"Pulang Araw" stars Sanya Lopez and Ashley Ortega admitted to shedding tears when they first learned about the issue of comfort women.

Sanya and Ashley shared their thoughts during an open forum, "Flowers for Lolas," sponsored by the 85-year-old Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City on Oct. 24. Both stars portrayed comfort women in the popular Kapuso primetime series.

"Napakabigat ng topic. Artista lang naman ako pero ramdam ko ang mga ipinaglalaban ng mga kababaihan natin," Sanya started as she got emotional.

Sanya continued: "Sa totoo lang po, ganito rin ang naramdaman ko noong una ko silang nakasama. Sorry at emotional ako rito kasi totoong nangyari sa kanila ito noong World War II.

"Naimbitahan din ako sa isang organization para sa comfort women at nakakalungkot na dalawa na lang ang natira sa kanila roon.

"At nagsalita sila kung kailan nila matatanggap ang hustisya na nararapat para sa kanila. Konti na lang sila so kailan pa? Noong nakausap ko sila sobrang sakit sa puso na marinig yung kwento nila. Hindi po biro yun.

"Isa sa tumatak sa akin doon ay ang kwento ni Lola Isang. Sabi niya kapag nakikita ko yung mga kabataan ngayon, masaya siya. Siguro kung ako rin yung bata ngayon, ang saya-saya ko. Doon ko narealize sobrang swerte ng generation ko at hindi natin naranasan yung nangyari noon," Sanya also said.

Sanya mentioned that she was inspired to join the series after learning about the struggles of Filipino comfort women.

Ashley said she got nervous when the historical TV series was initially offered.

"I want to be honest na hindi talaga ako aware sa mga nangyari sa comfort women. But I am grateful na na-meet ko yung mga lola. I was heartbroken.

"Nag-iiyakan kami noon. Ngayon na ipinapakita ng 'Pulang Araw' ang storya ng comfort women, nakikita ko yung mga comments and they became aware of what was going on now.

"Ngayon lang nila nalaman na may ganito palang nangyari during World War II. Yun ng gusto talaga namin iparating sa mga hindi pa completely aware sa mga pinagdaanan nila.

"Now I am happy na yung mga students na nalaman na nila ang mga nangyari and I think it's about time. Para hindi maulit ang nangyari noon.

"Kapag ginagawa namin yung mga eksena, hindi ko talaga maisip na nangyari yun. Masakit talaga sa puso. Pero I'm happy na naging voice ang 'Pulang Araw' at naging aware ang mga kabataan natin kung ano ang nangyari noong giyera," Ashley said.

Wilson also commended Sanya and Ashley for their courageous portrayal of comfort women in the series and proposed a movie project for GMA on the same issue.

Set during World War II, “Pulang Araw” traces the intertwined lives of four childhood friends—Eduardo, Teresita, Adelina, and Hiroshi. As war ravages their homeland and Japanese forces occupy the country, their dreams, friendships, and loyalties are tested, leading them on a journey of self-discovery and resilience.  

Also in the same forum were Gabriela Congresswoman Arlene Brosas, Flowers for Lola's spokesperson Teresita Ang See, Lila Pilipina Director Sharon Cabusao-Silva, Malaya Lolas legal counsel Atty. Virginia Lacsa-Suarez, and activist Atty. Dennis Gorecho.

The same forum emphasized the need for collective action to honor comfort women victims, press for reparations, and ensure historical accountability. 

Guest speakers urged the public to support the cause and help restore dignity to the survivors while proactively promoting peace.