The sounds that made us ‘Bagets’

The music of ‘Bagets’ was one of the early works of Ricky del Rosario. In aiming for the youth market, Ricky made sure he included some covers of current hits in the ‘Bagets’ soundtrack. Hence, the presence of Sheena Easton’s Telefone done by Chona Cruz. Then he sourced some originals by Filipino songwriters. Odette Quesada came up with two new songs: Growing Up, recorded by Gary Valenciano, and the graduation song Farewell by Raymond Lauchengco. Raymond, then a fast-rising singer and actor under Viva, also got a love ballad from Cecile Azarcon, So It’s You.

“Bagets,” the movie, initially seemed to be just another youth flick to come out of Viva Films. Nothing really special save for the idea that it will build up the careers of five young actors around whom there was a lot of interest.

Viva, after all, was known more for its sleek, aspirational melodramas like “P.S. I Love You” and “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan.”

So, a coming-of-age film about high school boys was seen as something of an experiment.

So, when “Bagets” opened in Metro Manila theaters on Feb. 2, 1984, no one was prepared for the watershed reaction of fans from all over the country. Lead stars William Martinez, Herbert Bautista, J.C. Bonnin, Raymond Lauchengco and Aga Muhlach, aged 14 to 19, turned into box-office kings overnight.

Not only that, the picture, directed by Maryo J. De los Reyes and written by Jake Tordesillas, became a cultural phenomenon that impacted the Filipino language.

“Bagets” became the popular slang term for the young; fashion, bright yellow and pink casuals with white sneakers painted in neon colors; and most of all, on the then-current music trends, which, 40 years later, has not aged one bit.

The music of “Bagets” was one of the early works of Ricky del Rosario. He never studied music, but given the many years he had spent in the Philippine music industry, he certainly knew what would sell.

Ricky first worked as a disc jockey on radio. He later on managed the pressing plant of Vicor Music Corporation, the place where long-play albums and 45 RPM singles were pressed.

He later moved to heading Vicor International, where he dealt with foreign labels, and sometime later he was head of Viva Records.

Being a musical director was a side gig that Ricky did from time to time. Aside from “Bagets,” he also scored “Captain Barbel,” “Ninja Kids,” “Kalabog en Bosyo,” “Hindi Ako Ander Itanong Mo Kay Kumander,” “Neber 2 Geder,” “Ang Misis Kong Hoodlum,” “Sa Totoo Lang” and others.

“Bagets,” however, turned out to be not only his best, but also the most enduring.

In aiming for the youth market, Ricky made sure he included some covers of current hits in the “Bagets” soundtrack. Hence, the presence of Sheena Easton’s Telefone done by Chona Cruz.

Then he sourced some originals by Filipino songwriters, and this is where he hit the jackpot.

Odette Quesada, the hot composer of the time, thanks to her two hits for Ric Segreto, Don’t Know What to Do, Don’t Know What to Say and Give Me a Chance, came up with two new songs. These were the theme titled Growing Up, which was recorded by Gary Valenciano, and the graduation song Farewell for Raymond Lauchengco.

Raymond, then a fast-rising singer and actor under Viva, also got a love ballad from Cecile Azarcon, So It’s You, which he sang to his leading lady, Eula Valdez.

The success of the movie “Bagets” sent the soundtrack album up the charts. In return, Ricky’s clever use of the music in the picture resulted in memorable scenes that greatly contributed to “Bagets’” iconic status today.

And one more thing: let us not forget Just Got Lucky. The bouncy number by Jo Boxer was not in the “Bagets” soundtrack. But a tune was needed for the cast to dance to during their promo gigs. Ricky gave them Just Got Lucky.

To this day, everybody who hears Just Got Lucky cannot help but get into “Bagets” mode, stepping to the music with hands waving in circles just like the “Bagets” did long ago.

By the way, prepare to hear Growing Up, Farewell, Just Got Lucky and other “Bagets” sounds performed live in “Bagets the Musical,” which opens at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on Jan. 23. See you there.