GAT'S ETHAN DAVID, KD ESTRADA ARE THE NEWEST FACES IN 'BAGETS: THE MUSICAL'

Another batch of cast members has been welcomed into the fold of “Bagets: The Musical.” Among them are Ethan David of the P-pop boy group GAT and Kapamilya singer-actor KD Estrada.

- By CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

They will play Raymond Lauchengco’s character, Arnel, from the original flick directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, which also stars William Martinez, Herbert Bautista, J.C. Bonnin and Aga Muhlach.

Slated to open on Jan. 23, 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, “Bagets: The Musical” is helmed by Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) Maribel Legarda (“Rak of Aegis”) with Vince Lim as the music director and screenplay by PETA's artistic director and award-winning screenwriter J-mee Katanyag (“Lilet Matias, Attorney-at-Law" and “Maria Clara at Ibarra”).

The PETA PLUS musical adaptation is produced by Newport World Resorts and is presented by VIVA Communications, Inc. and The Philippine STAR. Tickets will be available starting Oct. 15.

The 1984 coming-of-age movie follows the journey of five teenage boys as they grapple with the ups and downs of adolescence, facing family struggles, friendship dilemmas and matters of the heart.

To prepare for his role, KD has been working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to stay in shape and ready for the rigors of a theater production. In addition, he is also preparing himself for a topless scene.

“I'm preparing myself for a shirtless scene. Haha! There’s a beach scene in the movie. So I’m preparing myself, even though they’re not saying it yet, I’m trying to get myself in good shape and (do) singing lessons, recalling my acting lessons and dance also. Basta preparing everything, my body and my mind.”

He launched his singing career in 2019 under ABS-CBN Star Magic and has since dropped several singles, including Saves It, One of Many, Days, among others. The former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate was also a member of The Squad Plus, with Andrea Brillantes, Kyle Echarri, Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, and part of the shows “ASAP Natin ‘To,” “Pira-Pirasong Paraiso” and “Bola Bola.”