The ermats take center stage in Bagets The Musical

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 unforgettable 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 ermats of Bagets The Musical: Women with depth, complexity, and heart

The musical presents a spectrum of ’80s Filipina womanhood—working moms, high society wives, single parents, hustlers, and creatives. Once background characters, they now emerge as layered and vulnerable, grappling with the same themes that remain relevant today: the mental load of mothers, the fear of failing her child, the struggle to communicate, and the hope for healing.

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).

Virgie is the quintessential ’80s working mother who is educated, constantly busy, and terrified of stillness. Carla approaches her with grounded realism, drawing from her own life as a mother: “I have to find myself in the character so that it is genuine.”

As a multi-award winning performing artist, Carla Guevara-Laforteza 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 which include 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 CCP as part of the “Triple Threat Series” in 2024 to celebrate her 30 years in the industry.

This past year alone, Carla has received five awards. Having been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential by Tiger Magazine, Outstanding Filipino Achiever of the Year, and Outstanding Performer in Theater Arts and Music given by the American Association of the Philippines, Carla is a premiere character actress, leading lady, singer and host, known for being on the strongest and most fearless stage performers in the Philippines.

Anna is a single mother and an ambitious actress, constantly performing for the world. Neomi relates deeply to her exhaustion as a teacher, freelancer, and homemaker: “Mothers are always auditioning: for work, for family, for life.”

Her defining moment is choosing her son over a career-making Brocka film—a dilemma women still face today amidst social pressure and perfection standards.

Stepping into the role of Anna is Neomi Gonzales. The 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 authentic insight into the life of a performer balancing many roles.

Ditas was raised to prioritize image, tradition, and reputation. Mayen plays her with empathy, showing a woman shaped by strict upbringing and societal pressure. Her arc softens when she realizes: “I can love my son even if he’s going against the grain.”

If she lived today, Ditas might thrive with more freedom or struggle with modern pace. One thing is for sure: Her journey toward acceptance remains universal.

Mayen brings in more than thirty 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 Bustamante-Cadd brings the emotional precision needed to portray a mother learning acceptance in a world evolving faster than she expected.

Luz is 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.

Aireen Melanie Antonio or professionally known as Ring, has built 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 songs of Jonathan Manalo, Annie, Bitiuin Walang Ningning, Priscilla: Queen of the Dessert, Cinderella, King And I, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Parokya ni Edgar The Musical, and Side Show.

Her experience as a theater actress and head teacher of Children’s Musical Theater has honed her ability to ground characters in emotional truth, as she makes connections with the character and the audience – strengthening Luz’s journey on stage.

Delia is 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.

Her awakening arrives during a pivotal confrontation where she realizes that love requires listening, not just protecting. Their powerful number “State of the Nation” becomes Delia’s mirror – showing the impact of loud affection and the need for gentleness.

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. Kakai’s achievements, discipline, and work ethics on stage and on screen truly showcases her emotional and comedic versatility.

As for Natasha Cabrera, she 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 University of the Philippines Theater Arts alumna, and the recipient of the Gawad Kumintang sa Sining sa Larangan ng Teatro from the Batangas Culture and Arts Council in 2024, Natasha has earned recognition for her vocal power and crisp character work.

Bagets The Musical expands the audience’s view of the story by highlighting the mothers’ roles in the lives of the barkada. Their experiences and relationships provide a different perspective that complements the original film’s coming-of-age narrative.

Audiences can look forward to new insights when the five mothers—Virgie, Anna, Ditas, Luz, and Delia—step into the spotlight.

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: PHP 4,000 (SVIP), PHP 3,500 (VIP), PHP 3,000 (GOLD), PHP 2,000 (SILVER), and PHP 1,000 (BRONZE). For inquiries, contact Customer Care at 7908-8888.