Did Atasha Muhlach audition for ‘Bongga Ka, ’Day’?

MANILA, Philippines — How did Atasha Muhlach land the lead role in “Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical”?

The upcoming musical, which opens this September at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, is the stage adaptation of “Annie Batungbakal,” the 1979 musical-comedy film starring National Artist Nora Aunor and featuring the music of Hotdog, the legendary OPM band whose hits helped define the Manila Sound era.

The production follows Annie, an ambitious sales clerk who dreams of becoming a fashion designer and enters the glamorous disco scene while exploring love, ambition and identity.

A PETA Plus official said that Atasha delivered a strong audition and had the “look and charm” to convincingly lead the production as its titular role.

“Atasha delivered a strong audition, showcasing solid singing, dancing, and stage presence. She displayed natural chemistry with the male actors and blended seamlessly with the ensemble of triple-threat theater performers,” noted PETA president and PETA Plus program director Melvin Lee.

Before landing the lead role in ‘Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical,’ Atasha Muhlach delivered a strong audition and had the look and charm to convincingly lead the production as its titular role.

“More importantly, she brought the charisma, warmth, and panache needed for Annie Batungbakal, with the charm and look to convincingly lead the production. Overall, she proved to be a strong choice for the role.”

Veteran theater director Chris Millado, who will helm the “Bongga Ka ‘Day!” production, earlier described Atasha’s audition in more detail via a social media post last June 21: “She walked in like nobody. Gym pants. Plain tee. Bare face. Ponytail. No entourage. No arte. Then the music hit. She caught the choreography on the first eight-count and slid into the song’s high notes like they were made for her. She matched the leading boys’ swoony charm and swagger.

“First impresions? Sometimes, they bring their own invisible spotlight with them.”

During an exclusive interview with The STAR right after landing the role, Atasha bared that she worked with several coaches to help her prep

In interviews, Atasha has made it no secret that she wanted to return to musical theater. At the age of nine, she first had her taste of theater as part of the cast of ‘The Sound of Music,’ also at Newport Performing Arts Theater.

are for the acting, singing and dancing requirements of the musical.

In interviews, Atasha has made it no secret that she wanted to return to musical theater. At the age of nine, she first had her taste of theater as part of the cast of “The Sound of Music,” also at Newport Performing Arts Theater.

So when she learned about the auditions, she buckled down to work.

“Of course, first thing I did was I listened to all of the Hotdog tracks. Actually, I know the song Manila from before. When I was in high school, I would always hear my friends play it, so it was kind of a surreal moment na, ‘Oh my God, ito pala, this is them.’ And of course, siyempre, Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko…

“So, hearing all these songs, it’s like, wow, they’re really so ingrained in the Philippine culture. And for the Manila sound, it’s truly… iba talaga!”

When asked what went down during the audition process, Atasha recalled, “I think I could speak in general for everyone in that way, where in all auditions, you always go in with a hopeful heart and giving it your all, not really knowing or expecting what will happen or what the outcome may be.

“But within myself, I just know that I prepared talaga to the best of my ability. As in, binigay ko din lahat, ng 100 percent ko.

“So, I had two songs prepared — one Hotdog song and one song from the ’70s/’80s — and a dance number to the song Annie Batungbakal. Tapos ang ginawa ni direk (Chris Millado), yung suggestion ni direk was to do a choreography on the spot, perform in front of all of them to see yung pick-up and see us try learning.

“I tried it with one of the castmates. Siyempre naman kinakabahan ako, but it went well, and I’m happy that I did. And I’m just happy that the preparations put in for this audition — I gave my 100 percent best,” she reiterated.

Which part was the most challenging?

“I think for me, it would have to be the singing. Sa auditions kasi, due to preparing for the auditions and for the callbacks, it was a lot of work put behind the scenes. And I ended up getting paos, like I had to be on vocal rest two days prior to the audition.

“So sabi ko, grabe, iba talaga ang respeto ko para sa mga theater artist and even for all artists.”

Atasha, likewise, also acknowledged the people who helped her prepare or simply lent moral support.

She narrated to this writer: “There are really a lot of people that were with me behind the scenes who were cheering me on and supporting me and leading me towards this project, like via workshops and, of course, their lessons.

“And I really like to acknowledge them, as I really would not have gotten to this point without them. They were even helping me prepare din para sa auditions ko rin and even for callbacks and for moving on even until now.

“And, of course, it has to be starting with my family, the backbone, the supporters… They make me feel confident na, ‘Kaya mo ’yan. Basta just try, give it your best, go for it.’”

She particularly credited her coaches, including acting coach Ana Feleo, speech coach Jeff Garcia, her vocal coach since childhood Natasha J. Gaston, and dance coach Michael Jahnke.

“I would not have really made it this far without them,” she stressed.

Joining Atasha in the cast are Sam Concepcion, KD Estrada, Jeff Moses and Anthony Rosaldo as the musical’s leading men. Sam, Jeff and Anthony take on the role of Romer Pasion, while KD portrays Burn.