Philippine Star president and CEO Miguel Belmonte, Viva Communications chairman and CEO Vic del Rosario, and Newport World Resorts executive chairman Kevin Tan are set to bring Bagets: The Musical on stage at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in 2026.
More than four decades since the theatrical release of the blockbuster film Bagets, the teen comedy-drama hopes to make its way back into Pinoy fans' hearts with a musical adaptation of director Maryo J. Delos Reyes’s iconic 1984 coming-of-age film.
Bagets, a Viva Films production, starred then up-and-coming idols Aga Muhlach, William Martinez, J.C. Bonnin, Herbert Bautista, and Raymond Lauchengco as a high school barkada who all come from different backgrounds and face the typical adventures and misadventures of teenage life together.
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Last June 9, Newport World Resorts joined Viva Communications Inc. and The Philippine STAR in a formal signing ceremony to present Bagets: The Musical. It was attended by their top executives including Viva chairman and CEO Vicente del Rosario Jr., STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte, Viva president and COO Vincent del Rosario III, and PhilSTAR Media Group executive vice president Lucien Dy Tioco.
“The partnership between Viva, Newport World Resorts, and The Philippine STAR is a testament to the power of synergy in the Philippine entertainment industry. Together, we’re bringing a piece of Filipino cinematic history to the stage in a way that’s both nostalgic and groundbreaking,” said Viva Communications chairman and CEO Vic del Rosario.
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“With Bagets: The Musical, we are not just producing a show; we are creating a cultural moment that speaks to a generation and inspires the next. We see great value in collaboration, especially when it champions Filipino creativity on a larger stage. This partnership strengthens our vision of positioning the Philippines as the Broadway of Asia by staging more original productions and engaging more partners in the world of theater. Together, we are helping build a thriving and sustainable performing arts industry,” added Newport World Resorts executive chairman Kevin Tan.
In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Viva executive Vic Del Rosario stressed that the musical will be an exciting project with new talents to watch out for.
"‘Yun ang kinagisnan namin nung kami ay bagets pa in the past. Panahon namin ‘yan eh, ang lakas ng nostalgia vibe nitong project na ito. If you remember, the original Bagets launched three or four actors. Sa Viva side, doon kami na-e-excite, ang maka-discover ng bagong talents, lalo pa ito na may requirements sa singing. Gusto namin na ‘yung DNA ng original, nandyan pa rin. Siyempre modern na,” he revealed.
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Last November, Bagets original cast member Raymund Lauchengco reunited with former love team partner Eula Valdes and other cast members like Aga Muhlach, Herbert Bautista, and Ramon Christopher when they went up on stage during his successful ‘Just Got Lucky’ concert.