More than 40 years after the release of Bagets, one of Philippine cinema’s most iconic coming-of-age films, the story returns in a stage adaptation that puts the spotlight on the mothers of the original barkada.
Bagets The Musical follows Virgie, Anna, Ditas, Luz, and Delia, once background characters who now confront themes of motherhood, communication, and raising children—issues that remain relevant today. The show presents a spectrum of ’80s Filipina womanhood, including working mothers, high society wives, single parents, and hustlers.
The cast includes Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Virgie (Adie’s mother), Neomi Gonzales as Anna (Topee’s mother), Mayen Bustamante-Cadd as Ditas (Arnel’s mother), Ring Antonio as Luz (Gilbert’s mother), and Kakai Bautista and Natasha Cabrera alternating as Delia (Tonton’s mother).
Guevara-Laforteza, a multi-award-winning performer with international and local theater experience, plays the career-driven Virgie. “I have to find myself in the character so that it is genuine,” she said. She has performed in West End productions such as Miss Saigon and toured Asia for Saturday Night Fever and Disney in Concert. In the Philippines, she starred in musicals including Ang Huling El Bimbo, Rak of Aegis, and Come from Away.
the mother of Migo Valid’s Tonton
of Jeff Moses’s Topee
Gonzales, a Gawad Buhay and LEAF award winner, portrays Anna, a single mother and ambitious actress, drawing from her experience as a teacher, freelancer, and homeschool mom. Bustamante-Cadd’s Ditas grapples with tradition, image, and accepting her son’s choices, backed by over 30 years of professional theater experience.
the mother of Ethan David’s character, Arnel
of Tomas Rodriguez’s Gilbert
Antonio’s Luz balances financial strain and a gambling husband, while Bautista and Cabrera’s Delia shows the love and fear of failing her family. Bautista, known for Rak of Aegis and TV and film roles, and Cabrera, a UP Theater alumna and Gawad Kumintang awardee, bring emotional and vocal precision to the role.
The production is staged by PETA and directed by Maribel Legarda, with playwright J-mee Katanyag and musical director Vince Lim. It is produced by Newport World Resorts in partnership with Philippine STAR and VIVA Communications and presented in cooperation with Sun Life Philippines.
Bagets The Musical runs from Jan. 23 until March at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available at the Newport World Resorts Box Office, Ticketworld, and Ticket2Me, ranging from P1,000 (Bronze) to P4,000 (SVIP).
