Tempting Baron Geisler

Baron Geisler. INQUIRER file photo

On his first day on the set of Tikoy Aguiluz’s “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story,” actor Baron Geisler said the scene involved a drinking spree.

On his fourth month of a rehabilitation program at the time, Geisler remained stoic as the crew brought out cases of beer and laid out the bottles on the table.

So there he was, in 1950s costume, being tempted with alcohol. “It was no laughing matter,” he admitted, but he coped rather well. “Ayoko talaga. I just wanted to work.”

In fact, Geisler had been apprehensive about accepting “Asiong Salonga,” an entry in this December’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

Gangster film remake

In the period film—a remake of the gangster flick that made Joseph Estrada a star in 1961—Geisler plays Erning Toothpick, a role originated by the late character actor Paquito Diaz.

At first, Geisler couldn’t figure out Aguiluz’s work style. “I wondered why he was taking all those shots of scenes that I didn’t think were important.”

But after seeing the rushes, “I understood what Direk Tikoy wanted to achieve. Brilliant. He’s a true artist.”

Geisler was similarly impressed with the lead actor and the film’s producer, Laguna Gov. Jeorge “ER” Ejercito.

“He used to play psychotic killers in his old movies,” Geisler noted. “In this one, I think he shows class and consistency. We’d all watch as Gov. ER and Tikoy worked. The results were always amazing. Wow! Idol ko sila.”

The production company spared no expense, Geisler said. “They brought in Seng Ka Wee, a fight instructor from Hong Kong who worked on [the Hollywood flicks] ‘Bangkok Dangerous’ and ‘The Scorpion King 2.’ Direk Tikoy aims to screen the film in festivals abroad.”

Plus, the production design team recreated 1950s Quiapo in Pagsanjan, Laguna.

Geisler may join the cast of another Aguiluz-Ejercito collaboration, the Emilio Aguinaldo bio-pic “El Presidente,” due for release next year.

Aguiluz said, “When I brought up his name for ‘Asiong,’ a lot of people objected. He could be a headache daw.” But talent prevailed, Aguiluz said. “Baron has strong screen presence. I’m happy with his performance.”