To Baron Geisler,
I did not judge you because I am the type of person who do not cast judgment on people...on anyone for that matter, especially if I do not personally know the person.
I did not judge you based on what was written about you or reported about you. I was warned about you by many of your fellow actors. "Do not ever work with Baron".
You showed pride when you declared that you do not need this movie, nor the talent fee. But your actions betrayed the truth: you needed this, you wanted this....so much.
When you found the courage to be truthful, that you needed the money because of the hospital needs of your sick mother, I decided, why not pursue the decision of casting you, (any role you even said)taking into consideration the persistence you showed in following up the script, the role to be assigned to you and the schedule of shoot, were indications that you wanted this, you needed this. You even called me one time at past 11 in the evening...to which I did not reply because ...I was sleeping when you called.
You were one of the actors that I have in mind but it was a roller coaster battle in my mind on whether to push through with that decision or not.
In the end, I decided to trust my original plan to cast you in this latest movie that I am dong.
When we finally sat down to discuss your role, you told me, "Direk, I will work sober".
I dealt with you just as I dealt with other people, with respect.
When you reported on the set, you even happily declared to me, " Direk, I am sober for five days na!" I applauded and even kidded you, "Bakit five days lang, ituloy mo na!" You cannot deny that in spite of the short time that I have come to know you, I supported your intention that you want to live a sober life. Before shooting your first scene, schedule for Day 4, you even told me, you wanted to engage in business and live a different life, a different Baron, different from what others think about you.
I believe that words are a person's truth. My fault is in believing.
What you did on the set, for the film BUBOG is unacceptable and cannot be justified by any claim of being in character because I repeatedly explained to you and was clearly written on the script where your character is coming from and how I wanted it to be tackled, stressing that the idea is, power is felt, not expressed. To show true might, in subdued silence and suppressed emotions.
Ping Medina does not deserve what you did. No actor deserves that. No person deserves that.
You claim, you respect him and me? ....Define to me respect after what you did.
You wanted four days of shoot. No, more 2nd, 3rd or 4th day with you. I have killed your character and the story and script will stand without you.
You told your girlfriend Nina that you have never felt a happy set.
You found a happy set---we all gave you a chance.
Now you lost one happy group to be with.
You told Ping you are ready to face the consequences of your action.
Be ready to face it.
Because you cannot get away with everything that you do, all the time.
To my fellow filmmakers, you may think you need Baron in your movies...but you don't...you really don't.
Arlyn Dela Cruz
28 November 2016
This is really sad. Sinayang ni Baron yung chance niya.
