Andres Muhlach continues the legacy of Adie in Bagets The Musical

The young Muhlach takes on his father’s iconic role for Bagets The Musical.

Bagets The Musical is coming full circle as a new Muhlach steps into the spotlight. Four decades after Aga Muhlach charmed audiences as Adie in the 1984 coming-of-age hit, his son Andres Muhlach will take on the same role in the 2026 stage adaptation. Fresh from his film debut in Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna, Andres joins the new-generation Bagets barkada, alternating performances with Mico Hendrix Chua. With this final cast reveal, fans are all set to relive the iconic magic, friendships, and first-love thrills that made Bagets a cultural phenomenon.

For Andres, stepping into Adie’s shoes is both an honor and a deeply personal moment. “I understand how big Bagets was, and still is, in the Philippines,” he says. “It’s such a huge part of many Filipino childhoods. To be part of it, let alone play my dad’s role, feels surreal.” His father couldn’t be prouder. “When we first found out that I got his breakthrough role, he was super happy for me,” Andres shares. “He’s excited to see how I’ll bring my own take to the character.”

 

This project also marks Andres’ first major foray into theater. While nerves were high, rigorous workshops and rehearsals helped him embrace the challenge. “It’s really about honing your talents,” he says. “Once you start learning more about yourself and your abilities, it just makes you more motivated—to perform, improve, and keep getting better.”

Though comparisons are inevitable, Andres is determined to make the role his own. “I’d want this to be my own path,” he explains. “At the end of the day, the hard work is on us, the new Bagets cast. What we put out isn’t because of what the original actors did, but because we want to create something worthy for today’s fans.”

The young actor came prepared for the role, training extensively and auditioning with a surprise vocal performance. “Ever since I was little, I dreamed of seeing myself on the silver screen and on stage,” he shares. “Now it’s happening. I just feel blessed.” Andres has already appeared in TV series like Ang Mutya ng Section E and Da Pers Family, but Bagets The Musical gives him the chance to showcase a more mature, layered side of his artistry.

“Playing Adie now is a completely new experience,” he reflects. “He’s still the charismatic, charming boy-next-door, but this time, his story feels more grounded—especially because of his love interest.” For Andres, the show’s heart lies in friendship and growing up together. “Atasha and I studied abroad, but I enjoyed my time here more because I was with my best friends. Nothing beats being close to the people who made student life bearable. That’s really at the heart of Bagets The Musical.”

Bagets The Musical will run from January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Joining Andres in the lead cast are Noel Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert, Milo Cruz and Migo Valid as Tonton, Ethan David and KD Estrada as Arnel, Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf as Topee, and Mico Hendrix Chua as Adie.

The musical is produced by VIVA Communications Inc., The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts, with creative direction from Philippine Educational Theater Association Plus. It is helmed by Maribel Legarda, with script by J-mee Katanyag and music by Vince Lim. The production is supported by Sun Life Philippines.

For updates, follow VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar), and Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sign up for the waitlist now via newportworldresorts.com/bagets-musical-waitlist to be the first in line for tickets.

Read More

Mico Hendrix Chua brings new charm to Adie in Bagets The Musical

Bagets The Musical is getting a fresh dose of charm with the arrival of Mico Hendrix Chua, who steps into the role of Adie—the baby-faced heartthrob first made iconic by Aga Muhlach in the beloved 1984 coming-of-age film. With his boy-next-door vibe and irresistible dimples, Chua is set to make audiences swoon as he brings a new twist to the 2026 stage adaptation.

Chua has been performing since his teens, starting out in local theaters in Iloilo before moving to Manila. In 2021, he joined Born to Be a Star, which earned him a contract with VIVA Communications Inc.. Soon after, he moved to Dubai, where he balanced multiple jobs while studying. “I started as an admissions counselor, then became an administrator,” he recalls.

Even with a stable life abroad, performing was never far from his heart. “I can always go back to that life, but I’m not getting any younger. I want to give my all to what I truly love,” he says. Upon returning to the Philippines, he auditioned for Bagets The Musical—an experience that proved to be a turning point. “At first, I didn’t expect anything. But the more I went through the process, the more I wanted the character.”

 

Interestingly, Chua had initially set his sights on playing Topee. But landing Adie became a blessing in disguise. “We’re a lot more alike than I thought,” he reflects. “I think many can relate when I say we’ve all had that time in our lives when we were young, naive, and just letting our emotions get the best of us.”

For Chua, playing Adie is also like revisiting an old version of himself—one marked by peer pressure, innocent crushes, and the thrill of first love. “I’ve had those encounters before—stealing glances at your crush and all. But it’s all in the past now,” he laughs. “I think I’ve matured since then.” That nostalgia is part of the magic of Bagets The Musical: reliving the joy, energy, and recklessness of youth.

Of course, stepping into such an iconic role comes with pressure. “The pressure went higher, but it’s also a great challenge,” he shares. “It means I get to give my best and portray someone as legendary as Aga Muhlach. I’m excited and deeply honored.”

Chua joins the new-generation cast of Bagets The Musical, alternating as Adie with another VIVA artist to be announced soon. The production will run from January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Also starring are Noel Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert, Milo Cruz and Migo Valid as Tonton, Ethan David and KD Estrada as Arnel, and Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf as Topee.

Bagets The Musical is produced by VIVA Communications Inc., The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts, in collaboration with Philippine Educational Theater Association Plus. It is directed by Maribel Legarda, with playwright J-mee Katanyag and musical director Vince Lim. The production is also supported by Sun Life Philippines.

To learn more about the show and its cast, follow VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar), and Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sign up for the waitlist now at newportworldresorts.com/bagets-musical-waitlist to be first in line for tickets.

Read More

Catch the Topee Fever with Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf

The barkada gets a major boost of cool with Topee—the martial arts ace and athletic heartthrob of Bagets. First brought to life by J.C. Bonnin in the 1984 film, Topee now makes his much-awaited stage debut in Bagets The Musical. Taking on the role are two rising stars—Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf—who are ready to charm audiences and capture the thrill of teenage discovery all over again.

Sam Shoaf, JC Bonnin and Jeff Moses

Embodying Topee’s Hiligaynon roots with Jeff Moses

For Jeff Moses, portraying Topee is more than just stepping into a beloved character—it’s also about honoring shared roots. Born and raised in Negros Occidental, Moses deeply relates to Topee’s longing for home.

 

“Puli ‘ta Bacolod. Madalas ‘yung sinasabi niya sa nanay niya (Let’s go home to Bacolod. That’s what he often tells his mother),” Moses shares. “Ako ramdam ko ‘yung bigat no’n kasi tuwing holidays na lang din ako nakakauwi sa’min (I can really feel the weight of that because I only get to go home during the holidays).”

Since signing with GMA Sparkle Artist Center, Moses has steadily built a name in film and television. He earned Best Actor at the 1st Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival for Under a Piaya Moon, and appeared in hit shows like Abot Kamay na Pangarap and Magpakailanman. In 2023, he was named Outstanding Youth of the Philippines at the Philippine Outstanding Men & Women Awards.

“Topee is kind, mature, and treats his friends like family,” he reflects. “But deep inside, he carries a hidden vulnerability.”

That complexity is exactly what Moses hopes audiences will connect with. “Even if life pushes us to grow up fast, I want people to realize that being young at heart never really goes away. We can still feel joy or sadness as purely as we did when we were kids.”

For the 24-year-old actor, Bagets The Musical marks his first theater experience—a challenge he’s both nervous and excited about. “On stage, there are no take twos. Everything is raw and live. That’s what makes it so powerful.”

 
Finding Topee in Sam Shoaf
While Jeff Moses finds Topee in his roots, Sam Shoaf finds him in his spark. A self-confessed fan of the ’80s, Shoaf has long been fascinated by the era’s music, fashion, and energy.

“Everything was just full of life back then,” he says. “When I first watched Bagets, that’s what I saw in Topee, too.”

 

Shoaf imagines that if Topee were around today, he’d be a fitness-loving, TikTok-savvy guy who never missed out on fun. Like Topee, Shoaf also loves martial arts—something he showcased in his role in Ang Mutya ng Section E.

“I see a lot of myself in Topee,” he explains. “We’re both active, but we also tend to keep certain parts of our lives private.”

For Shoaf, this emotional complexity is at the core of the musical. “Bagets The Musical is really about us. Different timelines, different circumstances, but the same story of growing up, figuring things out, and learning who we are.”

Shoaf first captured audiences as a contestant on The Voice Kids Philippines and later on Your Face Sounds Familiar. Now, he’s ready to bring that mix of music, energy, and heart to the stage.
A timeless coming-of-age story

Through Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf, Topee returns as both a fighter and a dreamer, embodying the highs and lows of adolescence. Together with their castmates, they’ll bring to life the messy, thrilling, and unforgettable ride of growing up—proof that the magic of youth never truly disappears, it just evolves.

Bagets The Musical runs from January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Joining Moses and Shoaf are Noel Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert, Milo Cruz and Migo Valid as Tonton, and Ethan David and KD Estrada as Arnel.

The musical is a joint production of VIVA Communications Inc., The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts, in collaboration with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Plus. It is directed by Maribel Legarda, written by J-mee Katanyag, and scored by musical director Vince Lim, with the support of Sun Life Philippines.

Stay updated by following VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar), and Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Sign up for the ticket waitlist now via Newport World Resorts.

Read More

Meet Arnel, the Original Conyo Boy of Bagets The Musical

The barkada of Bagets The Musical just got bigger—and a little more polished. The spotlight now falls on Arnel, the suave teen first portrayed by Raymond Lauchengco in the 1984 classic. Torn between his own dreams and his mother’s high expectations, Arnel returns to the stage for a new generation, this time brought to life by Ethan David and KD Estrada.

Ethan David Steps Into the Role
Known for his work with the P-pop group G.A.T. and TV credits like Seducing Drake Palma, Ang Mutya ng Section E, and Avenues of the Diamond, Ethan David is no stranger to performing. Yet theater presents a fresh challenge.

“I did theater abroad, but since coming home, I’ve focused more on screen work,” he shares. “On TV, subtle expressions can work. On stage, I have to make my movements bigger and project my voice for the audience.”

 

Rather than shy away, Ethan leans in—training his voice, building stamina, and channeling Arnel’s loyalty to his friends. “Arnel’s always all-out for his barkada,” he says. “I want the audience to feel that energy and see he’s there for them, whether in big gestures or small ones.”

Like his character, Ethan knows what it’s like to wrestle with big choices. “Despite his flaws, I hope the audience sees how he musters up courage and motivates others to do the same,” he adds.

KD Estrada Finds His Match
For KD Estrada, stepping into Arnel’s shoes feels almost effortless. “When I auditioned, my number one pick was Arnel because I see myself in him,” he says. “If he were real right now, he would be exactly like me.”

KD admires Arnel’s quiet strength—fun but responsible, never one to give in to peer pressure. “In the film, you can always see his hesitance,” he notes. “He doesn’t just do things because they’re ‘in.’”

 

That self-awareness comes with a cost, something KD understands. “I’m grateful to have a strong support system at home,” he shares. “But we all go through that phase where we don’t know whether to follow our own dreams or what other people want for us.”

This marks KD’s second theater outing after his debut in Walang Aray with Alexa Ilacad. He’s also appeared in series such as Unloving You, Bola Bola, Run to Me, and Pira-pirasong Paraiso. His biggest takeaway from playing Arnel? “The friends you make in high school are some of the best friends you’ll ever have.”

A Timeless Coming-of-Age Story
Arnel’s journey proves that the struggles of growing up—finding courage, balancing expectations, and staying true to yourself—never really fade. With Ethan David and KD Estrada sharing the role, his story is set to resonate with both longtime fans and first-time viewers.

Bagets The Musical runs January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, with more cast reveals coming soon. Joining David and Estrada are Noel Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert, and Milo Cruz and Migo Valid as Tonton.

Produced by VIVA Communications Inc., The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts, and guided by the creative team of PETA Plus—director Maribel Legarda, playwright J-mee Katanyag, and musical director Vince Lim—this new staging promises to capture the heart and nostalgia of the original film.

Be first in line for tickets by joining the waitlist at newportworldresorts.com/bagets-musical-waitlist, and follow @vivaartistsagency, @philippinestar, and @newportworldresorts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates.

Read More

Milo Cruz and Migo Valid to play Bagets’ legendary daredevil in Bagets The Musical

Every barkada needs that one friend who stirs up trouble but somehow saves the day. In Bagets The Musical, that spark belongs to Tonton—the resident daredevil first made famous by William Martinez in the 1984 classic. Now, two rising performers are set to breathe new life into the character as VIVA Communications Inc., The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts bring the iconic film to the stage.

Meet Milo Cruz and Migo Valid
Sharing the role of Tonton are Milo Cruz and Migo Valid, both ready to charm thousands of theatergoers with their own spin on the fun-loving troublemaker.

Milo Cruz and Migo Valid

For Milo, Bagets The Musical arrives just as he prepares to debut with the P-pop group Xerenade. “Tonton is a repeater, yes,” he says, “but if we move past his kalokohan, we see a normal kid who learns life the hard way.” He remembers the carefree energy of high school—late assignments and long hangouts—but also the inevitability of growing up. “We can’t stay kids forever,” he adds. Nervous yet excited, Milo promises to draw on his singing and dancing background to give audiences a layered, heartfelt Tonton.

Film actor Migo Valid (Hold Me Close, A Glimpse of Forever, Penduko) makes his theater debut with the same role. “I just wanted to make the panel smile,” he recalls of his first audition at PETA. “Being cast as Tonton is such a blessing.” Migo admits he relates to the character’s restless spirit: “Back in high school, I had my wild moments, too. But those experiences helped me grow.” Like Tonton, he’s had moments of doubt about his path, but his philosophy is simple—keep moving forward.

A Musical Blast from the Past
Bagets The Musical promises a nostalgic journey to a pre-Internet era, when friendships were forged face-to-face and every adventure felt bigger than life. Alongside Milo and Migo, Noel Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez will play Gilbert, with more cast members to be announced soon.

Guided by the creative team of PETA Plus—director Maribel Legarda, playwright J-mee Katanyag, and musical director Vince Lim—the production will run January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Fans eager to relive the magic can join the waitlist now at newportworldresorts.com/bagets-musical-waitlist to be first in line for tickets. For updates, follow VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar), and Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Get ready to meet the new Tonton—and fall for his charm all over again.

Read More

Newport World Resorts gives Bagets' Gilbert

Newport World Resorts has officially revealed the first members of the barkada for its highly anticipated stage musical Bagets, inspired by the iconic 1984 teen film. Taking on the role of Gilbert—the shy but mischievous heart of the ‘80s clique originally played by Herbert Bautista—are two exciting young talents who promise to bring their own spark to the character.

Tomas Rodriguez, a rising name in the P-pop scene, will make his theater debut as Gilbert. Known as a member of the chart-topping boy group Alamat, Tomas has wowed fans nationwide with his smooth vocals and dynamic dance skills. Alamat’s distinct blend of modern pop and proudly Filipino flair has taken them to major music festivals and TV appearances, making Tomas a natural fit for the energy and nostalgia of Bagets.

 

 

Tomas shares his process in auditioning for the role.

Sharing the role is Noel Comia Jr., a multi-talented actor and singer whose credentials span both stage and screen. Noel is no stranger to theater, having earned critical acclaim for performances in productions such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Matilda, and The Secret Garden. His versatility and powerhouse vocals have also made him a fixture in concerts and musicals across the country, ensuring that his take on Gilbert will be heartfelt and memorable.

 

Ticket prices will be announced soon. For updates on show schedules and exclusive previews, follow Newport World Resorts on their official social media channels. This fresh, music-filled revival of Bagets is set to bring back the vibrant spirit of the ‘80s—don’t miss your chance to relive the era with a whole new generation of stars coming this 2026.

Read More

"Bagets: The Musical" Opens Auditions for Lead and Ensemble Roles

Newport World Resorts, VIVA, and The Philippine Star revive the spirit of the ‘80s in a new stage production

The iconic '80s teen movie that defined a generation is hitting the stage! Bagets: The Musical is calling all young, talented performers to audition for lead and ensemble roles in this exciting new production.

Open auditions will be held at the PETA Theater Center, 5 Sunnyside Drive, Quezon City, on the following dates:

• July 14 (Sunday) from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

• July 15 (Monday) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

The production is looking for male and female performers aged 16 to 22 years old who can sing, act, and capture the energy and spirit of the beloved teen classic.

Audition Guidelines:

• Prepare 16 bars each of one ‘80s ballad and one upbeat ‘80s song — OPM or foreign.

• Bring your CV, headshot, and a full-body photo.

Directed and produced in collaboration with Newport World Resorts, VIVA, and The Philippine Star, Bagets: The Musical aims to bring back the nostalgia of the ‘80s with a modern twist — full of vibrant music, youthful energy, and heartfelt stories that still resonate today.

Don't miss this chance to be part of a cultural milestone that celebrates friendship, coming-of-age, and the music that defined an era.

For updates and more information, follow the official pages of Newport World Resorts and Bagets: The Musical.

Read More