Value of freedom.
Hit show Pulang Araw’s co-writer Anna Aleta Nadela capsulizes this as the show’s emphasis during the PUP leg of the series’ School Tour on Tuesday, November 19, at the Tanghalang PUP in Manila.
Nadela, along with director Dominic Zapata and executive producer Rosie Lyn Atienza, shares how the showrunner navigated history and depicted the program with authenticity through interviews with World War 2 survivors and comfort women.
“Ang pinakatumatak sa akin, ‘yong mga sinabi nina Lola Isang (Narcisa Claveria) na fourteen pa lang siya, kinuha na siya ng mga hapon–nawala sa kaniya ‘yong kabataan niya, nawala sa kanya ‘yong freedom. ‘Pag nakakakita siya ngayon ng kabataan, ang naiisip niya palagi, ‘Ano kaya kung ako din, nasubukan ko ‘yong freedom na tinatamasa ng kabataan ngayon?’”
“Kasi she was robbed of her youth–of the freedom to be happy, to pursue ‘yong pag-aaral niya. Lahat ‘yon, natigil because of the war,” Nadela said.
Zapata also shared tips on directing and how production design, headed by Edgar Martin Littaua, adds to the impact and accuracy of the show.
“Be willing to get down and dirty to get what you want to be able to tell your story. [...] Okay lang sa ‘min mapuyat. Okay lang sa ’min mawasak. Ang prayoridad is to tell a story. We are communicators,” Zapata added.
Behind the mask
Casts of the show Dennis Trillo, Rochelle Pangilinan, Ashley Ortega, and Mikoy Morales also highlighted their preparation for their roles and how it shaped their performance.
Pangilinan’s portrayal of Amalia Dimalanta-Torres, a comfort woman during the Japanese occupation, challenged her faith in and out of the character.
“Kapag nasa sitwasyon ka ni Amalia, ginagamit ka nang gan’on, ginagawa ka pang katulong sa umaga [at] pinaglalaba ka ng damit, magkakaroon ka pa ba ng faith kay God? [...] Subok na subok sa akin noon ‘yong faith,” she added.
Ortega, who played Sister Manuela Apolonio, a nun who was also turned into a comfort woman, dedicates her role to the women exploited by the occupation.
“I’m really happy kasi ‘yong kabataan ngayon, mas nagiging relevant ‘yong story ng mga comfort women [at] mas nalalaman ng mga tao ‘yong totoong nangyayari. [...] I told myself that I really have to give justice to my character,” Ortega shared.
Trillo then shared the struggles of learning the Japanese language as Yuta Saitoh, a Japanese Imperial officer, and how his character in the film “Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita,” which was also set during WW2-stricken Philippines, prepared him for the role.
“Kaya pinagtulungan namin ni Direk buuin ‘yong character para mas maramdaman ng mga Pilipino… para mapagdaanan ‘yong paghihirap na ginawa nila doon sa Pulang Araw,” Trillo said.
What’s next?
When asked about the potential for other Filipino historical dramas, Zapata confirmed that he had discussed with the show’s head writer Suzette Doctolero possible themes involving stories during former president Ferdinand E. Marcos’ martial law.
“We are a very reactive culture. We are not a planning culture–that means you don’t look at your archives, you don’t look at your history–hindi tayo gan’on. So there are times that we should temper our being reactive because it’s not the right moment to. So bibigyan natin ng tamang tiyempo ‘yan. Yes, these are stories that we have to tell,” he answered.
Showcased by the GMA Entertainment Group, the Pulang Araw School Tour is in collaboration with the PUP Department of Broadcast Communication and the PUP BroadCircle.
The tour had previously stopped by other universities including Miriam College, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, and University of Sto. Tomas (UST) - Angelicum College.
Article: Randolf Maala-Resueño
Graphics: Kent Bico
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