Filipino historical action-drama ‘Pulang Araw’ to hit Netflix in July

Screencap from GMA Network

“Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.”

Following the successful reception of the hit Filipino historical drama series “Maria Clara at Ibarra” last year and with the Philippines poised to commemorate the 126th Independence Day on June 12, Netflix has unveiled the eagerly awaited premiere of the historical action-drama series, “Pulang Araw.”

Scheduled for release in July, this series, featuring the stars of “Maria Clara at Ibarra” Barbie Forteza and David Licauco, unfolds against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation in the Philippines.

In an Instagram post, GMA Network teased the series, marking the 126th anniversary of Independence Day with a reminder of the courage displayed by Filipinos during World War II, writing, “Sa paggunita sa 126th anniversary ng Araw ng Kalayaan, ating alalahanin ang lahat ng Pilipinong buong tapang na nakipaglaban noong World War II para sa kanilang pamilya, para sa ating bayan, para sa ating kalayaan.”

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The post concluded on a patriotic note: “Ang kuwento ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino, ito ang #PulangAraw.”

Joining Forteza and Licauco are Sanya Lopez, Alden Richards and Dennis Trillo and they will navigate the challenges of wartime Philippines.

“Find out how the characters navigate an intricate web of loyalty, betrayals, sacrifices and resilience amidst the backdrop of a war ravaging the country,” Netflix invites viewers.

Directed by Dominic Zapata and written by Suzette Doctolero, “Pulang Araw” will premiere on Netflix on July 26, a full 72 hours before its scheduled broadcast on free TV.

Last year, Netflix revealed that “Maria Clara at Ibarra” ranked among the top-viewed Filipino programs in the streaming giant’s engagement report for January to June 2023. This report, encompassing over 18,000 titles and nearly 100 billion hours of viewing, represents 99 percent of all Netflix viewing.

Notably, “Maria Clara at Ibarra” amassed 22.1 million total viewing hours worldwide, despite its limited release.

For those unfamiliar, “Maria Clara at Ibarra” offers a captivating fusion of history, romance, and fantasy, transporting viewers to late 19th-century Philippines through the eyes of Binibining Klay (portrayed by Forteza), a Gen Z nursing student thrust into the world of Jose Rizal’s literary masterpiece, “Noli Me Tangere.”