Pulang Araw (Red Sun), known internationally as In the Arms of the Conqueror, is a 2024 Philippine television drama war series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Dominic Zapata, it stars Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, David Licauco and Dennis Trillo in their title roles together with an ensemble cast. It premiered on July 29, 2024 as part of the GMA Prime lineup replacing Black Rider. The series concluded on December 27, 2024 with a total of 110 episodes.
The series is streaming online on Netflix and on GMA Network's official YouTube channel via Kapuso Stream.
Premise[]
Eduardo, Teresita, Adelina and Hiroshi will navigate their respective lives in the midst of the war during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.
Cast and characters[]
Main cast[]
- Alden Richards as Eduardo dela Cruz: He harbors resentment towards his American father, who abused their mother. Despite this, he is a caring older brother to Adelina and has romantic feelings for Teresita. Choosing to side with neither the Americans nor the Japanese, he joins the guerrilla forces.
- Sanya Lopez as Teresita "Morena" Borromeo: Adelina's older half-sister, Teresita Borromeo, has aspirations of becoming a vaudeville star. She is the daughter of Carmela and Julio Borromeo.
- Barbie Forteza as Adelina "Chinita" dela Cruz: Eduardo's younger sister, harbors a strong dislike for Americans. When World War II begins, she chooses to side with the Japanese.
- David Licauco as Hiroshi Tanaka: The son of Japanese immigrants, he goes to Japan to study but eventually returns to the Philippines, where he reunites with his childhood friends Adelina, Teresita, and Eduardo.
- Dennis Trillo as Lt. Col. Yuta Saitoh: A Japanese Imperial Army officer whose mission is to conquer the Philippines, he eventually develops feelings for Teresita.
Supporting cast[]
- Epy Quizon as Julio Borromeo
- Angelu de Leon as Carmela Borromeo
- Rochelle Pangilinan as Amalia Dimalanta-Torres
- Ashley Ortega as Manuela Apolonio
- Mikoy Morales as Tasyo
- Brianna Advincula as Luisa
- Aidan Veneracion as Mario
- Isay Alvarez-Seña as Dolores
- Jay Arcilla as Dado
- Neil Ryan Sese as Lauro Torres
- Don Melvin Boongaling as Juanito
- Robert Seña as Johnny
- Sef Cadayona as Luis
- Skye Chua as Yuki
- TG Dylusan as Juan
- Joyce Glorioso as Rosing
- Karenina Haniel as Meding
- Issa Litton as Bettina
- Joanne Morallos as Yolanda
- Ryoichi Nagatsuka as Ryu
- Jay Ortega as Akio Watanabe
- Bombi Plata as Francisco
- Armson Panesa as Isko
- Angeli Nicole Sanoy as Lorena
Guest cast[]
- Rhian Ramos as Filipina "Fina" dela Cruz
- Jacky Woo as Chikara Tanaka
- Maria Ozawa as Haruka Tanaka
- Billy Ray Gallion as Tyler Campbell
- Franchesco Maafi as young Eduardo dela Cruz
- Cassy Lavarias as young Adelina dela Cruz
- Cheska Maranan as young Teresita Borromeo
- Miguel Diokno as young Hiroshi Tanaka
- Julie Anne San Jose as Katy de la Cruz
- Derrick Monasterio as Marcel
- Zephanie as Chichay
- Waynona Collings as Mary Walter
- Lauren King as Etang Discher
- Rabiya Mateo as Rosalia
- Abraham Lawyer as an American soldier
- Max Collins as Valeria "Yay" Panililio
- Elle Villanueva as Kumander Liwayway
Development[]
Writer Suzette Doctolero began conceptualizing Pulang Araw between 2012 and 2013. In 2023, the series was announced, with Doctolero serving as the head writer.
Doctolero's interest in writing a story set during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines was a result of her grandparents' experience as guerrilla fighters and vaudeville performers. She researched and interviewed World War II veterans, vaudeville artists and comfort women for the series.
Casting[]
On November 23, 2023, it was announced that Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, David Licauco, Alden Richards, and Dennis Trillo had been cast in lead roles in the series. Rhian Ramos, Rochelle Pangilinan, Epy Quizon, Angelu de Leon, Ashley Ortega, Mikoy Morales and Aidan Veneracion were also announced in supporting roles. In December, Abraham Lawyer joined the cast.
In July 2024, the other cast members – Robert Seña, Neil Ryan Sese, Jay Arcilla, Sef Cadayona, and Tyro Daylusan were announced. Julie Anne San Jose, Derrick Monasterio, Isay Alvarez, Rabiya Mateo, Jacky Woo, Maria Ozawa and Billy Ray Gallon were announced as guest roles.
Release[]
The pilot episode of Pulang Araw premiered on Netflix on July 26, 2024, while its television debut on GMA Network was broadcast on July 29, 2024. Originally set to air 100 episodes, the series was given additional 10 episodes in November 2024.
TV Ratings[]
According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement People in Television Homes, the pilot episode of Pulang Araw earned a 12.8% rating.
