Atasha Muhlach to Lead New Hotdog-Inspired Musical at Newport Performing Arts Theater

Atasha Muhlach will take the title role in the upcoming jukebox musical Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical, which is scheduled to open in September 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay, Metro Manila. The production, a collaboration between Newport World Resorts and Viva Communications, marks Muhlach’s first major lead in a theatrical show and brings her back to the venue where she first appeared on stage in 2011.

The announcement was made during a press conference on Wednesday, with the cast list including Sam Concepcion, KD Estrada, Jeff Moses and Anthony Rosaldo. The musical centers on the character Annie Batungbakal, a spirited young woman working as a dispatsadora at the fictional House of Pasion who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. The story follows her attempts to join the glamorous Coco Banana circle, only to discover that authenticity is key to acceptance. The score is built from the timeless songs of the Manila Sound band Hotdog, whose hit “Hotdog” inspired the character’s name.

Muhlach, a Viva artist, said in the press conference that the role feels like a “full‑circle moment.” She recalled her debut at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in 2011, when she played Brigitta von Trapp in the resort’s staging of The Sound of Music. “It feels like a full‑circle moment. This is where I first started my theater journey with The Sound of Music, and now I’m back for a new production on the same stage,” she said. She added that returning to the venue after 15 years was “deeply meaningful” and that the experience would stay with her for life.

The production is staged with PETA Plus, a partnership that supports the Philippine Entertainment and Performing Arts Association. Ticket sales for the show will begin in July, and a waitlist is currently available through Newport World Resorts’ online platform.

Newport World Resorts, formerly Resorts World Manila, is an integrated resort located opposite Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay. The resort’s Newport Performing Arts Theater opened in 2010 and is one of the three major performing‑arts venues in Metro Manila. The 1,500‑seat theater has hosted a variety of local and touring productions, including the recent Bagets: The Musical.

Viva Communications, a Philippine‑based media company founded in 1981, has long been involved in producing stage shows. The company’s partnership with Newport World Resorts for Bongga Ka, ’Day! follows a successful collaboration on Bagets: The Musical, which ran earlier in 2026.

Hotdog, the band whose songs form the backbone of the musical, was a leading act in the Manila Sound movement of the 1970s and 1980s. Their music has been described as a blend of disco, funk and Filipino pop, and the band’s catalog continues to influence contemporary Filipino musicians.

The announcement of Muhlach’s casting was reported by the Manila Times, ABS‑CBN, PhilStar, and other Philippine media outlets. The press release noted that the role is a “dream assignment” for the actress‑host, who has been active in television since 2023 as a host on E.A.T. (later Eat Bulaga!). She is the daughter of actors Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales and the twin sister of Andres Muhlach.

The musical’s opening in September places it among a growing number of jukebox productions that bring classic Filipino songs to the stage. Industry observers note that the show’s focus on authenticity and self‑expression aligns with current trends in Philippine theater, where audiences increasingly seek relatable stories set to familiar music.

As ticket sales open in July, fans of Muhlach and the Hotdog catalog will have the opportunity to see the actress perform live for the first time in a leading role. The production’s schedule, cast, and ticketing details remain available through Newport World Resorts’ official website and social‑media channels.

In summary, Atasha Muhlach’s return to the Newport Performing Arts Theater as Annie Batungbakal signals a notable moment in Philippine theater, combining a celebrated local band’s legacy with a rising star’s theatrical debut. The show’s September opening will add to the resort’s diverse programming and offer audiences a nostalgic yet fresh musical experience.