Arzen Rose Dulzura

“I want to be like him”: Baron Geisler on working with and learning from “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” actor-director Coco Martin

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Baron Geisler started his showbiz career as a child star in the early ’90s, and we didn’t just witness him grow up before our eyes—we also saw his steady evolution as an actor. </p><p>Just when we thought he had already explored every facet of his artistry and taken on nearly every role imaginable, he proved us wrong with his remarkable portrayal of Rockyboy Mondragon and his alter ego, Bernard Aguirre, in “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>.” As he bids farewell to the series, let us look back on Baron’s journey as one of its most compelling kontrabidas, and hear straight from him about the unforgettable experiences and lessons he gained from this stint in this feature. </p><p>It can be recalled that he first made an appearance to the show, along with veteran action star Roi Vinzon who played as his dad, Brando Mondragon, during the party organized by the Guerrero family following their victory in the last elections. Right on the get-go, viewers were introduced to his long-standing conflict with Miguelito (Jake Cuenca), as a heated confrontation between the two quickly escalated into an intense scuffle. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-O1rTMCxMQY?si=2p2-dVE7DZawaXIe" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Aside from the Mondragons’ involvement in the Guerreros’ corrupt dealings—as their family served as the go-to contractors for Manila’s government infrastructure projects—viewers also learned about his being a serial sexual perpetrator who exploited less privileged young women. Among his victims were Dimples (Criza Taa), the stepsister of Ponggay (Maris Racal), who he would come face to face later on, as she did her personal investigation into the case. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D8t26AwoP9o?si=stbjflVJt_fjHaad" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>After their first encounter at the hotel, where Tanggol saved Ponggay from being assaulted, Rockyboy once again crossed paths with him by chance. Unaware that he was the masked man from whom he had rescued Ponggay, Tanggol and his friends came to his aid after finding him badly wounded and unconscious at a garbage dump. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AxzdXp2ot_Y?si=9Y66mUpGtAyuN2Qz" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Rockyboy, who introduced himself as Bernard Aguirre and lied about what really happened to him, seized the opportunity to take revenge against Tanggol. He gained his and his group’s trust by posing as a harmless, gawky, and benevolent man, who, unbeknown to them would eventually betray them by trying to kill them, especially Tanggol. Unfortunately for him, his plans didn’t succeed as it was him who died in the end after his bloody skirmish with Tanggol.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KmNDVxQ-5JM?si=z2bokdb5zTr12qh0" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Following the exit of his character whom we loved to hate, Baron enthusiastically reminisced on his “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>” journey in his exit interview with CCM Film Productions.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTld-hdAX4Q/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A4921231.799999982%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="719" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Being part of the well-loved primetime series </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>“’Yong experience ko sa ‘Batang Quiapo’ is one for the books. Isa siyang experience na hindi ko malilimutan at marami akong mababaon. Marami akong natutunan sa co-actors ko, kay Direk Coco, sa lahat ng mga unit directors,” he began. “Unang-una, pakiramdam ko na mas gumaling ako as an artist because of the direction of my character.” </p><p>According to him, it was co-actor and director Coco Martin who conceptualized both Rockyboy and Bernard, including the dynamic switch between the two personas. Thus, it was him who mentored and guided him throughout the process, making his experience as an actor both seamless and highly rewarding. </p><p>Meanwhile, Baron also credited their brilliant director Malu Sevilla —whom he first worked with in the classic ’90s youth-oriented variety show “Ang TV,” which launched his showbiz career— for helping shape Rockyboy. Director Darnel Villaflor further refined the character, while Director Richard Somes handled the execution of his action scenes.  </p><p>While “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>” is known as an action drama, Baron shared that the people behind the series are, in truth, full of love, as they welcomed him wholeheartedly and treated him as family. So, in his departure, he carries with him meaningful memories and important lessons both in life and career that he intends to bring into his future projects. Besides, he’s thankful for this opportunity bestowed upon him, especially to Coco who entrusted him with the roles of Rockyboy and Bernard, which he really enjoyed portraying and will certainly never forget. </p><p>Apart from his character, Baron imparted that one of the things he liked best about being part of the show is the friendship he formed not just with his castmates but also with the staff and crew. He fondly related having a blast and feeling blessed to work alongside Roi Vinzon and Rosanna Roces, as well as his unforgettable experience with the members of Tropang Tanggol, who eventually became his friends in real life. He also enthused about the food served on set from breakfast to midnight snacks that always left him extra full! </p><p>Despite decades in the industry, Baron admitted he still felt nervous working alongside veterans and highly respected thespians. Yet, immersing himself in his character and being guided closely by the directors helped him deliver his performance effectively. </p><p>“Ang klaro kasi nila magbigay ng instructions, ang ganda ng sistema ng [production], systematic, walang delays. So, everything is just convenient for an actor. Parang I just have to go to the set, be on time [or] be early, memorize my lines and have fun,” he related. “Natutuwa naman ako na pinagbibigyan nila ako na laruin ‘yong character ko.” </p><p>As for his takeaways from this truly unforgettable stint, Baron confessed that he actually sought advice from Coco, which he’s able to apply in real life. </p><p>“Hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yong mga conversations namin. Bilib ako, bilib na bilib ako kay Direk Coco as a businessman, as an artist, ang taba ng utak niya kasi,” he said. Sinabi ko sa kanya kanina noong nagkuwentuhan kami na parang, ‘Direk, hindi ko po kayo binibilog. I’m not pulling your leg.’ For like two or three generations, talaga siya lang ang nagkaroon ng breakthrough and chance to become like FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr), you know what I mean? Or maybe later even more.” </p><p>He continued, “Kasi sa batch namin, wala siyang katulad. Nagdi-direk, nagsusulat, nagpro-produce, may other business pa aside from just show business and he knows how to juggle all of these things. Tapos pagdating sa set, napakasaya niyang tao, napakabait niyang tao. So, doon ako humanga sa kanya na parang, ‘I want to be like him. I want to have what he has.’ But I know naman may limits.” </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Favorite scenes as Rockyboy and Bernard </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>When asked about his favorite scenes, Baron initially had a hard time choosing since there were so many, yet he was able to enumerate a few—starting with the creation of Bernard.  </p><p>“’Yong pag-create kay Bernard kasi wala naman ‘yon sa unang plano noong kinausap ako for my character [at] noong nag-storycon kami. So pagdating ko sa set, biglang Direk Coco acted it out for me,” he related, and went on to add that all the nuances of Bernard he actually got from Coco.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UOug_1PxFjw?si=H5qcbAgMMRf4mETi" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>He also couldn’t forget the scene wherein Rockyboy murdered Mang Donato, played by Direk Richard, while the latter was devouring his favorite noodles. For Baron, it was surreal to share a scene with the director he truly reveres, which for him was a dream come true. The same with the several scenes he had with Coco, Christopher de Leon, and the members of Tropang Tanggol that indeed left him in awe. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EEqUkVc0tQE?si=rPQ2BEJ5OpBeWeh7" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>As he conveyed his heartfelt message for Coco, Baron recalled how the actor-director amazingly came up with a better way to execute the death scene of his character, Rockyboy, on the spot. According to him, it was originally intended to be much simpler than how it ultimately turned out. </p><p>He related, “Ito ngang death scene ko dapat ano lang to e, sobrang simple. Tapos nag-meeting na naman sila, ginawa niyang (Coco) highlight. So, maraming salamat na hindi lang ako pinatay nang basta-basta. Talagang it’s very entertaining, action-packed, and gory. It&#x27;s something new on TV, ‘di ba? You have action and somewhat a little bit of horror combined. Sino mag-iisip no’n, di ba? And then may comedy nang kaunti, so everything is just so balanced.”  </p><p>Baron was also reminded of a significant trait that he picked up from Coco, which was to be observant. The actor-director told him that, in his early years in the industry, he developed the habit of watching closely how everyone works on set.  </p><p>“As I&#x27;m getting wiser, a little bit older, nandoon na ako sa nae-enjoy ko ‘yong lahat ng proseso ng bawat departamento. Nire-respeto ko ‘yong proseso nila at marami na rin po akong nakukuha sa kanila na ibabaon. So, I believe na I grew up a lot dito sa show na ‘to,” he said. </p><p>Baron concluded the interview by thanking everyone who showed their unwavering support for the program, especially those who embraced his character, and by expressing his hope that viewers felt just how much he enjoyed every moment and cherished each scene. </p><p>With the death of Rockyboy, Tanggol and his group have lost another enemy. Will they be able to do the same with their remaining adversaries? Let&#x27;s find out by not missing an episode of “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, ALLTV2, A2Z, <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).</p>

<p>Baron Geisler shares his memorable experiences working on “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.” as well as his valuable takeaways from Coco Martin.</p>

Baron Geisler shares his memorable experiences working on “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.” as well as his valuable takeaways from Coco Martin.