he historical drama series ‘Pulang Araw’ is currently captivating audiences, thanks in large part to the remarkable portrayal of Barbie Forteza as Adelina.

Suzette Doctolero reveals Marian Rivera was initially considered for ‘Pulang Araw’ role
However, the show’s head writer, Suzette Doctolero, has disclosed that she initially had another actress in mind for the role—none other than the Primetime Queen, Marian Rivera.

In a recent episode of the ‘Updated with Nelson Canlas’ podcast, Doctolero shared insights into the creation of ‘Pulang Araw.’ She revealed that she conceptualized the series shortly after completing her previous project, ‘Amaya,’ back in 2012. The concept was submitted to GMA Network, where it received swift approval; however, production was delayed due to its high production costs and the limitations of CGI technology at the time.

She shared, “Naikuwento ko sa kaniya, tapos gustong-gusto niya na gawin niya ‘yung Pulang Araw at the time, kaya lang 12 years ago na ‘yun. Hindi niya natuloy at the time pa dahil nga too costly.”

Doctolero recounted a Christmas party for the cast and production team of ‘Amaya,’ during which she discussed ‘Pulang Araw’ with Marian Rivera. She mentioned that Marian expressed great enthusiasm for taking on the role of Adelina, but unfortunately, the project was shelved due to budgetary concerns.
The original narrative envisioned by Doctolero revolved around a love story between a Filipino and a Japanese character, set against the turmoil of war. This foundational storyline has now developed into the intricate relationship between Adelina and Hiroshi, enriching the series with emotional depth.

Barbie Forteza recounts past rejections in auditioning for Marian Rivera roles
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As a prominent writer and consultant for GMA Network, Doctolero plays a key role in casting decisions, collaborating with the assistant vice president, network executives, and directors to select the best actors for each role.