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.

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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.

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