Atasha Muhlach calls ‘Bongga Ka ‘Day’ audition a ring of fire, recalls intense callbacks

The actress recalls intense callbacks, “ring of fire” auditions, and excitement playing Annie Batungbakal.

When Atasha Muhlach sat down to talk about landing the role of Annie Batungbakal in the musical “Bongga Ka ‘Day,” she made one thing clear: she is giving it her all.

“I’m so excited to explore this character and her journey throughout the story,” she said in a video posted on Facebook by Newport World Resorts, the show’s producer.

Behind that excitement, however, was a nerve-wracking audition process that tested her preparation and resolve.

“I was so nervous during the audition process,” Muhlach admitted. “There was so much preparation leading up to it. I prepared a dance choreography to the song ‘Annie Batungbakal,’ of course, and two songs: one Hotdog track and one from the ’70s.”

The pressure intensified as she advanced to the callbacks.

“When director Chris Maliado said, ‘Are you free tomorrow for callbacks?’ everything kind of sank in,” she recalled. “It was that feeling of, ‘Hey, we made it. We’re here, and we’re doing this now.’”

Inside the audition room, Muhlach said the atmosphere was both intimidating and inspiring.

“It felt like a ring of fire because there were so many great, talented artists,” she said. “You could feel the pressure and the nerves, but everyone was so sweet and kind throughout the process.”

Now officially part of the production, Muhlach is looking forward to building connections with the cast and crew as she steps into a new creative environment.

“I’m entering a new family,” she said. “This is the ‘Bongga Ka ‘Day’ family, and everyone has been nothing but the best.”

“Meeting the entire cast and production team has been a pure joy,” she added. “I can feel the vibrance. It’s amazing.”

With rehearsals underway, Muhlach is focused on fully embracing Annie Batungbakal and delivering a performance that matches the musical’s energy and legacy.

“Sabay-sabay tayo magbonga!” she said.

“Bongga Ka ‘Day: The Annie Batungbakal Musical” opens this September at Newport World Resorts.

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