Atasha Muhlach on landing Annie Batungbakal role: 'Ibibigay ko talaga ang 100% ko'

Atasha Muhlach admitted she was overwhelmed with nerves during the audition process for the lead role in the upcoming "Bongga Ka, 'Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical."

The actress and host said a callback from the production team was the moment she realized she had a real shot at becoming the show's titular character.

"Grabe ang kabado ko sa audition process. There was so much preparation leading up to it," she said in a video released by the production.

Atasha said she prepared extensively for the auditions, including a dance routine to the iconic song "Annie Batungbakal" and performances of two songs from the Manila Sound era.

Despite her nerves, she said her excitement grew after receiving a call from director Chris Millado.

"I was very nervous, but siyempre naman sobrang excited because when director Chris Millado said, 'Are you free tomorrow for callbacks?' everything kind of sinks in and it was that feeling of, 'Hey, we made it. We're here, we're here, and we're doing this now,'" she recalled.

The road to the role, however, was far from easy.

"When we were in callbacks, it felt like the ring of fire because there were so many great, talented artists in the audition room and you could feel the pressure and the nerves," she said.

Still, Atasha said she found comfort in the camaraderie among the performers vying for the same role.

"Everyone was so, so sweet and so kind throughout the whole process," she said.

Now officially part of the cast, she said she is looking forward to building relationships with her fellow performers and bringing Annie Batungbakal to life on stage.

"I'm entering a new family. Ito po 'yung Bongga Ka, 'Day!' family and everyone has been nothing but the best," she said.

"Meeting the whole cast and the whole production team has been a pure joy and I can feel all the vibrance on set. It's amazing."

Atasha also promised audiences that she would give her all in portraying the beloved character.

"For sure, expect na ibibigay ko talaga ang 100 percent ko to portray Annie Batungbakal and I'm so excited to explore this character and her journey throughout this whole story," she said.

The musical, inspired by the iconic Hotdog hit that became synonymous with the Manila Sound movement of the 1970s, is set to open this September at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Aside from Atasha, the musical will also star Sparkle artists Jeff Moses and Anthony Rosaldo.

—Sherylin Untalan/MGP, GMA News