Entertainment

Atasha Muhlach, Sam Concepcion break down their 'Annie Batungbakal' characters

July 14, 2026 | 2:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — The upcoming "Bongga Ka Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical" will test the titular character on whether changing oneself to achieve one's dreams is a worthwhile compromise.

The production based on the songs of the Manila Sound band Hotdog will follow Annie (Atasha Muhlach), who sneaks into the glamorous disco scene of '70s Manila to chase her dream of becoming a fashion designer and risks losing herself in the process.

Hotdog hits like "Manila," "Pers Lab," "Beh, Buti Nga," "Panaginip," "O, Lumapit Ka," "Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko," and the titular tracks are expected to be featured.

During a media conference for the musical last July 7 in Newport World Resorts, where the production will run beginning September, Atasha credited the crew and her co-stars for being so hands-on and welcoming to her.

She also noted this marked her return to theater, having made her stage debut in 2011 for "The Sound of Music" as Brigitta von Trapp, also staged at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

"[Annie] encompasses the value na you don't have to change yourself in order to be successful or accepted in society," Atasha continued. "I think that represents most Filipinos today because we're all dreamers. No matter the situation, laban! We can all do it just as long as we maintain our pure selves."

Another main character in the musical is Romer, who will be alternated among Sam Concepcion, Anthony Rosaldo, and Jeff Moses. Romer is the only son of Aurora Pasion, Annie's boss.

Rosaldo repeated the brief for the character as a flirty and self-assured flight attendant who knows he's handsome and worldly.

"Vital 'yung role ni Romer sa mundo ni Annie because I think kay Romer nakikita ni Annie 'yung pangarap niya — the glitz, glamor — he embodies it being in high society," he said.

Concepcion echoed Rosaldo's description of Romer being "all about himself, high society, and the life of the party," but deep down shares similarities with Annie as people with dreams and pressures. Despite the seemingly shallow perception, Concepcions calls Annie "an inspiration, amazing, and a person larger than life."

"Romer is a dreamer. Kay Annie niya nakikita 'yung purpose, ang dream niya mismo, the inspiration to be himself para ma-explore pa sarili niya," added Moses.

Moses quipped that if Romer existed in this generation he would be "GGSS" or "guwapong-guwapo sa sarili." He differs from his onstage character, stating that he is not as confident as Romer with his oozing self-confidence.

"Bagets" producers Newport World Resorts, VIVA Communications, and The Philippine STAR will once again team up for "Bongga Ka Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical," which also stars Jackie Lou Blanco and John Lapus.