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MANILA, Philippines — Stage and screen actor John "Sweet" Lapus will consider his performance in "Bongga Ka Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical" a success if he is at the receiving end of bashing from fans of Atasha Muhlach, who will play the titular character.
The '70s-Manila set musical based on the songs of the Manila Sound band Hotdog will follow Atasha's Annie, who sneaks into the glamorous disco scene to chase her dream of becoming a fashion designer and risks losing herself in the process.
Sweet will alternate with Dindo Divinagracia as the Batungbakals' neighbor, Tito Tambay and Tarurit, proprietor of the Coco Banana disco in Malate where creatives and socialites come together.
A media conference was held for the production at Newport World Resorts last July 7, which was also Sweet's 53rd birthday. He quipped a "thank you" for those who came to his "grand birthday party."
The comedian described his Tarurit as "maldita, suplada, at laitera," and joked he was preparing himself to be bashed and get canceled by fans of Atasha.
"Ganyang level si Tarurit. Ganoon talaga, that's part of the job," Sweet continued. "So siguro 'pag nagalit sa'kin mga fans ni Atasha, isa lang ibig sabihin 'nun — job well done."
Sweet teased it was for audiences to learn if Tarurit will undergo a character development in the show.
He has met the inspiration for Tarurit, but Sweet said he will build his own character.
The actor, who once routinely did flips and "buwis-buhay" dance steps for the "Don't Lie To Me" segment of the now-defunct 2007 showbiz talk show "Showbiz Central," said that "Annie Batungbakal" may be his last musical due to the physical demands of the show.
Apart from Tarurit, Aurora Pasion is a pivotal character in the musical. Aurora is Annie's boss, who is an old-school yet influential fashion designer. She will be alternated between Jackie Lou Blanco and Ring Antonio.
Jackie Lou described Aurora as "a hard worker na medyo stuck in the past" who does not open herself up to the changes around her, especially of her son Romer (alternated among Sam Concepcion, Anthony Rosaldo, and Jeff Moses).
"Titignan natin throughout the musical kung papaano mabubuksan ang isip niya, hindi lang [dahil] sa anak niya but also Annie," Jackie Lou ended, adding she was most excited for that part of the role.
"Bagets the Musical" producers Newport World Resorts, VIVA Communications, and The Philippine STAR reunite to stage "Bongga Ka Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical" beginning this September.
RELATED: Aga, Charlene give full support to daughter Atasha's latest musical
