Nathalie Tomada - The Philippine Star
June 18, 2026 | 12:00am
Viva artist Atasha Muhlach is set to play the titular role in ‘Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical,’ a dream assignment that brings her back to musical theater and allows her to essay one of the most iconic characters from the Manila Sound era. The newest Viva-Newport World Resorts-The Philippine STAR collab production is happening in September, with Sam Concepcion, Jeff Moses, Anthony Rosaldo and KD Estrada joining the cast as Atasha’s leading men.
Atasha Muhlach’s first reaction to landing her first-ever lead role on the theater stage was tears of joy.
The Viva artist is set to play the titular role in “Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical,” a dream assignment that brings her back to musical theater and allows her to essay one of the most iconic characters from the Manila Sound era.
The role was originated by the late National Artist Nora Aunor in the 1979 film of the same title.
“First reaction, tears of joy,” Atasha recalled to The Philippine STAR in an exclusive interview.
“I was super, super happy and more importantly, so grateful because it’s so exciting to be part of something like this, to be playing the role of Annie Batungbakal because it’s such an iconic role.”
According to Atasha, the role is special not only because it spells a major career milestone, but also because it comes with the chance to dance and sing to some of Hotdog’s most beloved songs, which she described as “part of Philippine music history.”
She said, “Hotdog and Annie Batungbakal made such a big, big contribution to pop culture and society. Given the chance to be part of this is really just such a big honor.”
Interestingly, when Atasha was previously asked by this paper about the possibility of doing theater again, this project was not yet on her radar.
Once she found out about the auditions, the first thing she did was listen to Hotdog tracks. While she already knew Manila, discovering more about the band’s music opened her eyes to just how deeply embedded the group’s music is in Filipino culture.
“I know the song Manila from before, from when I was in high school. I would always hear my friends play it, so it was kind of a surreal moment na, ‘Oh my God, ito pala, this is them,’” Atasha said.
Learning about the other songs, including Ikaw Ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko, made her appreciate the Manila Sound even more.
“Hearing all these songs, wow, they’re really so ingrained in Philippine culture. For the Manila Sound, iba talaga,” she added.
Asked more about the audition process, Atasha shared that she went through it with a “hopeful heart.” She knew there were no guarantees, but she made sure she arrived prepared. She tapped a dance coach, acting coach and vocal coach for help.
“I think I could speak in general for everyone in that way, wherein in auditions, you always go in with a hopeful heart and give it your all, not really knowing what will happen or what the outcome may be,” she said.
“But within myself, I just know that I prepared talaga to the best of my ability. As in binigay ko talaga yung 100 percent ko.”
She prepared two audition pieces: one Hotdog song and another one by a different artist from the ’70s to ’80s. She also performed a dance number to the music of Annie Batungbakal.
At one point, she was asked by “Bongga Ka, ‘Day” director Chris Millado to do choreography on the spot to test how quickly she could pick up movement.
“Syempre naman, kinakabahan ako, pero it went well,” she said. “I’m happy that I did it and I’m just happy with the preparations that I put in for this audition.”
The most challenging part of it, she admitted, however, was the singing. She had to go on vocal rest two days before the audition.
“So sabi ko, grabe, iba talaga ang respeto ko para sa mga theater artists and even for all artists,” she said.
Atasha also understands that the role will demand discipline and stamina, especially since she has no alternate for the part. But rather than feel overwhelmed, she chooses to accept it as a challenge.
“I super, super love challenges and I think that’s what keeps me going every day, always just to challenge myself,” she said.
Part of her preparations right now for the actual production in September is understanding the world that Annie Batungbakal comes from. Since she was not born in the ’70s, Atasha has been doing her homework on the period, the music and the cultural context that shaped the character.
“There’s a lot of research and studying required in order to understand the context of that time and to understand the character,” she said.
Based on a primer furnished to this paper, Annie is in her early 20s, a “creative, spirited, generous and lovable woman” but who’s a bit naive. She’s an employee, a dispatsadora, at the House of Pasion. Her dream as fashion designer fuels her desire to join the Coco Banana circle, but there’s something in her that initially blocks acceptance.
When asked if she could personally connect to Annie’s journey, without giving away too much about the story, Atasha shared, “For me, I think she’s a dreamer. She’s unapologetically herself. She’s deeply authentic.
“Just like all of us, we’re all unique in our own way. We’re all very different.”
She went on to say that Annie’s story is all about self-discovery and self-acceptance.
“It’s discovering who you are and realizing that you don’t have to change yourself to be worthy of success, love or acceptance.
“I think, personally, audiences of all ages will see a little bit of themselves in Annie, whether you’re chasing a dream, finding your place in the world or just simply trying to stay true to yourself. Her journey is incredibly relatable.”
The musical follows the success of “Bagets The Musical,” another Viva-Newport World Resorts-The Philippine STAR collaboration that introduced a new generation of young stars to the Philippine theater scene. The show, staged with PETA Plus, is slated to open, as mentioned, in September at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
With “Bongga Ka, ’Day!” now being positioned as the next big stage offering, Atasha is aware of the anticipation surrounding the project, which earlier announced her leading men — Sam Concepcion, Jeff Moses, Anthony Rosaldo and KD Estrada.
“But I wouldn’t really call it pressure,” she said.
“I think it’s more of excitement.”
This is because the project feels like a full-circle moment for Atasha.
The last time she performed onstage, also at Newport, she was 10. It was during “The Sound of Music,” the musical that made her realize she wanted to become a performer.
“That’s why I’m just so, so, so excited to come back now. It’s like I’m really living my dreams now because this all started when I was 10, when I knew after ‘The Sound of Music’ that I really wanted to be part of the industry, I wanted to do this, I wanted to be a performer.”
“Fast forward years later, here we are on the same stage,” Atasha further reflected.
“I’m so excited to grow. I’m just so excited to work with everyone. I’m so excited to learn from them and just enjoy this journey.”
(Get first dibs on tickets by signing up for the waitlist now via newportworldresorts.com/bkd-waitlist. Ticket selling for “Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical” begins in July.)
