'Pulang Araw' stars Sanya Lopez, Ashley Ortega call for justice for comfort women

MANILA, Philippines — Sanya Lopez broke into tears while recalling the first time she met some of the lolas (grandmothers) who were comfort women during World War II. Her "Pulang Araw" co-star Ashley Ortega revealed that it was the same scene when they first met the lolas before they filmed the ongoing war series on GMA-7. 

Sanya and Ashley were invited to the Pandesal Forum on the comfort women during World War II last October 24 held in Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City. 

"Napakabigat po ano. I mean, kanina pa sumasakit ang batok ko kaka-control ng nararamdaman ko. Artista lang naman po ako. Sa totoo lang po pero ramdam ko 'yung mga ipinaglalaban ng mga kababaihan natin dito," Sanya began. 

She currently plays Teresita Borromeo, a bodabil (vaudeville) star from a wealthy family who catches the attention of the ruthless Japanese Imperial Army Colonel Yuta Saitoh (played by Dennis Trillo). 

"Naiiyak ako. Sa totoo po, ganito rin po 'yung naramdaman ko noong una ko silang nakasama." 

“Pasensiya na po kasi nu'ng nakausap ko sila, sobrang durug na durog din po ako. Sobrang sakit po sa puso na marinig ‘yung kuwento nila," she added. 

Sanya recalled meeting two of the lolas when she visited the organization Lila Pilipina. 

“Isa po sa mga tumatak sa akin doon ‘yung kuwento ni Lola Isang (Narcisa). Sabi niya po, kapag nakikita niya ang mga kabataan ngayon, ‘masaya sila, kung siguro ako ‘yun ngayon, siguro ang saya-saya ko.’ Doon ko na-realize na sobrang suwerte pala ng henerasyon ngayon, na hindi natin naranasan ‘yung naranasan nila nu'ng panahon ng Hapon. Napaka-palad po sobra natin na hindi natin naranasan ‘yun," Sanya said in tears. 

She also appealed for justice because there are only a few lolas who are alive today.

"Nakakalungkot po na dalawa na lang po sa kanila ang natitirang buhay. Kailan kaya nila matatanggap ang hustisya na nararapat para sa kanila? Kasi konti na lang sila, so kailan pa, 'di ba po?" Sanya said. 

A post shared by Ashley Ortega (@ashleyortega)

Ashley agreed with her co-star. She also recounted her own experience meeting the lolas because she is also among the actresses tapped to play a comfort woman. 

Ashley plays Sister Manuela Apolonio, a nun