November 15, 2025 | 2:03pm
MANILA, Philippines — Nostalgia will come in flowing amounts when a stage musical adaptation of “Bagets” draws back its curtains early next year.
The 1984 film by Maryo J. de los Reyes follows five young boys — Adie, Gilbert, TonTon, Arnel, and Topee — as they navigate the trials and triumphs of adolescence.
Playing the titular group were Aga Muhlach, Herbert Bautista, William Martinez, Raymond Lauchengco and J.C. Bonnin.
This January, “Bagets the Musical” under the direction of Maribel Legarda — former creative director of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) — will give the story a new spin as it brings the ’80s to the theater.
Legarda billed the production as the first Filipino musical to make use of international songs. Past local jukebox musicals like “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” “Rak of Aegis” and “One More Chance” all made use of songs by Filipino artists.
During a sneak peek of the production last November 14 at Newport World Resorts, where the musical will begin in January, the cast was asked why people should flock to see “Bagets the Musical.”
KD Estrada, who alternates the role of Arnel with Ethan David, pointed out the show will be nostalgic for those who grew up with “Bagets” but completely new for those curious about it.
“It’s about five boys in high school learning what it actually is to be a man and grow up,” KD said, adding the team respects the time period it was originally set in.
The actor also shared receiving messages from his uncles, aunts, and even professors eager to see him portray Arnel, having grown up with the original film, quipping he’d give them tickets if he could.
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A strong connection lives in this production as Andres Muhlach will be playing his dad Aga’s role Adie, alternating with fellow VIVA artist Mico Hendrix Chua.
“For all of us, the biggest essence of ‘Bagets’ is the ensemble, the barkada, the group of friends, the ups and downs that come with their life stories,” Andres shared.
Andres added it’s that particular essence of ensemble which will make “Bagets the Musical” stand out.
Veteran actress Carla Guevara-Laforteza — who will play Adie’s mother (that role was previously by Celia Rodriguez in the film) — pointed out the film circles around the boys, their romantic exploits, and problems in life, but the musical will shed a light as well on the boys’ relationships with their mothers.
“Magandang addition ‘yun for this particular stage adaptation, ‘yan ang mae-expect ninyo sa show na different from the movie,” she ended.
Completing the main cast are Noel Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert, Milo Cruz and Migo Valid as Tonton, and Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf as Topee.
Also playing their mothers are Neomi Gonzales, Kakai Bautista, Natasha Cabrera, Mayen Cadd, and Ring Antonio.
“Bagets the Musical,” a joint production of Viva Entertainment, The Philippine STAR and Newport World Resorts, will run at the Newport Performing Arts Theater beginning January 2026.
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