Prior to getting the role of Arnel in the stage adaptation of the 1984 teen coming-of-age film Bagets, KD Estrada had already made his stage debut in PETA’s 2023 staging of Rody Vera’s award-winning comedy musical Walang Aray where he played the role of Tenyo. This year, KD said he makes his stage comeback with more confidence this time around.
“Definitely confident. Mas confident ako ngayon kesa sa Walang Aray. Kasi dito, it’s a younger role. Kasi teenager siya eh so meron siyang confidence, meron siyang angst. At meron din siyang parang may konting yabang eh. So kailangan yun,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview during the Bagets the musical presscon held earlier this month at the Grand Wing of Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.
In the new production, KD talked about working with new co-stars as well like Andres Muhlach, Noel Comia Jr., Tomas Rodriguez, and Mico Hendrix Chua, to name a few. Now that they have started their rigorous rehearsal schedule, the 23-year-old actor shared just how close they all have become.
“Parang silang mga brothers ko right now and ang close na namin sa isa’t isa. We’ve been working on our chemistry, we’ve been working on our brotherhood, and of course yung mga sayaw, sayaw, given na yan, and also the acting. Kailangan snappy. Pag theater, snappy talaga and we’ve been working on that. Kami namang mga boys, open kami. Kini-criticize namin yung isa’t isa. Hindi yung, we’re not hating on each other. But of course we criticize each other because we want to give a good show to the people,” he explained.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: KD Estrada talks about playing a “100% conyo boy” in Bagets The Musical
After getting the part of Arnel, which was originally played by Raymond Lauchengco in the original ‘80s film, KD shared why it became easy for him to slide into the role of the conyo member of the group.
“Mas madali. Actually mas madali maging conyo yung role kasi dun ako pinalaki eh. Conyo talaga ako nung bata pa ako ever since I was young and nagagamit ko dito. Nothing wrong with that basta marunong ka umintindi ng Tagalog. Ang medyo kinakabahan ako dun, yung size ng stage. Kasi kailangan din mas conscious kami sa mga galaw namin since malaki nga yung theater and we really have to project our bodies and project our voices,” he said.
READ: KD Estrada reveals his biggest challenge in ‘Walang Aray’
During the presscon, KD also shared what scene was most unforgettable for him in the iconic Pinoy barkada film. “Favorite part ko sa movie yung ‘So It’s You’ na part kasi kumakanta si sir Raymond Lauchengco dun. Ang ganda ng songs kasi. Actually, lahat ng songs na nasa movie nandito sa musical din and excited ako diyan kung paano namin ma-i-interpret ang song na yan to a story na medyo hindi siya malapit. Kasi iibahin kailangan yung lyrics eh. Iibahin yung lyrics,” he revealed.
Bagets the musical is set to open on January 23, 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.