Veteran actor Baron Geisler opened up about his tumultuous past, family dynamics, and ongoing journey to redemption in an emotional interview with journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes, published on her YouTube channel on July 24.
Known for his past controversies and “bad boy” image, Baron traced the roots of his behavior to childhood trauma and deep-seated insecurities. “I was raised well naman—sundalo tatay ko—but not so much,” he shared. “Mas paborito niya kuya ko, si Donnie Geisler, my brother the two-time Olympian. So, I grew up crying to compete with my brother, trying to compete for my father’s love and attention kasi I was always second best.”
He recalled a painful memory from 1998, when his father brought Donnie to the Olympics in Seoul while he was sent to Bicol with their mother. “Uy bakit special treatment naman si Donnie? Iba ‘yung kinakain niya—good food galing sa commissary sa Clark Airbase,” Baron said.
Baron also revealed the extreme discipline he experienced from his mother growing up. “She can be very sweet and affectionate, and then mamaya, may nagawa akong mali, sobrang grabe. Lumaki ako sa palo,” he recounted. One particularly scarring incident involved being forced to eat a pack of cigarettes after being caught smoking.
These early experiences, he said, led to a struggle with identity and a desperate need to be accepted. “I started the drugs and alcohol at a very young age—12, 13, 14. At 14 I was doing hard core drugs already because I wanted to grow up so fast,” he said.
Even at the height of his early TV fame, Baron was already deep in addiction. “When we, the Koolits, were dancing in ASAP, I was high on drugs,” he admitted, referring to his group with John Lloyd Cruz and Marc Solis. “I would find a cubicle in ABS-CBN, then I would do my drugs there… After a few minutes, sasayaw na kami sa ASAP, pa-cutie-cutie kami.”
Baron confessed he took advantage of his family’s connections to get away with bad behavior. “I’m not proud. Kapag naiisip ko, nakakasuka na, honest,” he said.
The actor also opened up about his time in jail, including one stint where he stayed over a month in Quezon City Jail. He shared that even after release, he went back to drinking. “Feeling ko ako ang Diyos. Even jail did not scare me,” he said.
His mother’s passing became a turning point. “Sabi nga niya, ‘Baron kapag namatay ako, kawawa ka sa mga kapatid mo,’” he recalled. He believes his siblings refused to bail him out during one of his arrests so he could suffer the consequences of his actions.
Eventually, Baron sought help, asking his family to assist him in entering rehab. “I am a recovering alcoholic,” he said, acknowledging that while the road ahead will have challenges, he is now more focused on the good. “What I know is that I am beginning to get addicted to good results.”
The raw and heartfelt interview resonated with fans, many of whom applauded Baron’s honesty, growth, and renewed faith.
