The long wait is over! Last July 26, the much-anticipated historical drama series Pulang Araw premiered on Netflix Philippines, much to the delight of fans. If you’re curious about what the buzz is all about, here’s a quick (spoiler-free) review of the first episode. Take a look:

A story that tells the strength of Filipinos

Pulang Araw delves into the lives of Adelina Dela Cruz (Barbie Forteza), Eduardo Dela Cruz (Alden Richards), Teresita Borromeo (Sanya Lopez), and Hiroshi Tanaka (David Licauco). These childhood best friends face a test of their bonds and relationships with the arrival of the Japanese forces, a journey that will resonate with the audience on an emotional level.

Compelling characters

The first episode mainly centered on the lives of siblings Adelina and Eduardo with their mother, Fina (Rhian Ramos), particularly during their younger years. They’re far from the definition of a traditional family, with Adelina and Eduardo having different fathers — a setup frowned upon by Filipino conservative society.

However, their love for each other in the face of societal judgment makes them compelling characters. One episode in, and they’ve suffered a lot. You want to root for them and see them win.

Stunning visuals

Creating historical dramas, especially those that tackle our darkest moments, is particularly challenging because every detail must be accurate to faithfully depict the past. Kudos to Pulang Araw because the pilot episode was a visual treat. The creators put much effort into bringing the story to life, particularly the choice of settings and wardrobe.

Stellar acting performances

Pulang Araw boasts an ensemble cast, and as expected, Alden, Barbie, and Rhian delivered fantastic performances in the premiere. Are we even surprised? But personally, I thought that child actors Cassy Lavarias and Choco Maafi (who played the younger versions of Adelina and Eduardo, respectively) were the standouts of the pilot episode. It’s always heartbreaking to watch grief conveyed from the perspective of children.

Remarkable dialogue

Many Pinoy teleseryes have the characters casually switching between Tagalog and English. Pulang Araw steers away from the classic bilingual dynamic, using profound Tagalog words that let viewers feel and understand Pulang Araw’s emotional nuances. The series highlights the story’s emotional depth and the beauty of our language.

It has good pacing

The first episode was well-paced and connected with viewers in the first few minutes. It immediately draws you into the story of what Filipinos went through during the Japanese occupation while leaving enough mystery to keep you invested in the series.

It has well-established conflicts

Pulang Araw avoided the common pitfall of numerous Pinoy teleseryes these days — unclear central conflict. The show has always been clear about showing the struggles Filipinos experienced during the Japanese occupation. The historical elements throughout the first episode were on point and established an apparent major conflict that sets the stage for more thought-provoking narratives.

Verdict

The show is expected to run for 20 weeks, equivalent to over 50 episodes. Based on what we saw in the pilot, a show like Pulang Araw, which champions the strength of the Filipino spirit, couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s a must-watch, and we’re excited to see how everything unfolds in the coming episodes.

Watch Pulang Araw weeknights on GMA and on Netflix!

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