Bongga Ka, ’Day!’ Musical reveals its leading men

The search is over for the leading men of “Bongga Ka, ’Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical.”

Sam Concepcion, Jeff Moses and Anthony Rosaldo have been cast in the role of Romer Pasion, while KD Estrada is set to portray Burn in the disco-themed stage production based on the 1979 film “Annie Batungbakal” starring the late National Artist Nora Aunor and featuring the music of the legendary OPM band Hotdog.

Romer is described as a cosmopolitan and flirty flight attendant who brings the latest trends to his friends in Coco Banana. Burn, meanwhile, is a down-to-earth folk-rock singer who does cover songs but hopes to be known for his own music.

The actress playing the titular character, on the other hand, has yet to be revealed.

Jeff Moses returns to theater after ‘Bagets,’ saying he missed the feeling of performing live onstage.KD Estrada is brushing up on his music and movement skills for the ’70s-inspired musical.

In separate interviews with The Philippine STAR, the four actors, nevertheless, expressed excitement in working with the “mysterious” Annie Batungbakal. At the same time, they looked back on their audition process, their reactions to joining the musical and preparing for a dance-heavy musical set in the ’70s.

KD, who previously starred in “Bagets The Musical,” said “Bongga Ka, ’Day!” auditions were “very dance-heavy,” but he felt that his experience from “Bagets” helped him this time around.

“I got better at dancing and picking up choreo,” KD said. “I think it’s because the skills that I got from ‘Bagets’ translated to the auditions.”

He was in La Union working on a movie when he learned that he got the role of Burn.

“I immediately called my parents. Sabi ko, ‘Hi mommy, I got the role of Burn,’” he recalled.

KD also told his “Bagets” co-stars, especially Jeff, since they had planned to audition for “Bongga Ka, ’Day!” together.

Jeff, for his part, admitted that the audition process for “Bongga Ka, ’Day!” was tougher for him compared to “Bagets.”

“Mas nahirapan ako this time. Hindi ko alam bakit,” Jeff said. “Every moment na nandun ako sa auditions, parang nandun yung pressure and yung bigat na nararamdaman ko.”

He said part of the pressure came from having already done “Bagets.”

“Maybe I was feeling the pressure because I did ‘Bagets’ already,” he said. “Parang a lot of people are thinking na siguro magpe-perform na siya nang maayos kasi he did ‘Bagets’ na.”

Jeff said he and KD had waited for updates for days. When he finally got the good news, he felt very happy because theater had become something he missed.

“Sobrang saya ko talaga kasi may something to look forward to,” he said.

‘Bongga Ka, ’Day!’ musical reveals its leading men The musical theater regular Sam, on the other hand, described his audition experience as fun and memorable, particularly because of the dancing.

“It was very ‘free-flow,’” he said. “They played music, a Hotdog song, and you just kinda dance to it.”

While Anthony, though no longer new to a Newport production, still described the audition as nerve-wracking.

“The audition process was very terrifying for me,” Anthony said, adding that auditioning is always a “big thing” for him.

When he secured the role, the first feeling was relief.

“It was a relief for me, to be really honest,” Anthony said. “I was so happy and then I was just at home. I called my mom right away. She was the first person.”

The actors were also thrilled at working with the actress playing Annie Batungbakal.

Sam said he already sensed during auditions that their pairing could be something interesting for the stage.

“She’s very charming, very talented,” Sam teased.

KD said he expects the working relationship to be easy and professional. “Ako, super professional ako when it comes to that kind of thing, like a partnership,” he added.

Jeff said he found her easy to work with during auditions.

“Sobrang gaan. Sobrang galing niya. Sobrang intelligent niya as an actor,” he praised his future co-actor.

Anthony, meanwhile, said it is an honor to be one of her leading men in the musical. “I’m really looking forward (to it),” he further stressed.

Set in the ’70s, “Bongga Ka, ’Day!” will allow the actors to experience the era of disco and Hotdog’s signature Manila sound.

KD said he is particularly drawn to the fashion of the decade, particularly the oversized lapels, blazers and bell-bottom trousers.

Sam said the era has influenced him personally as a performer. “There’s a lot of influences from the ’70s sa akin personally, music and dancing,” he noted, citing Motown, the Jackson 5, soul and dance music.

Anthony also said he loves the “very fun, colorful and entertaining” feel and fashion of the ’70s.

As for their favorite Hotdog songs, KD picked Panaginip, which he described as “such a sweet, tender song.” Sam mentioned Manila and Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko, while Anthony chose “Miss Universe.”

With rehearsals upcoming, the actors are already preparing for a show that promises to be both heavy on music and movement.

KD said Burn may require him to play guitar live on stage.

“This is going to be the first musical where I’ll be playing live guitar,” KD said. “I hope I’ll be taking up on my guitar skills… lalo na ngayon kasi I’ll be doing that on stage.”

Jeff said he has been working on his endurance by biking and jogging.

“Physically, nire-ready ko lang yung sarili ko kasi alam ko very heavy din yung schedule ng preparation ng theater,” he said.

Anthony said audiences can expect to see a more dance-driven side of him.

“Expect Anthony the dancer,” he quipped.

Sam, for his part, said he is proud to be part of a show that brings the world of “Annie Batungbakal” and the music of Hotdog together for both the young and the young-at-heart.

“It’s a family musical. It’s dance, with music that’s familiar already to us,” Sam said.

Admittedly though, what he’s most excited about is seeing the dancing come alive on Newport’s huge stage.

“To see dancing on a big stage, I think, is such a treat,” he said.

“Bongga Ka, ’Day!” is the follow-up collaboration among Viva, The Philippine STAR and Newport World Resorts, with creative direction from Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Plus, after the successful run of “Bagets The Musical” early this year.

The Philippine STAR president and chief executive officer Miguel G. Belmonte, in an earlier report, said the success of “Bagets” showed how audiences enjoyed the retro theme.

“With the success of ‘Bagets,’ we saw how the audience enjoyed the retro theme and when the opportunity to do ‘Bongga Ka, ’Day!’ was offered by (Viva) Boss Vic (del Rosario), we were excited to be a part of it and celebrate the ’70s this time. With music from the legendary Hotdog band, we can expect a lot of fun, a lot of reminiscing and a lot of great talent that will truly shine on stage,” Belmonte said.

“Bongga Ka, ’Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical” is set to run from September to October at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.