Youth on parade in ‘Bagets the Musical’
The arts influence one another. A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel can become a classic film (an outstanding example would be Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind”). Our greatest epic poem, Balagtas’ “Florante at Laura” has been transformed into an acclaimed production by Ballet Manila.
Great films like Bernal’s “Himala” and Brocka’s “Insiang” have become successful stage plays. And now there is the cult 1984 movie “Bagets,” one of the box office hits of that year. It told the story of five students and their turbulent transition from boyhood to manhood while in their senior year at high school.
“Bagets” (youth, teenagers) became a household word. The film was directed by Maryo de los Reyes and written by Jake Tordesillas.
There was an immediate remake and, later, a TV series (2011-2012). “Bagets” brought five young actors into the limelight: Aga Muhlach, Herbert Bautista, William Martinez, Bernard Bonnin and Raymond Lauchengco.
And now that iconic movie has morphed into a stage play, “Bagets the Musical,” a production of Newport World Resorts. The play is directed by Maribel Legarda and written by J. Mee Katanyag. Musical director is Vince Lim, with choreography by JM Cabling. Live music is provided by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Rodel Colmenar.
Sons and mothers
The new bagets are Andres Muhlach and Mico Hendrix Chua (as Adie); Ethan David Santos and KD Estrada (as Arnel); Tomas Rodriguez and Noel Comia Jr. (as Gilbert); Milo Cruz and Migo Valid (as Tonton); and Sam Shoaf and Jeff Moses (as Topee). The mothers (“ermats”) also play an important role in the play, and form a mahjong club: Neomi Gonzales is Ana (Topee’s mother); Kakai Bautista and Natasha Cabrera alternate as Delia (Tonton’s mother); Ring Antonio as Luz (Gilbert’s mother); and Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Vingie (Adie’s mother). And Gil Onido is “erpat.” I did not see the 1984 film or the TV series, so this musical play was a fresh experience for me. The first part of the production was loud, with the mothers screaming. Production number followed production number, with lively choreography bristling with energy. The music was a mix of original songs, familiar melodies and adaptations of 1980s hits.
Conflicts, misunderstanding
It was in the second part of the three-hour comedy-drama (attended by a full house) that the story really got going.
There are conflicts, misunderstandings with parents, and the joys and pains of first love.
There are scenes of a demo against demolition, with the bagets arrested by the police; of a class on sex education, with the appropriate illustration; and of the youths being serviced in a massage parlor.
Tragedy strikes when the girlfriend of one of the bagets is killed in a vehicular accident.
Transformed by their experiences, all problems apparently solved, the five bagets are ready for that joyful, feel-good graduation. Class of 1985.
The audience was a cross-section between the young and the older generation, was enthusiastic but grew hushed during the second part, when the story threatened to become dramatic.
Curtain call, however, was a joyous event, with the original stars like Raymond Lauchengco, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Herbert Bautista, Eula Valdes and Chanda Romero present to greet the young actors. The musical hopes to bridge generations, from Gen X to Gen Z. “Even my professors in college all watched ‘Bagets’,” chimed in Milo Cruz, who plays Tonton.
The torch is passed to a younger generation. “Bagets the Musical” adds to the growing list of significant musical plays by Newport World Resorts (this time with Peta Plus). It will run at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Villamor, Pasay City, until March 22.
