Opisyal nang inanunsiyo ngayong Miyerkules ng hapon, Hunyo 17, 2026, na si Atasha Muhlach ang magbibida sa Bongga Ka ‘Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical.
Siya ang napiling gumanap na Annie Batungbakal, ang karakter na pinasikat ni National Artist Nora Aunor sa Annie Batungbakal, ang pelikulang ipinalabas sa mga sinehan noong 1979.
Itatanghal ang Bongga Ka ‘Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical sa Newport Performing Arts Theater ng Resort Worlds Manila, Pasay City, sa Setyembre 2026.
Lahad ni Atasha: “First reaction ko po was tears of joy. Kasi parang full-circle moment para sa akin
"Kasi nagsimula po ako sa theater and that’s when I realized na gusto ko talaga um-enter sa industry na ito.
"And it made me realize my passions for performing the arts and the craft."
Dagdag pa niya: “Imagine, fifteen years later, now we’re here and I am performing in the same stage where it all began.
"So to me, it’s a full-circle moment and it’s so heartwarming.
"And I am nothing but honored and feeling so blessed to have this opportunity.
"Kasi it’s Annie Batungbakal, it’s the Manila sound Hotdog."
Read: Is Atasha the new Annie Batungbakal in Bongga Ka, 'Day! musical?
ATASHA MUHLACH'S PREPARATIONS
Marami raw paghahanda ang ginagawa ni Atasha para sa karakter na gagampanan niya sa entablado.
Ito ang kanyang ibinahagi nang humarap siya sa mga miyembro ng entertainment press sa opisina ng Viva Entertainment sa Pasig City ngayong Miyerkules.
Saad ni Atasha: “Ang daming preparations. May voice lessons ako, may dance lessons, acting lessons.
"And it actually started a few months ago, just with the auditions, preparing for it. It was months in the making, hours and days of hard work.
"And even leading up to it, there was so much pressure to just make sure it was good.
"And I am just happy now that we’re all here today.”
Ano naman ang mga payo sa kanya ng mga magulang niyang sina Aga Muhlach at Charlene Gonzalez, pati na ng kanyang kakambal na si Andres Muhlach na nagbida sa Bagets: The Musical.
“Yung advice nila usually is ‘Kaya mo yan.’ Pero if not that, they always remind us to always have a grateful heart,” sagot ni Atasha.
“To always work hard, nothing good in life comes easy and, yes, it’s going to be a challenge.
"But to take that and don’t take it for granted, as in ibibigay ko talaga ang one hundred percent ko.”
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ATASHA MUHLACH ON REPRISING THE ROLE OF NATIONAL ARTIST NORA AUNOR
Sinabi ni Atasha na isang malaking karangalan para sa kanya na bigyang buhay ang karakter ni National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor.
Pahayag niya: “Honored. Super honored for this opportunity and, more importantly, blessed talaga.
"And this is really a dream, to go back to the theater, even with this role, Annie Batungbakal.
“She represents a Filipino dreamer and I can super-super relate to that because now I am living my dream.
“Presently right now, every day I wake up, and I am so happy that I am able to live my dream.”
Ano ang pagkakapareho ng ugali nila ni Annie Batungbakal?
Sagot ni Atasha: “Like I said, she’s a dreamer. There are so many things I want to do.
"Alam ko naman na bago pa rin ako sa industry na ito and I have a very much long way to go, but there’s so much I wil learn especially with this project.
“I am gonna learn so much from my peers — from the training, rehearsals, and even the final performance.”
May mensahe ring iniwan si Atasha para sa mga kabataang kaedad niya.
Aniya: “I am excited for them to see this whole production. It’s Bongga Ka ‘Day: Annie Batungbakal.
"I am excited for my generation to feel the beautiness of the Manila Sound.
“To feel the energy, the fun, the vibrance, the joy and seeing everything come together and showing parts of the Philippines.”
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