A father at 14

Nash Aguas in the teleserye Bagito gives a brilliant portrayal of a 14-year-old about to become a father. The unexpected happening is difficult to play on the big screen, especially the sequence when his would-be lover, played by Ella Cruz, gets drunk one evening and mistakes Nash for her boyfriend. Naturally, the world of Nash and his parents (Angel Aquino and Ariel Rivera) turn upside down.

Nash admitted his “love scene” was the most difficult to shoot in the teleserye. “I have no real experience in that department. I just had to trust my director and the directions he gave me,” he said.

Ella also seconded the observations of Nash, sharing that “what happened to my character is something I don’t want to wish on myself.”

Bagito also offers new insights into the life of today’s teen generation. When they were the age of Nash and Ella, Agot and Ariel said, “Definitely, the level of maturity exhibited by this generation of young stars is more advanced than ours.” Ariel added, “It’s probably because they have easy access to information. They are active practitioners in the social media.”

The barkada played by Alexander Diaz, John Bermundo, Joaquin Reyes, Brace Arquiza, Grae Fernandez, Paolo Santiago and Marco Pingol provide more than good support. Alexa Ilacad is also part of the cast. Nash and Alexa are a regular love team also known as NLex.

We recall watching Lino Brocka’s film Miguelito – Batang Rebelde starring Aga Muhlach in the title role, which dealt with the same subject matter, has been saved and restored, and can be found in the archives. The story tells of Nida Blanca as Auring, Aga’s mother, who was imprisoned on trumped-up charges. After her release from prison, she decides to go back to her hometown to demand justice and to be reunited with her long-lost son.

This, however, proves to be far from easy as her former lover who had impregnated her is now the town mayor and an all-powerful politician who lords it over the townspeople, especially those who wish to testify on her behalf. Auring offers some resistance, especially after her teenage son by the mayor discovers the truth. After an unexpected clash between the two contending groups, the mayor is shot to death, and mother and son are finally reunited.

While watching Bagito every afternoon at 5:30 p.m., many questions remain unanswered. Why are the teeners of today left by themselves in the middle of the night? Why did Nash give in to Ella when he knew very well she was drunk? Since we have no idea of latter developments in Bagito, we hope that the script will include a school visit where the subject taken up is the female body and how to care for it.

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