Ashley Ortega gets straight-hand info from real-life comfort women to help her understand her role in Pulang Araw. 
PHOTO/S: Screengrab from Pulang Araw / GMA-7 YouTube

Ashley Ortega draws good reviews with her notable portrayal as a nun-turned-sex slave in GMA-7’s ongoing primetime series, Pulang Araw.

Set during World War II and the Japanese occupation in the Philippines, her character in Pulang Araw is a nun who got arrested, detained, and abused by the Japanese soldiers.

Her character’s harrowing ordeal in the story was first aired in the serye’s September 12 episode and the latest October 19 episode showed that she remains incarcerated along with other comfort women in the story.

Speaking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), the 25-year-old Kapuso actress speaks about how she spoke with real comfort women to better understand her role in Pulang Araw.

Ashley said, “Ay, mahirap. Oh my gosh. I really had to prepare myself mentally and emotionally.

“Actually, sa lahat naman ng project, I’m usually happy to prepare.

“But mentally, I really have to be strong also. Kasi, I was able to interview real comfort women before we started shooting.

“So, narinig talaga namin yung kuwento nila. And I got emotional. So, sinabi ko talaga sa kanila, I will bring justice to my character.”

Scene from September 12 episode where Sr. Manuela gets abused by Japanese soldiers 
Photo/s: Screengrab from Pulang Araw / GMA-7 YouTube

What struck Ashley in her conversation with real-life comfort women?

She replied, “Actually, lahat na lang yung nangyayari. So, basically, during their time, kasi kami, di ba, nakuha na ng mga soldiers. Kinulong kami sa mga garrison.

“Garrison is parang isang bahay kung saan nila nilalagay lahat ng mga babae [na prisoners].

“And, dun sila, naging sex slave, narinig sila.

“And, yeah, every night [sila inaabuso]. Yun yung kuwento talaga sa amin.

“And, siyempre, while listening to their story, naiyak kami ni Ate Sanya.”

Ashley was referring to one of the show’s lead stars Sanya Lopez, who is a witness to the atrocoties that the soldiers were doing to the comfort women.

Sanya’s character Teresita hopes to rescue a minor sex slave by agreeing to marry Colonel Yuta, played by Dennis Trillo.

Ashley Ortega with Dennis Trillo 
Photo/s: Screengrab from Pulang Araw / GMA-7 YouTube

ASHLEY ORTEGA AND ROCHELLE PANGILINAN

As for Ashley, she had another heartbreaking scene with co-star Rochelle Pangilinan in the October 18 episode, where they argued about their contrasting stand on their plight as comfort women.

Rochelle as Amalia: “Paano tayo magtitiwala sa Diyos na pinapayagan tayong gahasaing mga anak Niya? Nasaan Siya kapag inabuso na naman tayo mamayang gabi? Bukas? Sa susunod na araw? Hanggang tayo pababayaan ng Diyos mo?! “

Ashley as Sr. Manuela: “Huwag mo sabihin yan, Ate Amalia. Matakot ka naman sa Diyos. Ang pang-iinsulto sa Kanya ay magdudulot lamang ng higit na kaparasuhan at pasakit sa atin. Lalung-lalo na nawalan ka na ng tiwala at pananampalataya sa Kanya.”

Rochelle as Amalia: “Walang Diyos, Manuela! Tinalikuran na Niya tayo! Kaya ikaw gumising sa katotohanan. Kahit anong dasal ang gawin mo diyan, di ka na Niya maririnig at pakikinggan pa. Tanggapin mo na lang na pinabayaan Niya tayo sa impiyernong lugar na ‘to!”

Rochelle Pangilinan and Ashley Ortega’s scene from October 18 episode 
Photo/s: Screengrab from Pulang Araw / GMA-7 YouTube

PEP interviewed Ashley on the sidelines of Corso Como 88’s launch for its perfume line and leather bag line, held at One Ayala Mall in Makati City.

ASHLEY ORTEGA ON PULANG ARAW CO-STARS

Pointing at her “clean girl” makeup look, Ashley said, “As in, yung itsura ko ngayon, fresh. As in, dun [sa Pulang Araw] talaga no make-up.

“Tapos, nilagyan pa nila ng oil yung face ko para talaga mukhang oily and greasy.”

But despite the heavy scenes in Pulang Araw, Ashley said she and her co-stars are working well on the set.

“Actually, lahat naman sila masayang ka-work. Once na ma-cut, bumabalik kami sa tent.

“Masaya naman si Ate Rochelle, Ate Sanya. Si Ate Sanya ilang beses ko na naka-work. Si Ate Rochelle, I think it’s my first time.

“Si Kuya Dennis, I already worked with him in Legal Wives, so comfortable na ako around them and I’m happy to be working with them again.”

Ashley added that she is thankful to GMA for giving her opportunities to stretch her acting know-how.

“My goal naman talaga is to be a versatile actress. Ayoko ma-line lang sa bida, ayoko ma-line lang sa kontrabida.

“I wanna try different dynamics, different attacks, different acting. Na-enjoy ko.”