PETA leads new era of collaboration with ‘Bagets The Musical’

The iconic ’80s story returns to the stage through the collective creativity of PETA and its partners, bridging generations through music, memory, and Filipino artistry.

MANILA, Philippines — When “Bagets The Musical” opens onstage, audiences won’t just revisit a beloved ’80s classic: they will also witness how collaboration can transform an iconic film into a heartfelt, multi-generational theater experience.

For the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) — now in its 58th year of championing original Filipino works — “Bagets” is more than a revival; it is a testament to how shared creativity keeps stories alive across eras, communities, and artistic forms.

A legacy built on collaboration

“Collaboration has always been in PETA’s DNA,” says PETA President and PETA Plus Program Director Melvin Lee.

“Theater thrives on people coming together. It’s never the work of one person.”

This ethos is strengthened by PETA’s partnership with Viva Communications, NEXT, The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts, collectively reimagining “Bagets” for today’s audiences.

For Lee, the project is “nostalgia with purpose — a chance to see how film, news, and theater can uplift Filipino artistry together.”

Expanding the meaning of growing up

For playwright Jmee Katanyag, updating “Bagets” meant looking beyond the laughs and teenage antics.

“What if ‘coming of age’ wasn’t just about the boys?” she reflects. “The ’80s was also when women were finding their voices; and the country itself was transitioning.”

Her adaptation deepens themes of identity, belonging, and family, underscoring struggles and insights that feel just as relevant to Millennials and Gen Z today.

“The script is a living document,” she adds. “It grows through collaboration: every rehearsal, every fresh perspective.”

Directing with heart and intention

Director Maribel Legarda grounds the show in authenticity while infusing it with the charisma audiences expect.

“We want to revive the joy of youth, but also show why these stories matter beyond nostalgia,” she says.

Highlighting the mothers’ roles became central to her vision: “They’re the ones shaping these boys, guiding them with love and truth.”

Even staged in a grand venue like the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Legarda insists that heart must come first.

“Spectacle has meaning only when the story leads.”

Music that bridges generations

Musical director Vince Lim reimagines the iconic soundtrack with both reverence and reinvention.

“You honor what people grew up with, but you also make it resonate now,” he shares.

His arrangements aim to thrill Gen Xers and invite younger audiences into the “Bagets” world. “Music is storytelling. It carries memory and discovery,” Lim posits.

A celebration of connection

At its core, “Bagets The Musical” celebrates community, growth, and the moments that shape Filipino families across generations.

Experience the story, the music, and the collaboration that bring “Bagets” to life — best enjoyed with families, barkadas, and every generation shaped by this iconic film.

“Bagets The Musical” is a production of Newport World Resorts with Philippine STAR and VIVA Communications. The show is staged by PETA Plus and presented in cooperation with Sun Life Philippines, supported by RC Cola and Chippy. It opens Jan. 23, 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Tickets now available via TicketWorld, Ticket2Me, and the Newport World Resorts website, priced at: SVIP –P4,000 • VIP – P3,500 • Gold – P3,000 • Silver – P2,000 • Bronze – P1,000.