Alden Richards Admits Letting Go of Character's Trauma in 'Pulang Araw' Was Challenging

By janimonow on July 9, 2024

Alden Richards has opened up about the difficulty of detaching from the intense emotions and experiences of his character in the highly anticipated drama "Pulang Araw." At the press conference in Makati City, Alden shared that the torture scenes, in particular, were hard to shake off despite his personal preparations.

"'Pulang Araw' has a reality aspect; it really happened. So, what was hard for me during that time was how to separate from the trauma," Alden explained.

In "Pulang Araw," Asia's Multimedia Star portrays Eduardo, a Filipino-American guerilla fighter during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. Eduardo is also the caring older half-brother of Adelina, played by Barbie Forteza. The realistic set-up, which included a concentration camp dungeon built in Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, added to the challenge. Alden described the set as dark and smoke-filled, with actors depicting the brutal torture Filipinos endured at the hands of the Japanese.

"It's very disturbing," Alden admitted. "Usually, I can switch off, not carrying the character after a taping or shooting day. But with 'Pulang Araw,' my mind kept questioning, repeating, reminding me of the hardships our fellow Filipinos endured. It's very emotional."

This experience was a first for Alden, who noted that he had never felt such a profound connection to a role before. He emphasized the importance of "Pulang Araw" in telling the untold legacy of Filipinos during World War II, recognizing the struggles and sacrifices of the older generation.

"Pulang Araw" follows the intertwined lives of four childhood friends: Adelina (Barbie), Teresita (Sanya Lopez), Hiroshi (David Licauco), and Eduardo (Alden). As their homeland is ravaged by war and occupied by Japanese forces, their dreams, friendships, and loyalties are put to the test, leading them on a journey of self-discovery and resilience.

The cast also features Dennis Trillo in his first major antagonist role, alongside Rhian Ramos. "Pulang Araw" will premiere on Netflix on July 26 and on GMA Prime starting July 29.