Baron Geisler opens up about his alcohol relapse

Baron Geisler (left) with wife Jamie and daughter Talitha

Baron Geisler cleaned up his act and started his journey to sobriety when he married Jamie Evangelista. The birth of their adorable daughter Talitha all the more made him want to stop his alcohol addiction.

Baron’s change for the better is very much evident in their happy family photos and videos on his Instagram account. But the recovering alcoholic in him had a relapse, according to his wife. Their vid, which has since been deleted, where Jamie was confronting Baron as she threw a bottle of liquid that spilled all over Baron in bed, went viral.

As a friend, I checked on Baron. Since I’m a drinker myself, he knows that I get his drift and understand his struggle. That’s why he granted me an interview even if he has already pleaded for privacy from the media. Thanks for trusting me enough as a friend to share your thoughts amid your personal crisis, Baron.

As one of my fave quotes goes, “Mistakes are proof that we are trying.” So, let’s go easy on Baron as he tries his best to get back on track after his relapse. Tout comme moi, may he get to a point where he consumes alcohol without letting alcohol consume him.

Here’s my exclusive chat with Baron:

How are you and Jamie after the spat due to the relapse that led to binge-drinking?

Jamie and I followed the advice of our sponsors to take a break and seek treatment as we renew our efforts to each work on our “12-step program.”

Hopefully, we can soon be back together when emotions are less raw.

I pray for Jamie every day and ask the Lord’s grace for me as I work on my program. I am staying with my sponsor and his family in Bulacan. This is intense work, way different than rehab.

I am learning to live life on life’s terms. I’m doing service in our community. I work out every day. I have to cook dinner on Thursdays and clean the yard and garden and look after four dogs. I am still actively working to provide for my family.

What’s your message to those who pass judgment on you?

People who are critical of a disease they do not understand are just ignorant. I hope that they learn more about alcoholism because millions of Filipinos are suffering with their families in silence and not getting help because of the shame others put on them.

As for those who are critical of my absence during my daughter’s baptism, I will say this: If I was at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston for treatment of cancer, no one would say, “Why was Baron not there?”

More Filipinos die from alcohol-related causes than cancer. I am getting the treatment I need to deal with my illness. Please give me the same courtesy you would a cancer patient.

What’s your message to your daughter, Talitha?

I love you, and I will always be with you and support you. I was not there during your baptism, but I was with you in spirit. Your daddy is doing all he can to make our family a place where you will always be happy and where Christ reigns.

Elisse Joson (left) and McCoy de Leon

No pressure for ‘McLisse’ to rush into marriage

As Elisse Joson and McCoy de Leon savor parenthood joys with baby Felize, their “McLisse” tandem is reborn in “Habang Buhay” (now streaming on Vivamax). It’s about a girl who is in constant battle for her life asking a boy to fight for their love. The film that is directed by Real Florido will hit hearts bull’s-eye.

Here are quotes from Elisse (E), Real (R) and McCoy (M):

E: The journey of the characters we portray is quite similar to what we went through as a couple. So I had to recapture the hurt. McCoy and I reconciled when the bitterness was gone.

M: In our movie, it shows how we have matured as actors and as a couple. When I wooed Elisse back, I promised her that I will keep proving my sincerity, even with no cameras around. Even if many celebrity couples split up recently, we don’t let it affect us. We just make each other feel secure daily.

R: The dynamics of McLisse in real life is different, so it was quite tricky how to make them play a couple on the verge of falling in love. But they were game to mold their characters into their persona.

E: We refuse to get pressured by people asking when we will get married. We don’t want to rush things just because we have a baby and then regret later. We want to be emotionally prepared before taking the plunge. But we will definitely get there.

M: My character JR is more extreme than I am. We are more conservative and chill as a couple compared to the one we portray.

R: I was floored by McLisse’s depth and range. Their tandem works because they have been through a lot as a couple. So they have a deep reservoir of emotions to draw from.

E: Struggles are part of the package. You just have to make the decision to fight for your relationship. Love is not enough. There must be trust, patience and the willingness to forgive.