When the songs of the Eraserheads were transformed into the phenomenal musical “Ang Huling El Bimbo” in 2018, a beautiful shift began to unfold in Philippine theater. It was a defining moment when stories and sounds that once shaped the mainstream — radio hits, coming-of-age films, rock anthems — finally found their place on the live stage, drawing audiences from all walks of life to an art form that was once seen as exclusive.
Since then, droves of Filipinos of all ages have flocked to the theater to see the wildly successful rerun of “Rak of Aegis” (2014), featuring the music of rock band Aegis; followed by new crowd-pullers like “One More Chance: The Musical” (2024), based on the John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo film with songs by Ben&Ben; “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” (2024), showcasing the hits of Parokya ni Edgar; and the most recent “Delia D.” (April 2025), a vibrant musical celebrating drag and the songs of Jonathan Manalo.
That same wave continues to ripple today, this time spotlighting two beloved pillars of Philippine pop culture: “Bagets,” the ultimate Filipino coming-of-age film of the 1980s, and “Jeproks,” the most defining song of OPM rock legend Mike Hanopol.
Both titles are now being brought to life on stage by some of the country’s most respected theater companies and creative forces.
Here’s how these pop culture icons are making their way to the stage — each with its own story to tell, its own hurdles to cross, and its own generation to inspire.
The ‘Bagets’ barkada is back
The media conference for “Bagets: The Musical” was charged with excitement, not least because it took three major players in Philippine entertainment and media — Viva Communications Inc., Newport World Resorts, and The Philippine Star (PhilStar) Media Group — to come together to bring this defining ‘80s film to life on stage.
The original ‘Bagets’ barkada — (clockwise from center, seated) Aga Muhlach, Herbert Bautista, Raymond Lauchengco, William Martinez and J.C. Bonnin — set the bar high, making the search for their stage counterparts an exciting challenge. PHOTO FROM IMDB
To pull off such a big production, they turned to the highly respected and pioneering Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), which has spent the last five decades successfully staging bold and socially relevant shows.
Speaking on behalf of Philstar Media CEO Miguel Belmonte, Group Executive Vice President Lucien Dy Tioco emphasized why it is so important to revisit “Bagets” today, saying, “We believe it will continue to resonate with Filipinos because at its core, it’s about chasing dreams and growing up — something that transcends generations.”
Set to premiere in the first quarter of 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, “Bagets: The Musical” promises to deliver not just nostalgia but a fresh, intergenerational perspective.
PETA playwright J-mee Katanyag (“Padayon”) and director Maribel Legarda (“Rak of Aegis”) assured that while the musical will retain the film’s most iconic parts — the friendships, heartbreaks, and high-energy ‘80s vibe — it will now also shine a light on the “ermats,” the decade’s slang for mothers, who juggled careers and parenthood, and the “erpats,” or fathers, who were either absent or silent figures in their children’s lives.
The team behind ‘Bagets: The Musical’: (from left) PETA Executive Director Anj Heruela, overall director Maribel Legarda, PhilStarMedia Group Vice President Lucien Dy Tioco, Executive Vice President and playwright J-mee Katanyag. PHOTO FROM VIVA
Katanyag furthered that the heart of “Bagets” will remain intact, but the story will be adapted to theater’s unique storytelling style. “We’ll keep the iconic parts, but of course, theater is a different medium. It will have that ‘80s flavor, but it’s the ‘80s on steroids,” she laughed.
One of the most daunting challenges is finding the right cast to step into the shoes of the original barkada — Aga Muhlach, William Martinez, J.C. Bonnin, Herbert Bautista, and Raymond Lauchengco — who became cultural icons after the film’s release in 1984. This was a point raised by The Manila Times Entertainment & Lifestyle during the media conference, prompting the creative team to share their thoughts on how they would approach such a crucial task.
Director Legarda acknowledged that casting young actors who can act, sing, dance, and embody the raw youthful energy of “Bagets” is no easy task. She emphasized that the creative team is looking to cast a mix of newcomers and seasoned performers, making sure to balance fresh talent with experienced actors to bring depth and authenticity to the stage.
“Casting is always challenging, especially for a story like this,” Legarda admitted. “You need a group of young actors who can sing, dance, and act — the triple threat — and who can bring their own energy to the roles while honoring the spirit of the original barkada.”
The crucial auditions for the musical will therefore be held from late July to early August 2025, and the team is open to the exciting possibility of having original “Bagets” cast members join the production in new roles — perhaps as the ermats and erpats now, or in other key characters.
Anyway, with Viva still very much at the helm of this stage adaptation, there’s every reason to believe they can make it happen.
‘Jeproks’ rocks its way to the stage
While “Bagets” is making waves on one end, another pop culture icon is coming to life on stage: the story of Mike Hanopol, told through his most famous song, “Jeproks.”
David Ezra is ready to rock as he steps into the lead role in ‘Jeproks: The Musical.’ PHOTO FROM TANGHALANG UNA OBRA
OPM rock legend Mike Hanopol, who became a symbol of the laid-back, street-smart Filipino youth in the 1970s, now takes center stage in “Jeproks: The Musical,” which will feature 15 of his greatest hits. Tanghalang Una Obra is producing the show, with Frannie Zamora directing and David Ezra taking on the lead role inspired by Hanopol.
For David, best known for his performances in “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Himala: Isang Musikal,” the role is a chance to reconnect with his first musical love: rock.
Bringing OPM rock to the stage (from left) ‘Jeproks: The Musical’ producer Johnny Blue, OPM legend Mike Hanopol, lead star David Ezra, and director Frannie Zamora.
Before stepping into the world of musical theater, the son of revered OPM singer Dulce spent his college years playing guitar, drums, and piano in underground rock bands, covering the likes of Razorback, P.O.T., and other heavy rock icons.
“There was no hesitation to take on the role when they reached out to me,” David shared in an interview huddle following “Jeproks’s” media launch. “When they said it was rock, I was all in because I’ve always wanted people to see this side of me.”
Having worked with musical director Jed Balsamo in previous productions, David was handpicked for the role. Still, he is diving deep into his preparations, planning to study Hanopol’s music, mannerisms, and even the political and social landscape that shaped his artistry.
For David, playing the Pinoy rock icon is more than just singing his songs — it’s about honoring the roots of OPM and introducing this legacy to younger audiences.
Philippine Star President and CEO Miguel Belmonte, Viva Communications Chairman and CEO Vic del Rosario, and Newport World Resorts Executive Chairman Kevin Tan come together to bring the defining ‘80s film to life on stage. PHOTO FROM VIVA
“Musicians have an obligation to study where the music comes from,” he said. “I want to understand what Mike was thinking when he wrote those songs, and what was happening around him at that time.”
What excites him even more is the chance to originate the role. “I’ve always wanted to do another OPM jukebox musical where I’m the title lead,” he said.
“This is the first time the whole story will revolve around my character, and that’s exciting.”
In his previous OPM-centered work, “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” he was part of the ensemble leads, but this time, all eyes will be on his portrayal.
David takes pride in the opportunity to be the first to play the role. “When you originate a role, you get to be the pioneer,” he explained. “If there’s a re-run or a film version down the line, I’ll always be the first one who did it. That’s something special to me.”
Though he already has experience playing real-life historical figures like Emilio Aguinaldo in “Mabining Mandirigma” and Aurelio Tolentino in “Aurelio Sedisyoso,” David sees portraying Mike Hanopol as a unique challenge. He knows it isn’t just about learning the songs — it’s about understanding the man behind them.
“As a performer, you can’t just rely on the script,” he emphasized. “You have to do your own research, know what was going on socially and politically at the time, and figure out where the artist was coming from when he wrote his songs. You need to add your own input when you build a character, especially one like this.”
“Jeproks: The Musical,” also presented by The Hammock Production, Inc. and Twin Bill Theater, is set to run from November 20 to 23 and November 27 to 30 at the GSIS Theater, CCP Complex.
