Jason Paul Laxamana. Image: Instagram/@jplaxamana
Film and TV director Jason Paul Laxamana recently shared that he has Asperger’s syndrome, and expressed relief in receiving such diagnosis.
On Sunday, Aug. 6, the “Just a Stranger” director-writer took to Instagram to bravely reveal that he is “on the autism spectrum,” a discovery he learned a day before.
“Yesterday, I got [a] diagnosis that I am on the autism spectrum. I have Asperger’s Syndrome,” Laxamana wrote in his post’s caption, as he began to express his feelings about his developmental condition.
According to health journals, those who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome are described as “having a high-functioning form of autism spectrum disorder.”
Moreover, those diagnosed with such “are considered to have good cognitive and language skills,” but “still experience difficulties with communication and social interaction, and show repetitive behaviors.”
However, the public is reminded “that every person with Asperger’s syndrome — and autism spectrum disorder more generally — is different.”
Also a director of music videos, Laxamana recalled feeling “relieved” coming out of his session with his psychiatrist.
“I cried after my session with the psychiatrist, not because I am sad, but because I am relieved to finally know how I’m built as a human being, and relieved to finally understand my experiences in life for the past decades, especially those times I suffered mentally and felt like an odd entity in society,” shared the Pampanga native, who expressed an empowered stance with regard to having access to his special needs and on making decisions that will cater to his best interest.
“Now I can finally take care of my special needs, assert and demand them as much as possible, and avoid situations that do not serve my best interest. #ASD #autism #aspergers,” Laxamana capped off his testimony.
He received support from several people, including actors he has previously worked with. Bela Padilla, who Laxamana directed in films such as “The Day After Valentine’s” and “100 Tula para kay Stella,” wrote in the comments section, “[emojis] this Stella is very proud of you!”
Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, who starred opposite Marco Gumabao in the 2023 Laxamana feature “Baby Boy, Baby Girl,” echoed Padilla’s sentiments, as she told the director, “Sending my love and so proud of all your accomplishments direk!”
Screenshot from Jason Paul Laxamana’s Instagram page
Other stars who sent love to Laxamana include Janella Salvador, Luis Hontiveros, Andrea Del Rosario, and Diego Loyzaga, who is set to appear alongside Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Jerome Ponce in the Laxamana-helmed film “A Glimpse of Forever.”
Screenshot from Jason Paul Laxamana’s Instagram page
Aside from his upcoming film projects which include “Penduko” — one of the first four official entries for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) — Laxamana is also in charge of some episodes of the Kapatid drama anthology “For the Love.” EDV