‘Bagets’ resurrected on TV

It is common in the TV industry for hit shows to get adapted into a film version. But for an iconic movie that was released in the 1980s to be transformed into a weekly TV show proves its timeless impact.

TV5, in cooperation with Viva Entertainment, brings back "Bagets" with a new breed of up and coming young and talented artists. AJ Muhlach, Nadine Lustre, Josh Padilla, Shy Carlos, Rico Dela Paz, Johan Lourens, Eula Caballero, Aki Torio and Meg Imperial compose the main cast of "Bagets. Just Got Lucky."

Also continuing the legacy is Director Mark Reyes, the man behind the 90's youth-oriented drama series "TGIS." Reyes, who has the eye for seeing the potential in the artists he handles, believes that the all new "Bagets" cast and the show itself offer something very special.

"Something is there. It's gonna come out on screen. It's how I felt with my other movies, with TGIS na there's something there. I think given the chance and the kids watch this more, get to know the characters and the storyline, they will enjoy this," Reyes said in an interview with some members of the press after the "Bagets" special screening held at the Podium.

The team that 'just got lucky'

Despite admitting that the cast may need more experience to solidify their acting, the director said the new "Bagets" cast's drive to succeed, as demonstrated by their eagerness to learn, lessens the pressure of possibly being compared with the famous movie they hope to at least half equate if not surpass.

"You know siguro it's always a learning experience everytime they work. Aabot sa punto yan na lahat sila gagaling sa pagperform, sa pag-act. It is now up to them on how they will become the icons that became the Aga Muhlach, the Herbert (Bautista), the JC Bonnin, the Francis Magalona nasa kanila na yan, nasa managers na nila yan but inherently nasa person yan. Kung gusto ng bata na sumikat at maging magaling na artista, to be part of the business, I think that's part destiny and part want, that they have to go for it. Malalalim yung mga batang yan kaya siguro lalabas din sa series na may pinaghuhugutan silang lahat," he said."They're all neophytes when it comes to acting, but they're all eager to learn and they're learning quickly like all kids are. What scares us and that's why we're all focused on what we're doing is because the legacy of "Bagets" from my generation and the generation before me, is something that's like the holy grail of teen oriented movies. It became a cultural phenomenon. Siguro bias aside it was only TGIS that was able to half equate what Bagets were. They were teen movies and teen shows that came but nothing has struck a chord like Bagets," he added.

The original 1984 film directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes starred William Martinez, Aga Muhlach, Herbert Bautista, Raymond Lauchengco, JC Bonnin, Jobelle Salvador, Eula Valdes, and Yayo Aguila. Francis Magalona was added in the sequel.

Another important point that Reyes explained was how the cast members were put together.

"TV5 recommended Rico and Eula. I think Meg is a freelance talent but she's also involved with VIVA and then she also appear in TV5. For the boys, AJ and Aki are from "XLR8" and we thought they will be a good mix for "Bagets." And then of course AJ has a link, may lineage. He's the brother of Aga so naisip na maganda ituloy kung baga yung tradition. Tapos si Johan is one of the few people who auditioned, and the rest sina Martin sina Julian sina Lucas [bullies] yan mga nag audition yan," explained Reyes. "When you look at Glee maski yung mga kontrabida is bida. So that is how it will turn out also, yun ang difference ng Bagets especially pag tumakbo na yung series, balanced yung story na may symbiotic relationship yung mga mean girls and mean boys, yung mga bullies with the Bagets cast."

Reyes also expressed his admiration with the group's attitude on the set.

"I thought na magiging masakit sa ulo itong mga 'to. It turns out na hindi. Mas masunurin sila at mas takot sila sa authority. Hindi dumadaan dito yung puro sigaw. It makes them more nervous in their acting but if you really talk to them like an adult and you tell them the right direction and it's alright to commit mistakes and try again, they do better. Smooth. Walang mataas ang ere, walang primadonna, wala nun."

According to Reyes, among the cast members, Johan is the most serious because he's more mature, Rico is the most mischievous perhaps since he's the youngest in the group, Aki is the natural joker and the sunshine of the set, Gino Padilla's son Josh is a very nice and respectful boy while Aga Muhlach's brother AJ is the most focused.

"AJ is focused on what he's doing because of the burden of being Aga Muhlach's brother but he knows his place. I told him 'Wag mong ipressure yung sarili mo nyan. You're already AJ when you started and you're in 'XLR8.' It's something to brag about aside from 'Bagets.' You already achieved something," Reyes recounted.

Team effort

Reviving "Bagets" and transforming it into a weekly television program that showcases new talents may have raised eyebrows for some but TV5 and Viva Entertaiment's joint efforts to ensure that the legacy of the movie lives on is beyond compare.

Perci Intalan, TV5's head of Creative and Entertainment Production expressed his confidence in "Bagets."

"The reason why we're confident that we can mount this show really well is that the people behind the original one are behind this one. We did not just buy the title 'Bagets.' Alam naming talagang may malasakit at talagang aalagaan yung brand dahil it's such an iconic title, an iconic movie, ayaw din naming mapabayaan din yun," Intalan said.

Meanwhile Director Reyes also revealed that Viva Entertainment, the same production behind the original "Bagets" is very hands on with this new project.

"[They're ] very tutok. From Boss Vic [del Rosario] to Veronique [del Rosario-Corpus]. Yun nga binili yung "Just Got Lucky" [soundtrack] which is very expensive to buy. "Growing up" ('Bagets' theme song performed by Gary Valenciano) we're still in the process of getting it," said Reyes.

With other cast members Mariel Bitanga, Joan Singh, Coraleen Waddell, Julian Calderon, Lucas Zamora as well as original Bagets members Raymond Lauchengco, Cheska Inigo and other notable actors and actresses like Candy Pangilinan, Joy Viado, Dingdong Avanzado, Bernadette Allyson, Jao Mapa, LJ Moreno, Almira Muhlach, Biboy Ramirez, Ella Guevara, Aifha Medina, Jef Gaitan, Sonja Calit and Nikita McElroy, catch the all new "Bagets" every Sunday, 4:30 pm after "Paparazzi" on TV5.