More than four decades after it defined teenage life in the ’80s, "Bagets" returns to the spotlight as a full-scale stage musical — reintroducing a beloved coming-of-age story to Gen Z audiences while tapping into the deep nostalgia of Gen X.
Five high school boys who are learning how it is to be a man, is the coming-of-age story in “Bagets The Musical,” that will appeal to millennials and Gen Z audiences, as well as thrill Gen Xers.
“When we talked to (VIVA) Boss Vic del Rosario, he said that theater is booming now,” recalled Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) president and PETA Plus program director Melvin Lee. “But in PETA, our theater has a capacity of only 450. Boss Vic encouraged that we should collaborate to go for a wider reach in terms of the theater-going public.
That was how this partnership project for “Bagets The Musical” started with the four stakeholders -- PETA, Viva Communications, Philippine Star and Newport World Resorts.
“Bagets The Musical” is directed by Maribel Legarda, with a book by J-Mee Katanyag, music by Vince Lim and choreography by JM Cabling.
Working with relatively newbies in theater is a challenge for director Legarda. “Most of them are new in theater and it’s their first time in a musical,” she said. “They are all highly challenged, too. They are doing their choreography and acting lessons. Since we are an educational theater company, it’s important for us to teach.
“We are excited there’s a new generation of young artists who are venturing into theater. We do not have problems with that. We are very happy. Theater is on a roll. They have to study to prepare because theater is not a camera. It has no close-up, there are no cuts. When you’re there, you have to be present. I can see their hunger and thirst for knowledge and I’m excited about that.”
Ten young actors will alternate in the iconic roles of Tonton, Topee, Gilbert, Arnel and Adie. Most of the lead actors are making their stage debut, save for Noel Comia, Jr. who has extensive theater experience since he was a child, KD Estrada who debuted in “Walang Aray” for PETA in 2023, and Mico Hendrix Chua, who started performing in theater productions in Iloilo.
All of them auditioned for their respective roles.
“The things that are especially connected to this movie are not a generational thing,” said Milo Cruz, who’s playing the character of Tonton, originally essayed by William Martinez, alternating with Migo Valid. “Everyone experienced those things,” Cruz said. “This is a great, nostalgic story. Even my professors in college, they all watched ‘Bagets’.”
Andres Muhlach makes his theater debut in “Bagets The Musical,” after doing his big screen debut in “Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna,” opposite Ashtine Olviga
“For all of us, the essence of ‘Bagets,’ is an ensemble of a group of friends, the barkada, their life stories, their ups and downs,” said Muhlach, who reprises the role of Adie, originally played by his dad, Aga Muhlach, alternating with Chua.
“I think the biggest take that we want to do, as much as possible, is to portray that barkada feel and the essence of what the ensemble really is,” said Muhlach. “That’s the difference that we, as a cast and as a group, really will make it happen in this play.”
What Andres loves about his role is the charisma and the drive that Adie brings to the whole story. “Even when you see the original story, Adie brings a certain charisma and that’s what I also want to do to my role,” Muhlach saidd.
The role is a “full circle” moment for him as he steps into his father’s shoes. “Before I was even a teenager, I was already shown ‘Bagets’,” recalled Muhlach. “I didn’t grasp the impact of ‘Bagets’ before. Maybe I was still very young then. When I first watched ‘Bagets’ with my dad and my family, we never imagined I would one day play Adie.
“But as I got older and I started to work more, I saw the impact of the real film. I understand how it was such really a big hit here in the Philippines. My dad told me that when ‘Bagets’ was shown at that time, ninety percent of the people were in the cinemas watching the film and they were all very excited.
“All the bagets at that time were into colorful outfits. That’s really crazy how much of an impact ‘Bagets’ made with the older generation. Now that we get to do it and give our own take about it, all of us are just really proud, excited and really eager to put our performance for the next generation to enjoy.”
When he learned that he was taken in, Muhlach initially had second thoughts. “I was ecstatic, but ‘Bagets’ is a musical, so that made me initially worried,” Muhlach said. “But now, as we are doing it and we are practicing and training – thanks to PETA Plus and our production team for getting us all prepared, we are all excited to perform and give you guys a show you can enjoy.
“I’m really just as proud and it’s really an honor to play my father’s role in the past. I love Adie’s charisma. When I asked some pointers or advice from my dad, ano pwede kong gawin sa ‘Bagets The Musical,” ano ang tips niya? He said to me, ‘Kaya mo na ‘yan,”
When Muhlach watched “Bagets” again recently, he realized the original film in 1984 is like a musical. “The are many songs being played throughout the film,” shared Muhlach. “If you see the sequences, it’s blocked like a musical in film. Ang galing talaga that we get to do this film as a musical.”
The cast of Bagets The Musical
Theater/TV and film actor Comia alternates with Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert, originally played by Herbert Bautista.
Rodriguez encouraged people to watch “Bagets The Musical” because he wants the audience to relate to the five male characters and even the female artists. “The audience will be surprised that even before, 40 years ago, those teenage problems had been happening already,” he said. “I feel that I really relate to Gilbert. Today, the problems are the same. Maybe others will have the realization when they watch the musical.”
Estrada, who debuted in “Walang Aray,” returns to the stage for “Bagets The Musical,” with Ethan David as alternate for the role of Arnel, originally portrayed by Raymond Lauchengco.
“When I first did theater in ‘Walang Aray’ with PETA in 2023, that was culture shock for me,” shared Estrada. “My voice before, I didn’t know how to project. But in my theater experience with PETA, I learned how to project my voice and made my voice louder. I also gained self-confidence.”
Sam Shoaf and Jeff Moses alternate as Topee, the group’s martial arts heartthrob, originally played by JC Bonnin. Shoef was earlier seen in “The Voice Kids Philippines” and “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids,” before he was seen as a teenage student in “And Mutya ng Section E.” Meanwhile, Moses was seen in the film, “Under a Piaya Moon,” for the Puregold Cine Panalo Festival.
“I speak Hiligaynon, too, like the character of JC Bonnin in the film,” said Moses. “I understand Hiligaynon because I’m from Bacolod. I am connected with my role that’s why I’m excited to portray it. I am also sporty. So, I didn’t have to do a major adjustment with my role. I’m really happy to work with the guys. I unlearned so many things.”
Each of the characters of the artists represents something different – friendship, dreams, family, growing up.
“I think teens these days, can relate to that and we hope ‘Bagets’ can inspire them to do away from their gadgets, get away from their phones, their gadgets, meet their friends and bond with them. I hope that’s one of the things today’s young people can relate with. Disconnect to connect,” Rodriguez said.
Added Comia, “When your family is not your hope, you look for other hopes. Those bagets, their home is their barkada. They are all not connected with their families. Sabi nga sa song, ‘I call you on my telephone, but you’re never home.’ So young people who feel they are not connected with their families, will surely relate to ‘Bagets.’ They still maintain their bond with their friends and that’s their family.”
Families will also get to relate to “Bagets,” as shared by Chua. “They can bring back their relationship that was previously damaged,” he said. “This story is really a joy to watch.
“We are aware that the young people today are pretty much exposed to social media. But the bagets before, their way of entertainment was merely being together. Kung ano ang trip ng barkada, nandoon.
The musical focuses on the youngsters’ relationship with their mothers. “So that will be a nice addition for this particular stage adaptation,” said Carla Guevarra Laforteza., who plays Virgie, Adie’s mom. “They can expect something different to this show, compared to the movie.”
The cast and creative team of Bagets The Musical
After more than four decades, it’s the best time to bring back “Bagets” now. “Even if ‘Bagets’ was shown in 1984, the story is very relatable,” said Neomi Gonzales, who plays Ana, Topee’s mom. “Coming of age, family, friends and the teenager’s idea of growing up.
“In this adaptation, growing up is not necessarily from bagets to adult. It can also be mothers trying to grow up more than their careers. Or how is it to be an ideal Filipino in this coming-of-age story for everybody. It’s always timely, with the nostalgia vibe of the '80s. Youth culture is always so strong.
“But at the same time, this ‘Bagets’ is about the relationship of mothers and their sons, a deep-rooted stuff in our culture. ‘Bagets’ is a fun way of looking into that. How they did it in the ‘80s and how is it any different from what we’re doing now, wherever the male psyche is now.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun, since this is set in the relationships of mothers and their sons, as well as their barkada, an extended community in our culture, here in the Philippines. We’re a family story expanding in song and dance.”
Kakai Bautista and Natasha Cabrera alternate as Delia, Tonton’s mother, Mayen Cadd is Ditas, Arnel’s mother, Ring Antonio is Luz, Gilbert’s mother.
“Bagets The Musical” runs from January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT).