Maria Ozawa on Playing David Licauco’s Mother in Pulang Araw
MARIA OZAWA – The Japanese actress is excited to be part of the GMA-7 series Pulang Araw, where she plays Haruka Tanaka, the mother of Hiroshi Tanaka, a character portrayed by David Licauco. The show also stars Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, and Alden Richards.
Maria shared that while she was initially nervous, she enjoyed playing the role of a loving mother. To prepare for her character, she sought advice from her aunts in Japan on how to portray a traditional Japanese mother. The director wanted the portrayal to be authentic, reflecting real Japanese family dynamics.
Interestingly, Maria mentioned that she had seen a viral video of David Licauco before they met. The video, which trended in Japan as well, featured David during his guest appearance on Family Feud in January 2024. When asked to complete the name “Maria,” David humorously answered “Ozawa,” referencing Maria Ozawa, the former Japanese adult actress. His response led to teasing from his fellow contestants, and David appeared visibly embarrassed.
Maria found the video amusing and noted that it helped them establish a connection on set, making it easier to portray their mother-son relationship in Pulang Araw. She appreciated that they had something to laugh about and discuss, which contributed to their on-screen chemistry.
Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to return to acting, Maria acknowledged that she had been away from the profession for some time and initially felt worried about her performance. However, she is happy to be part of the project and hopes that it will be a success.
Maria also hopes that Filipino viewers will better understand Japanese culture through Pulang Araw, particularly how Japanese families and parents react to different situations, including war. She believes that the series will showcase the cultural differences in how Japanese families communicate and handle household responsibilities, offering viewers a glimpse into the unique aspects of Japanese family life.