Arnel, then and now: A character that grows with every generation
MANILA, Philippines — When “Bagets” first hit Philippine cinemas in the early ’80s, it didn’t set out to become a cultural milestone. It simply told the story of five young men navigating friendship, freedom, mistakes and the confusing in-between of boyhood and adulthood. Yet more than four decades later, its stories still feel strikingly familiar.
With “Bagets The Musical,” these narratives are reborn for the stage, layered with music, movement and a new generation of actors. One of the characters in the “Bagets” barkada is Arnel, the sheltered, privileged boy searching for his own voice.
Originally portrayed by Raymond Lauchengco, the role is now shared onstage by KD Estrada and Ethan David. Across generations, Arnel’s journey remains a quiet but powerful exploration of identity, accountability and growth.
The journey, not the destination
What makes the story of Arnel endure isn’t nostalgia alone. It’s the quiet truth of his journey: the tension between who you’re expected to be and who you truly are. For Raymond, revisiting “Bagets” today isn’t about reclaiming the past, but recognizing how its lessons have aged alongside him.
“Life is a journey,” he reflected. “All we have to do is be a little better today than we were yesterday. The journey is just as important as the destination. So, we need to savor each moment and enjoy the entire ride.”
At the time, none of the cast realized they were creating something that would resonate across generations.
“We were just being ourselves, having fun and enjoying each other while the camera rolled,” he said. Perhaps that unforced and unpolished authenticity is what allowed “Bagets” to mirror real life so closely that it’s something audiences continue to recognize and respond to today.
Identity, freedom and the power of a village
For Raymond, the most enduring themes of “Bagets” are identity and friendship.
“Figuring out who you are in the grand scheme of things is one of life’s greatest pursuits,” he shared. “Once you do, all sorts of doors open — not because you can do anything, but because you’re finally free from doing things that aren’t aligned with who you are.”
That freedom, he explained, is inseparable from community. Friendship, he added, is equally essential. “Everything worthwhile in life requires a village. You need your people to keep you grounded, to help you, to give you purpose.”
It’s a sentiment that finds new expression in “Bagets The Musical,” where friendship is not just spoken — it’s sung, danced and embodied.
For today’s actors, this idea of a “village” extends beyond the characters to the collaborative nature of theater itself.
Reinterpreting Arnel for a new generation
Being a teenager is all about self-discovery. For KD Estrada, stepping into Arnel’s role has been both physically demanding and emotionally revealing.
“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done,” he admitted. “We have to bring a youthful energy because we’re playing teenagers, and the story is from the ’80s. The dancing was the hardest part for me because I haven’t danced in a long time. It’s challenging, but my body’s finding its rhythm again.”
What grounds KD in the process is the music, which carries much of the storytelling.
“The stories are mostly told through the songs,” he said. “As actors, we really have to use our bodies to tell these stories.”
He saw Arnel as someone raised in comfort but disconnected from his own desires.
“The song Our House made me realize that the things Arnel is used to aren’t necessarily what he wants,” KD explained. “He was born into that life and nurtured that way.”
In comparison to the character he plays, he believed this is where Arnel’s emotional reckoning begins.
KD framed “Bagets The Musical” as a story not just about mischief, but about emotional avoidance.
“‘Yung mga kalokohan na ginawa nila — they were doing all this because they all had problems they didn’t want to talk about,” he said. “I think it’s important to normalize opening up to your friends. You can tell each other your problems. Don’t use bad habits to cope with it. Talk it out with your friends and act on it.”
For him, this reframes the idea of “manhood” for today’s generation.
“At the start, these kids had toxic masculinity — parang, ‘Hindi ako lalake ‘pag hindi ko ginawa ito.’ But what does it really mean to man up?” KD asked.
His answer was simple but firm: “It’s about being accountable and taking responsibility. It should be more actions, not just words.”
Freedom through knowing who you are
This evolution — from avoidance to accountability — is the heart of Arnel’s story arc.
When asked how he hopes to impact today’s audiences, KD was clear about the transformation he wanted people to witness.
“I want to be able to visibly shift Arnel from being a maarteng rich boy na avoidant, to a person na may paninindigan,” he said.
“This story is a reminder to ground yourself and stay humble,” he added. “Just like Arnel, I hope people realize there are so many different perspectives to see the world — and it’s worth learning all about that.”
Ethan David, who alternates the role of Arnel, focuses on the character’s struggle to understand himself.
“Arnel just needed the support to realize that ‘You’re more than this,’” he said.
Raised by supportive parents and surrounded by well-meaning friends, Ethan understands the tension between freedom and uncertainty.
“Sometimes, I’m not sure about my decisions, but they’re always there for me.”
Ethan believed that audiences connect deeply with imperfect characters like Arnel because they mirror real life.
“We find our path, we make mistakes, but we learn along the way,” he said. “You don’t achieve success without a few failures.”
Like Raymond, Ethan understands the idea that Arnel’s freedom comes from self-knowledge.
“A lot of people will dictate how you should be,” he explained. “So, it’s important to always go back to your core.”
This awareness, he noted, is essential not just in life but in performing — knowing where the character ends and the self begins.
“The stories of ‘Bagets’ are happening in real life all the time,” Ethan said. “No matter your age, you’re bound to resonate with a character on stage.”
A story that continues to find its audience
Across generations, all three actors share the same respect for Arnel’s journey — and for the audience’s ability to find meaning in it.
Perhaps that openness is why characters like Arnel still matter. Whether on screen or on stage, his story remains an open invitation, reminding us that growing up isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about learning, choosing and becoming — one step, one mistake, one honest moment at a time.
“Bagets The Musical,” a production by PETA Plus, VIVA, NEXT, The Philippine STAR and Newport World Resorts, is opening Jan. 23 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Tickets are now available via TicketWorld and partner ticketing platforms.
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