Definitely a stronger week on Pulang Araw. I feel like I’ve been strung along with the end of week previews, getting my hopes up only to be disappointed. But if the preview at the end of Episode 70 pans out next week, then this week will have been the perfect precursor and lead-up to it.
I think there were three highlights this week across the five episodes.
First, Teresita enacting her plan/sacrifice against Col. Yuta. It certainly makes sense as the next step in the narrative after the abuse and violation of the women by the Japanese soldiers the last few weeks. I’ll talk about Eduardo later, but Teresita’s story is certainly one of the many examples of heroism and sacrifice during the war. Offering herself up to the “diablo” like that is obviously a painful and torturous sacrifice.
But aside from her character’s own journey, I think it will be a big catalyst for the story of the other women as well as Col. Yuta’s (hopefully) eventual downfall.
Speaking of Col. Yuta, he was definitely busy this week. First up was his confrontation of Adelina and Hiroshi. Those scenes at the start of the week were okay. The rest of the week definitely overshadowed the scenes. But the confrontation definitely served as the catalyst for what happened next to Adelina.
First though, it was interesting watching Hiroshi try to essentially blackmail Col. Yuta and threaten to reveal his wrongdoing to the higher ups. Which, for us in the present day, seems like a futile endeavor considering the same higher ups perpetrated and were convicted of many war crimes for their actions during World War II. Though it was just a ploy by Hiroshi, the higher ups probably wouldn’t have batted an eye at whatever he would’ve reported. I will take this as Hiroshi being really naïve to the true brutality of the Japanese forces during this time. And perhaps that helps set up him potentially turning his back on his own country and choosing to fight alongside the Filipinos.
Next for Col. Yuta was the confrontation with Eduardo. Which, honestly, I thought was really goofy. The show has been propping Eduardo up as some sort of invincible, though flawed hero that will somehow save the Philippines or something.
On one hand, I can understand him being used to represent the everyday Filipino fighting in the war. Though of course, the majority of Filipino fighters didn’t get the teleserye deus ex machina to save themselves when needed.
So Eduardo being able to sneak in and get to one of the high ranking leaders of the Japanese military? The same Col. Yuta who is supposed to be ruthless and untouchable? Eduardo basically had every chance to kill him. Col. Yuta somehow withered up like some weak idiot. Col. Tonto indeed. It was very strange. And really, pretty funny. Yeah, we love to see the “good guy” get the upper hand sometimes. But for a historical drama, it has to make sense.
Anyway, I think the weakest moments of the week, no question.
Like I mentioned earlier, Teresita’s sacrifice is probably a better and more realistic depiction of Filipino heroism and sacrifice than anything Eduardo has been made to do so far. Sorry.
My favorite moment this week though has to be the scene of Adelina with Papa and Mama Borromeo being forced to speak in support of the Japanese.
At first, I was kinda annoyed Adelina had to return home. Only because it meant we’d have to listen to Mama Borromeo having to be the teleserye kontrabida mother again. Lol But thankfully, it was able to bring about the excellent scene with the town speech.
Kudos to Epy Quizon in this scene. If we’re using the characters of Pulang Araw to represent the many Filipinos who took a stand during the war, Papa Borromeo’s brave act of defiance is a great example. And Epy Quizon was effortless here.
Once Papa Borromeo was shot, it brought about what I think is Barbie Forteza’s best performance of the series so far. It gave her the opportunity to remind us that she is more than the characters she has been typecast into. She isn’t just the sassy Gen Z girly. She’s a serious actress and I hope the show starts to move away from that kind of dynamic for her character. Especially as the series moves toward what seems to be a more dramatic section ahead of the climactic final weeks. And of course Adelina potentially being more involved on the frontlines.
Finally, it was really great to have some actual action this week. First with Eduardo and Friends coming across Uncle Lauro and the Filipino traitors. And then later when Eduardo, the invincible hero, again infiltrating enemy territory undetected until the last minute.
Looks like next week, we will get more big action scenes. So I very much am looking forward to that. And of course more character-driven developments as well. This was a promising week. Though we’ve had promising weeks in the past too. So I’ll keep my expectations reasonable and hope to be pleasantly surprised next week!
And also, please make it stop! Lol
But really, please make it stop! lol 🙉 pic.twitter.com/z1Lo1GufV8
— DryedMangoez (@dryedmangoez) November 5, 2024
Either decrease the use of it or just add the sound every other second. Todo na or whatever lolol It’s hilarious and takes away from whatever dramatic moment it is supposed to support and emphasize. Please. Stop! lol