Meet Bagets The Musical's Arnel and Topee
October 3, 2025
Bagets The Musical returns in 2026 with new barkada reveals!
Ethan David and KD Estrada step into the role of Arnel, while Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf bring Topee to life.
The barkada of Bagets The Musical keeps growing bigger and brighter. After the reveal of Gilbert and Tonton, the spotlight now shifts to two more iconic characters from the 1984 classic: Arnel, the polished “original conyo,” originally played by J.C. Bonnin and Topee, the athletic heartthrob with a hidden vulnerability, originally played by Raymond Lauchengco. In the 2026 staging at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, these roles are reimagined by four rising stars: Ethan David, KD Estrada, Jeff Moses, and Sam Shoaf.
Ethan David as Arnel
Ethan David: Stepping Out of His Comfort Zone
Best known as a member of P-pop boy group G.A.T. and for his acting work on TV series like Seducing Drake Palma and Avenues of the Diamond, Ethan David is making his way back to the stage. While he admits screen acting and theater are worlds apart, he embraces the challenge head-on.
“In TV, subtlety works. But in theater, everything has to reach the back row,” he shares. David is taking vocal training and stamina workouts seriously to embody Arnel’s all-out energy. For him, the character’s conflicts mirror real-life struggles between following one’s heart and living up to expectations. “Despite Arnel’s flaws, I hope the audience sees how he gathers courage—not just for himself, but to inspire others.”
KD Estrada as Arnel
KD Estrada: A Mirror of Arnel
Meanwhile, singer-actor KD Estrada finds Arnel to be his natural fit. “If Arnel were alive today, I think he’d be exactly like me,” Estrada says with a smile. He admires the character’s calm, responsible nature and his resistance to peer pressure.
Estrada, who debuted on stage in Walang Aray alongside Alexa Ilacad, relates strongly to Arnel’s inner conflicts. “We all face that moment where we’re unsure whether to chase our own dreams or live up to what others want for us.” His biggest takeaway? That high school friendships are some of the most enduring bonds a person can have.
Jeff Moses as Topee
Jeff Moses: Bringing Topee’s Hiligaynon Roots to Life
For actor Jeff Moses, portraying Topee hits close to home. Born and raised in Negros Occidental, he knows what it means to long for home. “Topee often says, ‘Puli ta Bacolod’—and I feel that because I only get to go home during the holidays.”
Moses, who won Best Actor at the 1st Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival for Under a Piaya Moon, sees Topee as a kind, mature friend who hides a deep vulnerability. “He’s someone who grows up too fast but still reminds us that being young at heart never goes away.” Though nervous for his first theater experience, Moses says he is eager to embrace the thrill of live performance.
Sam Shoaf as Topee
Sam Shoaf: The Martial Arts Ace with an ’80s Spirit
Completing the duo is Sam Shoaf, whose fun-loving personality matches Topee’s energy. A fan of ’80s music and fashion, Shoaf describes Topee as someone who would thrive in today’s TikTok-driven world while still keeping a private, thoughtful side.
Shoaf’s background in music competitions like The Voice Kids and Your Face Sounds Familiar, paired with his acting work in Ang Mutya ng Section E, makes him a natural fit for the athletic character. “We both love staying active and we both keep a lot to ourselves. That’s why I get him.”
For Shoaf, the magic of Bagets lies in its timelessness. “The story is about us—different era, different details, but the same struggles of growing up.”
A Story That Never Grows Old
With these four fresh faces, Bagets The Musical continues its mission of reintroducing a beloved classic to a new generation. More than just a nostalgia trip, it’s a vibrant reminder that courage, friendship, and the challenges of youth never go out of style.
Directed by Maribel Legarda, written by J-mee Katanyag, and with music under Vince Lim, the production is staged by VIVA Communications Inc., The Philippine STAR, Newport World Resorts, and PETA Plus, with support from Sun Life Philippines.
Bagets The Musical runs from January 23 to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, with more cast reveals still to come.
Photos courtesy of NWR Musicals.
See related post: Meet Bagets The Musical's Tonton and Gilbert
Bagets The Musical is Calling! Auditions Open for the Iconic Barkada's Stage Adaptation