Kuwentong Peyups
Atty. Dennis Gorecho
Bagets: nostalgia of high school life
Taralets Bagets!
Bagets is a Filipino slang term for teenagers or young people, often implying they are energetic, trendy, or slightly inexperienced.
It is a colloquial, shortened term derived from “bagito” (new/young) with a plural “s” used to describe the youth generation.
It is also often used in workplaces to refer to younger, tech-savvy employees, or simply to describe someone young at heart.
Its use was popularized by the 1984 Philippine coming-of-age comedy film “Bagets” directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes from a story, screenplay written by Jake Tordesillas, produced and distributed by Viva Films.
The film stars William Martinez, J.C. Bonnin, Herbert Bautista, Raymond Lauchengco, and Aga Muhlach as the titular teenagers, with the support cast includes Jobelle Salvador, Eula Valdez, and Yayo Aguila.
Set in the 1980s, the film follows the lives of five teenage boys on the road of manhood as they navigate friendship, love, identity, and family, through all their respective emotional ups and downs, misadventures, and profound realizations.
The film, theatrically released on February 2, 1984 , immortalized the Tagalog slang term for “youth,” and has become a cultural touchstone for Filipino Generation X.
The film was a huge box-office success in Philippine cinema after it was shown and its popularity was proven after teenagers, especially boys started copying the hairstyle and clothing style of the film’s lead stars: the bold layering of colors, two-toned Chuck Taylors, the pin buttons.
Its popularity also set the trend for youth oriented movies in Philippine cinema.
No one expected the phenomenon “Bagets” was going to be as the success of the film spawned a sequel, a television remake, and a musical adaptation.
I recently watched “Bagets: The Musical” which is a full-scale stage adaptation of the iconic 1984 film.
It is a “nostalgia trip” that blends original songs with salin-awit (translated song) adaptations of iconic 1980s hits which include Growing Up (Gary Valenciano), Farewell (Raymond Lauchengco/ Ethan David), So It’s You (Raymond Lauchengco), Why Don’t You Care (Harner), High School High (Spirit), Take On Me (A-ha), Build Me Up Buttercup (The Foundations), Our House (Madness), Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Wham!), State of the Nation (Industry), Loving You (Ric Segreto) and Just Got Lucky (Jo Boxers).
The five main teenagers are portrayed by a rotating cast of rising stars and P-pop artists: Adie (originally Muhlach) played by Andres Muhlach and Mico Hendrix Chua; Arnel (originally Lauchengco) played by KD Estrada and Ethan David; Gilbert (originally Bautista) played by l Noel M. Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez; Tonton (originally Martinez) played by Milo Cruz and Migo Valid; and Topee (originally Bonnin) played by Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf.
The film has personal impact since I was also still in high school in 1984 when the film was released.
I finished high school at Sta. Clara Parish School (SCPS) in Pasay in 1987 and entered college life at the University of the Philippines where I finished BS Economics (1991) and Bachelor of Laws (1998).
Bagets life can also essentially be associated with the symbolic quote “Carpe Diem” from the 1989 film “Dead Poets Society” that aptly captures memories of our high school life.
Carpe Diem is lifted from the Latin phrase “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero,” that can be translated as “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one.”
Literally meaning to seize the day, the Latin phrase is commonly interpreted to mean look for opportunities in life and make the most of them.
John Keating (Robin Williams) was hired as a new English teacher in an elite all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students.
Keating’s “carpe diem” philosophy inspired many of his students to lead lives structured around their own unique passions, ignoring the dictums of their parents and the other school teachers.
The movie highlights the importance of the fact that you only live once and you should live on your your own terms.
We had some bad times in high school, but we also had so many amazing experiences.
High school years were indeed difficult moments, but the best and memorable times were spent with those who shared the experience.
Those years were full of vivid memories that still bring smiles and funny thoughts to each of us, many years hence.
The film also kind of influenced the language of the time. Because if you were not “Bagets” , you’re most likely “Forgets.”
“Bagets: The Musical” runs January 23 to March 22, 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
( Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0908-8665786)
