What Andres Muhlach would tell young Aga
Andres Muhlach has lost count of how many times he watched “Bagets”—the 1984 coming-of-age film that catapulted his father, Aga Muhlach, to stardom. He loves the story, the energy, and the bold, colorful fashion that was unmistakable of that era. As a child, he used to copy Aga’s character, Adie, especially in that classroom scene where he rocked a red baseball cap with his uniform.
But more than anything, he was fascinated by his father—a wide-eyed 14-year-old back then, but already brimming with promise. “Natutuwa ako kasi I really looked up to him growing up,” Muhlach tells Lifestyle Inquirer. “I feel like he was enjoying his job and craft as much as he could.”
That Muhlach is now bringing the same role to the stage in the upcoming “Bagets: The Musical” is nothing short of “surreal,” he says—as if everything has unexpectedly come full circle. “Dad’s career took off with this movie, so I feel blessed that I’m now playing his character,” he says. “He’s excited to see how the cast and I will pull it off.”
Jumping in with both feet
At 23, Muhlach is now much older than his dad was when “Bagets” first hit the cinemas. So, in the fantastical chance he ends up time-traveling back to 1984, he wouldn’t ask for advice on how to embody the charming, romantic boy next door that is Adie. He would simply tell him, “Keep it up.”
“Everything he would experience and go through in life, everything that happened, would be a stepping stone to where he is now, to the point where my sister (Atasha) and I came along,” he muses.
If anything, it’s actually Muhlach who wants to take something with him, like the love his father had for acting early on. He hopes to carry that same spirit as he forges his own path, because truth be told, he’s “very new” and still has much to learn about the industry.
Muhlach has been professionally acting for only less than two years. Though he has already starred in a series (“Ang Mutya ng Section E”), a sitcom (“Da Pers Family”), and, most recently, a movie (“Minamahal”), it’s no great stretch to assume that theater is unlike anything he has done before.
If his audition—the line readings and on-the-spot singing—“scared” him at first, things would only grow more daunting and exacting when the curtains rise and the rigors of doing multiple live shows start to kick in. It would be nice to say that he’s completely ready. And he tries to be—always. But the truth is, “you can never really be ready” until you jump in with both feet.
“The opportunity can come at any moment,” Muhlach says. “But it really comes down to your willingness to learn. And it’s through the hard work you put into everything that you’re able to accomplish what you want in this industry.”
Finding his footing
He may have jumped in with both feet—but not without a creative net to help cushion his career leap. Presented by Viva, “Bagets: The Musical” is staged by PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). Plus, it is led by director Maribel Legarda, musical director Vince Lim, and playwright J-Mee Katanyag.
And it’s with their guidance that the young actor finds reassurance—and eventually, his footing onstage.
The intensive workshops he has begun to undergo, Muhlach says, are helping “close the gap” between working in television and film and venturing into theater. “The process, the preparations are all new to us. But I believe we’re [making progress] slowly but surely…We want to make sure that we’re prepared come show time,” relates Muhlach, who alternates the role of Adie with Mico Hendrix Chua.
While admittedly not yet a “super” singer, Muhlach has a natural affinity for music and has a surprisingly deep appreciation for 1970s and 1980s music—including such Michael Jackson hits: “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Off the Wall,” and “Rock with You.” He’s also into musicals like “Hamilton.”
“I believe I have improved my singing, especially compared to last year,” Muhlach says—thanks in part to all the mall shows, fan meetings, and concerts he has been doing with his screen partner, Ashtine Olviga, while promoting their projects. “I wasn’t confident singing in public, but doing those events helped me grow more comfortable.”
Pop culture impact
Set to run from Jan. 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, “Bagets: The Musical” hopes to recapture and reimagine the spirit of the beloved film for a new generation. The story follows a tight-knit barkada of five high school friends as they navigate adolescence while balancing family expectations, friendships, and love.
The group also includes Gilbert, the geeky class clown, originally played by Herbert Bautista, now portrayed by Noel Comia Jr. and Alamat’s Tomas Rodriguez; Tonton, the reckless daredevil “repeater” popularized by William Martinez and currently played by Milo Cruz and Migo Valid; Arnel, the rich kid dealing with family pressure, originally portrayed by Raymond Lauchengco, now alternated by KD Estrada and GAT’s Ethan David; and finally, Topee, the headstrong martial arts enthusiast first played by J.C. Bonnin and now brought to life onstage by Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf.
“It’s about building the bond we have—our chemistry, above all, is what matters most,” Muhlach points out. “We have been working hard. I have been learning from these guys, and learning more about myself in the process.”
The original “Bagets,” directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, was a landmark film that redefined the coming-of-age genre in the Philippines. It made stars out of young newcomers and, at the same time, helped spark trends in fashion, music, youth culture, and language.
So beyond the technical demands of theater, the big challenge, Muhlach says, is reminding longtime fans—and introducing new audiences—to the impact the film had on Filipino pop culture. And despite the advances in technology and all the changes that have come in the 40 years since, one unifying thread continues to connect everyone.
“We were all young once, after all,” Muhlach says.
