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.

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When it rains, it pours: 3 comfort foods + gut care musts

Rainy days can feel like a downer — gray skies, slow routines, and moods that sink as quickly as the temperature. Most of the time, this season also brings the inevitable cough and colds and a general feeling of being under the weather.

But every downpour has its perks: the little rituals and guilty pleasures that make staying in worth savoring.

You could curl up with a book, nap the afternoon away, or binge your favorite shows — but nothing lifts spirits quite like comfort food. Warm, hearty dishes have a way of hugging you from the inside out, turning gloomy weather into cozy, joy-filled moments.

Many Filipino favorites are sure to spark memories of rainy afternoons spent at home or gathered around the table with family. And sure, indulging feels amazing — but with a few tweaks, your go-to rainy day comfort food can also be a little kinder to your gut and help give your immune system a little boost:

1. Champorado with Tuyo

Champorado — the chocolate rice porridge we all grew up with — is a certified rainy-day classic. Sweet, warm, and nostalgic on its own, but pair it with salty tuyo and you’ve got the ultimate comfort combo: cozy, homey, and the perfect pick-me-up for any gloomy morning or lazy afternoon.

To make this recipe a bit kinder to your gut, try swapping out the sticky white rice with whole grains like brown rice and avoiding using packaged tsokolate, and using pure dark chocolate instead.

2. Pandesal with Hot Tsokolate or Kape

Pandesal is the ultimate Filipino staple, loved by all, rain or shine, young or old. Soft, warm, and endlessly versatile, it pairs well with just about anything. But nothing beats the classic combo: pandesal with hot tsokolate or kape, a simple yet comforting duo that instantly brightens hazy mornings and gloomy meriendas.

Give this classic a gut-friendly twist—swap your pandesal for whole grain, go for pure dark choco in your tsokolate, or shake things up with a soothing peppermint or ginger tea.

3. Lugaw or Arroz Caldo

Lugaw or Arroz Caldo is more than just food — it’s a hug in a bowl. It brings back memories of mom taking care of you when you were sick, but its soothing, hearty, and easy-to-digest goodness also makes it the perfect companion for chilly, cozy nights when you just need to warm up from the inside out.

Give your Lugaw or Arroz Caldo a gut-friendly upgrade with brown rice, lean chicken breast, and even a handful of legumes, like peas or chickpeas, for extra goodness.

Cozy Bites and Gut Care Musts: Finding Balance on Rainy Days

Rainy-day cravings calling? Indulge away — just keep it balanced so your gut can weather the storm, too.

Comfort foods may lift your mood, but don’t forget your gut needs extra love when your immune system is down. Rainy days also bring a higher risk of water contamination from leaks, floods, or stagnant puddles during those momentary pauses, which means this is also the time when your drinking water isn’t always the cleanest.

So, aside from hydrating and making your fave treats a little more gut-friendly, a daily dose of probiotics like Erceflora might also be helpful with proper diet and exercise.

Erceflora Probiotics with billions of 4-strain Intelli-spores is for all ages above 6 months old. It aims to aid in the enhancement of natural resistance to intestinal infections, the enhancement of intestinal ecology, the improvement of digestion, and the improvement of lactose malabsorption with proper diet and exercise.

Erceflora Gut Defense helps improve digestion with 2 billion Intelli-spores—especially during routine changes or travel with proper diet and exercise. Erceflora Gut Restore delivers 4 billion Intelli-spores— one mini bottle per day for 7 days from the onset of gut infection symptoms or as directed by a physician with proper diet and exercise.

When it pours, it’s the perfect excuse to cozy up, dig in, but always remember to keep your gut happy and healthy too.

MAHALAGANG PAALALA: ANG ERCEFLORA GUT DEFENSE AT ERCEFLORA GUT RESTORE AY HINDI GAMOT AT HINDI DAPAT GAMITING PANGGAMOT SA ANUMANG URI NG SAKIT.

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Don’t miss the One Piece Adventures at SM City Marikina until October 12

Fans of One Piece still have the chance to experience an exciting Grand Line adventure at SM City Marikina’s One Piece Adventures, happening at the Mall Atrium until October 12. The exhibit, in partnership with Toei Animation and Funko, brings the world of the Straw Hat Pirates to life through life-sized statues, a massive Gear 5 Luffy inflatable, and exclusive One Piece merchandise and Funko Pop! collectibles — a must-visit for fans and families alike.

Shoppers can also look forward to meeting their favorite characters at the One Piece Mascot Meet & Greet on October 11, and 12, where fans bring their favorite Straw Hats to life. Gather your nakamas and join the adventure at SM City Marikina — open for a limited time only until October 12.

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The Manila Hotel Unwraps the Holidays with Christmas Hampers Early Bird Offer

The Manila Hotel, the Grand Dame of the Philippines, is setting the stage for a festive season of giving with the unveiling of its Christmas Hampers. Thoughtfully prepared with gourmet delights and signature treats, these hampers make for elegant, memorable gifts, perfect for holiday gatherings and corporate giving.

To make gifting even more rewarding, The Manila Hotel is offering an Early Bird Offer of up to 30% off on its hampers until November 15, 2025.

The Deluxe Hamper, a charming choice for spreading holiday cheer, is available at Php 3,104 nett from the regular Php 3,880 nett. Inside are festive favorites such as Food for the Gods, Fruitcake, Christmas Cookies, Dark Chocolate Postcard, Christmas Chocolate Balls, and a bottle of red wine.

For those looking for a more elevated selection, the Premium Hamper is offered at Php 5,516 nett from the regular Php 7,880 nett. This set features a Regular Prestige Card, The Manila Hotel Façade Tote Bag, The Manila Hotel Tumbler, Fruitcake, Christmas Cookies, Chocolate Santa, Christmas Tree Mediants, The Manila Hotel Coffee Drip, and a bottle of red wine.

Available for pick-up from November 20, 2025 to January 5, 2026, The Manila Hotel Christmas Hampers are designed to capture the warmth, elegance, and joy of the season, making them ideal presents for family, friends, and clients.

For orders and inquiries, guests may call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500, email restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

Terms and conditions apply. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-238379 Series of 2025.

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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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Disney Friends Unwrap New Holiday Surprises At Hong Kong Disneyland 20 th Anniversary

For the most dazzling magical Christmas Party of all,
double the visit with just HK$100 on top of a day ticket

Join the year-long 20th anniversary celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL), where every holiday season brings a new reason to party! From the anniversary-only concert-style show “Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle!”, to the park’s largest-ever “Friendtastic!” parade, leading up to the grandest nighttime spectacular “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky,” each experience is crafted to dazzle like never before.

Adding to the excitement, guests from the Philippines are invited to celebrate at “A Disney Christmas” from November 14, 2025 to January 4, 2026. A whimsical winter celebration hosted by your favorite Disney Friends, where Mickey and Friends, the Arendelle royals from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from Disney Animation’s Zootopia welcomes you and your loved ones for a Christmas party filled with dazzling Christmas trees and magical snowfall.

With one surprise after another and parties within parties all year long, one day isn’t enough to soak in the vibe of the Most Magical Party of All! Enjoy a chance to double the magic with the “Non-stop 2-Day Fun Ticket” by adding HK$100 to upgrade a regular day ticket into a 2-day visit filled with never-ending festive fun.

Anna, Elsa and Kristoff Sparkle at World of Frozen

Step into the season with the most sparkly Christmas celebration yet, inspired by the magic of Disney Animation’s Frozen as the beloved authentic Arendellian holiday celebration returns.

This year, the festive celebration will extend to Forest in Arendelle as Kristoff begins the party by unveiling a shimmering ice sculpture of Sven. Guests can meet Kristoff up close, twirl through magical snowfall alongside Anna and Elsa who will be in their winter attire, as well as the jolly citizens of Arendelle, bringing their beloved world to life.

Sparkling Christmas decorations, snow-capped Christmas trees, and adorable snowgies will fill every corner of the world’s first and largest World of Frozen, creating a truly immersive holiday experience.

Disney Friends Add New Surprises to Disney Traditions

From their sparkling anniversary party looks to festive holiday outfits, Mickey and Friends are switching it up to impress festival celebrators. Woody, Buzz, and Jessie in Toy Story Land will even debut brand-new Christmas party looks!

Over in Fantasyland, Cinderella Carousel will shimmer with seasonal cheer where enchanting Christmas touches will adorn the ceiling and carousel poles, and Ye Olde Christmas Market will transform into a glowing holiday wonderland filled with gingerbread, Christmas Cookies and more!

Led by Santa Goofy, the treasured “A Holiday Wish-Come-True" Tree Lighting Ceremony will also make its return, featuring a heartwarming Frozen surprise. Guests will be enchanted by the beloved dazzling drone effect and magical snowfall along Main Street, U.S.A., which will be further elevated with new elements added for the 20th anniversary on top of Christmas magic.

The joy continues with the time-limited “Disney Christmas Live in Concert!” where Santa Goofy and Disney Friends will be joined by the Hong Kong Children's Choir and Cantopop singers, who will individually take the stage on each of three consecutive weekends starting November 22, leading guests on a star-studded, melodious Christmas journey filled with beloved Disney songs.

Ring in 2026 with the most magical countdown of all during the “New Year's Eve Countdown Party” filled with music and festive cheer! As the final hours of 2025 unfold, guests will gather at the Castle of Magical Dreams for the spectacular anniversary-only “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky.” Mickey and Friends will join and make a magical appearance to lead the countdown – fired up with pyrotechnics, new projections and drones.

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde Throw the Wildest Zootopia Celebration

This November, with the release of Zootopia 2, the dynamic duo Judy and Nick are hosting the season’s most thrilling celebration at HKDL, and everyone is invited. Kick off the party with them at the “Friendtastic!” parade. Meet the duo in Adventureland with all-new Zootopia-themed photo backdrop, donning their brand-new outfits from the sequel’s adventure! Indulge in themed treats from the new Zootopia outdoor vending cart, where you might even find Officer Clawhauser’s favorite – donuts! Join them at the party and discover all-new exclusive Zootopia-themed merchandise, delicious treats, and unexpected experiences that will have you howling with delight.

Discover the festive offers and begin planning your unforgettable Disney Christmas celebration:

2 Nights Plus Special: 30% Off 
Enjoy up to 30% off Flexible Rate when you book 2 or more consecutive nights at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Hotels. Book here: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/offers-discounts/two-nights-plus-offer/

Non-stop 2-Day Fun Ticket
Enter the park two days in a row by adding just HK$100 to the price of a regular 1-day ticket. Book here: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/offers-discounts/non-stop-2-day-fun-ticket/

Get ready for a holiday celebration filled with spectacular shows, beloved Disney Friends, exciting attractions and create even more magical memories. It’s a magical Christmas party like no other!

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Levi's® and Disney Pixar Toy Story Launch Iconic Collaboration

Exclusive Early Access for Levi’s® Red Tab™ Members on Levi.com.ph

Get ready to relive childhood memories in style. Levi’s® is teaming up with Disney Pixar’s Toy Story to launch a special collection that brings beloved characters like Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of the gang to life through fashion.

Levi’s® Red Tab™ Members will enjoy exclusive early access to the collection from October 3 at 10:00 AM until October 4 at 9:59 AM, available only on Levi.com.ph. This special 24-hour window gives members the chance to shop their favorite pieces before anyone else.

The highly anticipated Levi’s® x Toy Story collection officially drops to the public starting October 4 at 10:00 AM, both online and in select Levi’s® stores nationwide.

 

 

Celebrating timeless friendship, imagination, and play, the collaboration features iconic Toy Story designs reimagined with Levi’s® signature craftsmanship—making it a must-have for fans of all ages.

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