More than nostalgia: Inside the groundbreaking collaboration behind 'Bagets The Musical'

When Bagets The Musical opens its curtains, audiences will see more than a nostalgic retelling of an ‘80s classic—they’ll witness decades of artistry and collaboration spring to life.

For the Philippine Educational Theater Association, this isn’t just a revival, it’s a reimagining of how theater connects generations, cultures, and creative minds.

Rewriting the coming of age

Playwright Jmee Katanyag viewed Bagets not only as a story of teenage fun, but as an exploration of identity and growth.

“What if ‘coming of age’ wasn’t just about the boys?” she asks. “In the 1980s, women were also finding their voices—and the country itself was coming of age.”

Katanyag saw an opportunity to expand the lens.

“During the 1980s, women were stepping into the workforce, finding their own voices. And what if the country itself was coming of age, transitioning from Martial Law to EDSA?”

That concept—intergenerational growth and discovery—became the heart of her adaptation.

“Even now, the issues remain,” she says. “The details may change, but the conflicts between parents and children, the need to belong, the search for self, those are timeless.”

Katanyag was also intentional about adding a female gaze to the story.

“I wanted to locate myself in the work,” she explains. “By reframing certain scenes and giving subtle commentary through the women, we bring new dimensions to what it means to grow up.”

Nostalgia with heart

For Maribel Legarda, PETA’s former creative director and now the director and visionary behind Bagets The Musical, the project bridges generations and media.

Her direction focuses on grounding nostalgia in meaning.

“I wanted to bring out the joy and innocence of youth, but also remind the audience that we are still living in the present,” she says. “That’s why we highlight the connection between mothers and sons, the people who shape us and help us grow.”

Legarda says that what matters most when performing in a big venue like Newport is heart.

“The show can be spectacular, yes, but never spectacle for spectacle’s sake. The story must remain the center,” she continues, adding that the musical bridges learning between different media.

“Turning film into theater is a creative challenge I welcome. Theater forces you to expand, to engage at a larger scale. And even after decades of directing, I’m still learning. That’s what keeps my creativity alive.”

More than anything, she sees Bagets as a chance to nurture a new generation.

“We’re developing young actors from VIVA and teaching them the discipline of theater. In theater, you have to be present, prepared, alive. You can’t fake that. It’s ephemeral. You’ll never watch the exact same performance twice. That’s the beauty of it,” Legarda concludes. 

The sound of youth, reimagined

Musical director Vince Lim, a former Kundirana member who grew up loving Bagets, sees the project as a personal homecoming.

“You have to honor the music while keeping it fresh,” he says. “Older audiences crave nostalgia, while younger ones want new energy.” 

By blending classic ‘80s tunes with modern arrangements, Lim bridges generations. “The goal is to make people feel alive again, whether they’re remembering or discovering,” he adds.

More than arranging songs, Lim sees his role as storytelling through sound.

He continues: “In theater, I’m not just a musical director, I’m a storyteller. I work closely with Direk Maribel and Jmee to make sure the music propels the story, reflects the characters’ emotions, and makes the audience feel something real.”

Lim hopes the music stirs both nostalgia and renewal.

“For those who grew up with Bagets, I hope it brings back good memories. For new audiences, I hope it gives them that youthful perspective na kahit ang daming pinagdadaanan, masarap pa rin mabuhay. Maybe they’ll leave thinking, ‘Wow, ang saya mabuhay.’”

A collaboration that keeps growing

Through its many layers, Bagets The Musical is ultimately a story of connection between artists, generations, and audiences.

As Direk Maribel says, stories like Bagets remind us to cherish our formative years because these shape who we become.

“It’s not just about entertaining,” adds Melvin Lee, PETA president and program director of PETA Plus. “It’s about educating, uplifting, and growing together.”

Lim agrees, saying, “If we make these five stories a moment in time then that’s awesome.”

“[Bagets is] a coming of age not just for the five boys and their mothers, but for Filipinos—rooting ourselves back to what matters most: family, friends, and the moments that define who we are," Katanyag says.