pero mas mahalagang malaman natin na yung mga Pilipino, buong sigla at buong enthusiasm yung passion nilang makipaglaban,” Lee noted.
“So hindi sya puro dark, kasi sa akin bright yun eh– na nagkaisa-isa sila. Nakipaglaban sila, hindi lamang para sa sarili o pamilya, kundi para sa ibang tao,” he reminded.
LOVE AMIDST DARK DAYS
Pulang Araw’s well-received trailer, which racked up more than five million social media views in less than a day, already provided a conceptual glimpse of who the main cast are going to play, and the impending conflicts derived from their storified tendencies.
The promise in the characters, who will be portrayed by the powerhouse quartet of Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, and David Licauco, rests in the story’s unique ability to weave together multiracial personality nuances– something Lee considers as one of the show’s strong upsides.
“Isa ring magandang aspeto yung ipinapakita na maski sa panahon ng giyera na naglalabanan, nanaig pa rin yung love, yung pagmamahal na siyang ipo-portray nitong characters kasi multiracial nga yung kuwento,” he explained.
In the wake of a ravaging Philippines following the Japanese invasion, four childhood friends in Eduardo (Richards), Teresita (Lopez), Adelina (Forteza), and HIroshi (Licauco) find themselves in a complex battle for love, loyalty, and freedom.
Lee believes in the power and importance of reminders. Pulang Araw, he supposes, reminds us of our Filipino-ness as it creatively presents both informative and inspirational bits and pieces.
“I think mahalaga na lagi tayong mapapaalahanan na Pilipino tayo. Yung feeling mo na pagiging Pinoy ay lalong titingkad o lalong lalabas pagdating ng mga situation na ganito, katulad ng ipinoportray nitong show.”
Catch this year’s biggest story of every Filipino family, “Pulang Araw,” based on the original concept of Head Writer Suzette Doctolero and under the helm of esteemed director Dominic C. Zapata.
“Pulang Araw” playing on Netflix starting July 26 and airing on GMA Network on July 29.
