A Bagets celebrates 40

I confess that this problem has me stumped. Is Bagets used as a single or plural noun? It is usually single being a Filipino slang for a teen-aged boy or girl or when used in English, like the French bread. But then the sound of that letter “s” at the end makes it sound plural if we are to go by the smooth flow of the language. Whatever!!! Let this be a problem for those who deal with semantics.

Anyway, the Bagets here refers to the singer and actor Raymond Lauchengco, therefore singular and a true blue Bagets. He was a part of a group of boys who were launched to stardom via the movie titled, what else, but “Bagets” in February 1984.

Produced by Viva Films, written by Jake Tordesillas and directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, “Bagets” tells the story of five boys and their adventures, misadventures, families, love lives, fears and dreams, etc. during their senior year in high school.

Aside from Raymond, the other Bagets were played by William Martinez, then already a big star; former child actor and comedian Herbert Bautista; martial arts enthusiast and budding action star JC Bonnin; and a 14-year-old newcomer from the fabled Muhlach clan of Philippine showbusiness, Aga Muhlach.

The movie “Bagets” not only made the term a household word that remains in active use to this day. The picture also conquered the box office, launched fashion styles, dance steps and turned the boys into major stars. There was also a big-selling and truly enduring soundtrack album which gave Raymond two of the biggest hits of his career, the originals, So It’s You, composed by Cecile Azarcon, and Farewell, composed by Odette Quesada.

Raymond was discovered by the then future Megastar Sharon Cuneta. They were both high school students at the International School. After finding out that aside from his good looks, he could also sing, Sharon brought Raymond to Viva. He was signed to a recording and movie contract, was sent off to the movie set to join Sharon and Rowell Santiago in “Cross My Heart” and to the recording studio to do his first album.

Thus began a career that has lasted over 40 years and that is what Raymond is celebrating with a concert titled Just Got Lucky at The Theatre in Solaire on Nov. 23. For all Bagets fans and Raymond diehards, prepare to get into a time machine to experience those heady, fun-filled bagets days of long ago with this show.

Watch Just Got Lucky and dance and sing to the sounds of “Bagets,” “Bagets 2” and “Hotshots” like Standing in the Shadow of Time, I Need You Back, So It’s You, Then Maybe and never, never forget the all-time favorite graduation song, Farewell. Marvel at Raymond’s expressive baritone singing Saan Darating ang Umaga by George Canseco and Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan by Willy Cruz. Maybe he will also do the show’s title tune.

Now Just Got Lucky was a perky tune popularized by the British band JoBoxers in 1983. It was not used in the Bagets movie soundtrack. But somebody so clever and blessed with ears that could spot a hit gave it to the bagets and it was used to promote the movie.

Just Got Lucky proved to be so successful as a promo tool that one of the most enduring memories of the Bagets era is that of the boys and girls from the movie dancing to the tune while making circles with their fists. Maybe Raymond will sing and dance to that one, too.

And all that happened 40 years ago. Who would have thought that a baget or a bagets will have a 40th anniversary. Well, time passes but let us all be thankful we are able to celebrate and remember.