The wait comes to a thrilling close as Bagets The Musical reveals the cast for the final lead role.
Mico Hendrix Chua is set to play the new-generation Adie, the baby-faced charmer first made iconic by Aga Muhlach in the beloved 1984 coming-of-age classic.
Get ready to swoon over his dimples and boy-next-door vibe as he brings a fresh twist to the 2026 stage adaptation.
Chua makes an acting comeback as Adie
The rising artist has been on stage since his teens, performing in local theaters in Iloilo before making the move to Manila. In 2021, he joined the reality show Born to Be a Star, which earned him a contract with VIVA.
“After I signed, I had to move to Dubai, where I worked multiple jobs while studying,” he recalls. “I started as an admissions counselor, then became an administrator.”
Despite the hiatus, the 22-year-old never let go of his love for the craft.
“I had a pretty stable life abroad, but deep down, my heart was always with performing,” says Chua. “I can always go back to that life, but I’m not getting any younger. I want to give my all to what I truly love.”
Now back in the Philippines, the stars have aligned for him.
“This is my first project since I returned. During the auditions, I was anxious, especially with so many callbacks,” he continues. “At first, I didn’t expect anything. But the more I went through the process, the more I wanted the character.”
In the shoes of a classic
Interestingly, Chua’s initial choice was not Adie. He had hoped to play Topee, a role he felt connected to because of their shared accent.
The switch, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“We’re a lot more alike than I thought,” he reflects. “I think many can relate when I say we’ve all had that time in our lives when we were young, naive, and just letting our emotions get the best of us.”
The artist acknowledges moments of peer pressure and recklessness in his past—qualities that make embodying Adie feel like reconnecting with an old version of himself.
Fans may remember the persona as a slightly confused romantic who juggles love, crushes, and meaningful connections.
“I’ve had those encounters before—stealing glances at your crush and all. But it’s all in the past now,” he says. “I think I’ve matured since then.”
The beauty of Bagets The Musical is that we can relive those moments and savor all the joy and buoyancy of youth.
Rising to the challenge
Though he relates to the character, Chua admits the weight of portraying such an icon was real.
“The pressure went higher, but it’s also a great challenge,” he concludes. “It means I get to give my best and portray someone as legendary as Aga Muhlach. I’m excited and deeply honored.”
The rising star rounds out the new-generation lineup of BagetsThe Musical. He will alternate performances with another VIVA artist, to be announced soon.
Bagets The Musical is scheduled to run from January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Joining Chua in the lead cast are Noel Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert, Milo Cruz and Migo Valid as Tonton, Ethan David and KD Estrada as Arnel, and Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf as Topee.
The musical is a joint production of VIVA Communications Inc, The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts, guided by the creative vision of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Plus, with director Maribel Legarda, playwright J-mee Katanyag, and musical director Vince Lim. Bagets the Musical is also supported through a partnership with Sun Life Philippines.
Learn more about the artists and the production through VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar), and Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sign up for the waitlist now via https://newportworldresorts.com/bagets-musical-waitlist to be the first in line for tickets.
