How Ashley Ortega prepared for role as sex slave in Pulang Araw

What struck her from her convo with real-life comfort women?

Ashley Ortega as sex slave in Pulang Araw
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 /
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.”

Ashley Ortega as Sister Manuela in Pulang Araw

Scene from September 12 episode where Sr. Manuela gets abused by Japanese soldiers

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 as Sister Manuela in Pulang Araw

Ashley Ortega with Dennis Trillo