You definitely felt like things are wrapping up on Pulang Araw. On one hand, it’s like “Finally!” But on the other, it feels like we haven’t even scratched the surface. It’s a strange feeling because yes, I do want to wrap these stories up. At least, with these characters that we’ve watched for 95 episodes. But I still want to know more about what’s going on elsewhere during the war. I want to hear other stories.
One example from this week was the Japanese soldier who is revealed to be the actual spy for the guerrillas. (It’s a good thing that Akio did not end up being the spy. But more on him later.) We can assume that there were many Japanese soldiers who weren’t raping and pillaging and were very much disillusioned and did not want any part in the horrors of what was happening in the Philippines at this time.
I think that goes along with what I’ve mentioned in the past about how I wish we got to see more of Hiroshi’s struggling with that very idea. That love and respect for country, but recognizing and acknowledging the wrongs that contradict that positive feeling.
Part of that would have been exploring his friendship with Akio more. Which in turn would have been a good jumping off point for Akio being a representation of a Japanese soldier who isn’t without fault, but also a growing skeptic. Sadly, more often than not, he’s just been a plot device. Though Jay Ortega has done a pretty great job with the material given to him.
And it’s actually interesting that most of the best scenes with Hiroshi (and David Licauco) have been with either Papa Tanaka or Akio. And really not so much with Adelina. I actually though the whole “love of my life” stuff from this week was the weakest part.
Another actor who has delivered so much is Rochelle Pangilinan of course. This week saw the conclusion of Auntie Amalia’s story. And maybe out of all the characters on this series, hers is the best example of how you do a character arc. We didn’t get to see that with Mama Borromeo. We didn’t get to see that with Papa Tanaka. But we definitely got it with Eduardo and Adelina’s Tita.
Perhaps the most satisfying moment of the entire series so far was seeing Amalia slice her asshole of a husband up. I honestly thought the show wouldn’t go there. But credit to them for doing so. It was a well-deserved end for Uncle Lauro. Though I would’ve wanted to see them make him suffer more first. Maybe shoot his legs off first. Or cut his arms off. Something like that. lol
I think her death was expected. I’m sure everyone except the Core4 (or even including them, to be honest lol) is going to end up dead before the end. But at least Auntie Amalia got some good kills of the Japanese soldiers before she died. That was also a satisfying moment as well.
The best line of the week though came from Adelina where she says “Malaki na ang binago sa akin ang digmaan na ito.”/”This war has changed me so much.” An excellent sentiment. But also something I wish we saw more of. And earlier too. Not just here in the 80s, forward. And definitely not in Episode 94 only.
Well, I’ll have more to nitpick about in my Hindsight Review of the series at the end with regards to the pacing. But anyway, to the other developments of the week.
Good scene with Teresita at her father’s grave. Sanya was wonderful in that short scene. But there was a bit of repetitive and predictable moments with the other characters. Perhaps partly because of the two week extension? So it was interesting that Col. Yuta and Eduardo were the least interesting main characters this week.
Well, just three weeks left of the series. It was a solid week this time because of the strong conclusion for Auntie Amalia’s arc. So let’s maybe not let up on the gas and just go full speed ahead in the final 15 episodes.