For over four decades, Bagets has remained one of Philippine cinema’s most iconic coming-of-age films. Audiences still remember the bright energy of the barkada, the school scenes, the prom sequence, and the way the film captured the feeling of being young in the ’80s. The characters Adie, Topee, Tonton, Arnel, and Gilbert have lived on in popular culture, and the movie continues to be discovered by new generations.
In its newest stage adaptation, the creative team offers audiences a new perspective on the five women behind the boys’ journey. This time, the ermats, or mothers, of the original barkada move from the sidelines to the center of the story in Bagets The Musical.
The musical presents a spectrum of ’80s Filipina womanhood—working moms, high society wives, single parents, hustlers, and creatives. A talented line-up of actresses brings these characters to life, including Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Virgie (Adie’s mother), Neomi Gonzales as Anna (Topee’s mother), Kakai Bautista and Natasha Cabrera alternating as Delia (Tonton’s mother), Mayen Bustamante-Cadd as Ditas (Arnel’s mother), and Ring Antonio as Luz (Gilbert’s mother).
Carla Guevara-Laforteza is Virgie, the mother of Andres Muhlach and Mico Chua’s Adie.
Carla Guevara-Laforteza is Virgie, the quintessential ’80s working mother who is educated, constantly busy, and terrified of stillness. As a multi-award-winning performing artist, Carla brings three decades of acclaimed theater work to the role, having graced the international theater scene with roles such as Kim and Gigi in the original West End production of Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, as the Club singer and Flo Manero for the Asian tour of Saturday Night Fever, and as one of the official vocalists for the Disney in Concert tour around Asia, to name a few.
In the Philippines, she has starred in original Filipino musicals such as Ang Huling El Bimbo, Joseph the Dreamer, Rak of Aegis, IBARRA the Musical, One More Chance: The Musical, Binondo o Tsinoy Musical, 3 Stars and a Sun, The Quest for the Adarna, Come from Away, and Into The Woods. Carla staged her first major solo concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as part of the “Triple Threat Series” in 2024 to celebrate her 30 years in the industry.
Neomi Gonzales is Anna, mother of Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf’s Topee.
Neomi Gonzales is Anna, a single mother and ambitious actress, constantly performing for the world. Her defining moment is choosing her son over a career-making Brocka film—a dilemma women still face today amid social pressure and standards.
Neomi is a Gawad Buhay and LEAF Award-winning performer known for her roles in Walang Aray, Rak of Aegis, One More Chance: The Musical, Rose, Tabing Ilog The Musical, Eto Na: Musicakal nAPO sila, and Himala: Isang Musikal, where she also reprised her role as Chayong in the 2024 film adaptation of Isang Himala. As a long-time PETA artist-teacher, vocal coach, and homeschool mom, she brings insight to the life of a performer balancing many roles.
Mayen Bustamante-Cadd is Ditas, the mother of Ethan David and KD Estrada’s Arnel.
Mayen Bustamante-Cadd is Ditas, who was raised to prioritize image, tradition, and reputation. Mayen plays her with empathy, showing a woman shaped by strict upbringing and societal pressure. Mayen brings more than 30 years of professional theater experience from productions such as Alice in Wonderland, Joseph the Dreamer, Hairspray, The Bluebird of Happiness, Come from Away, and Going Home to Christmas.
With her vast experience in the world of acting on stage and on screen, singing, doing VOs and ad jingles, hosting for live events, directing shows and plays, and teaching Acting & Musical Theatre to teens and adults, Mayen brings the emotional precision needed to portray a mother learning acceptance in a world evolving faster than she expected.
Ring Antonio is Luz, the mother of Tomas Rodriguez and Noel Comia Jr.’s Gilbert.
Ring Antonio is Luz, the ’80s Filipina hustler married to a gambling husband and juggling endless rakets or side gigs to keep the family afloat. As a single mom of a teenage boy herself, Ring Antonio understands Luz’s exhaustion and fierce love.
Ring has more than 15 years of stage experience with roles in Newport World Resorts’ Full House Theater Company productions such as Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo, Annie, Bituing Walang Ningning, Priscilla: Queen of the Dessert, Cinderella, King And I, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Parokya ni Edgar The Musical, and Side Show.
Ring’s experience as a theater actress and head teacher of Children’s Musical Theater has honed her ability to ground characters in emotional truth.
Kakai Bautista and Natasha Cabrera alternate as Delia, the mother of Milo Cruz and Migo Valid’s Tonton.
Kakai Bautista and Natasha Cabrera alternate as Delia the talakera—the loud, loving, nagging mom shaped by fear of failing her family. Bautista and Cabrera reveal her not as a caricature, but as a woman doing her best with the tools she had.
Catherine Herrera Bautista, professionally known as Kakai Bautista, may have gained recognition for her supporting roles playing comedic or villainous characters in TV shows and movies such as Hello, Love, Goodbye and Four Sisters Before the Wedding, but her career began in theater back in 2000. For over a decade, she has been a consistent performer in the musical Rak of Aegis.
Natasha Cabrera, a University of the Philippines Theater Arts alumna, has appeared in Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical, Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady, Bar Boys The Musical, and Ang Huling El Bimbo the Musical. She has also played various roles in local productions such as Lapu-Lapu: Ang Datu ng Mactan, Corazon Negro, Sandosenang Sapatos, Paglayang Minamahal, Ding! Ang Bato, The Silent Soprano, Rizal X, and Shock Value.
A production of Newport World Resorts with Philippine STAR and VIVA communications, the show is staged by PETA plus, led by director Maribel Legarda, playwright J-mee Katanyag, and musical director Vince Lim. This show is also presented in cooperation with Sun Life Philippines.
Bagets The Musical runs from January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are now available at Newport World Resorts Box Office, Ticketworld, and Ticket2Me at P4,000 (SVIP), P3,500 (VIP), P3,000 (GOLD), P2,000 (SILVER), and P1,000 (BRONZE). For inquiries, contact Customer Care at tel. no. 7908-8888.
First established as the pioneer integrated resort in the Philippines in 2009, Newport World Resorts is a premier leisure and entertainment complex comprising two main wings, Newport Grand Wing and Newport Garden Wing. The award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater seats over 1,700 for live entertainment, from plays and musicals to concerts and performances. Also within Newport City are over 70 restaurants and dining outlets offering a diverse selection of local and international cuisine, prepared by top Filipino and international chefs.
For more information on ‘Bagets The Musical,’ visit VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar), and Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
