Baron Geisler Still Clearly Remembers A Major ‘Dad Moment’ In His Personal Life–‘Naluha Talaga Ako’

If you haven’t seen Dollhouse on Netflix, which top bills Baron Geisler, let us tell you this: make sure your parent heart is ready–along with a box of tissue. For any parent who’s ever felt like they wanted to make up for their mistakes or made some regretful decisions that affect their family and kids, this movie is for you.

A number of fellow actors like Paolo Contis and Aga Mulach, to name a few, have expressed their praises for Baron’s work in Dollhouse as an alcoholic addict wannabe rockstar father who reconnects with his daughter for a short period. But when Smart Parenting caught up with the actor, what lit up Baron’s voice and his eyes was not his role in the movie. It was his real-life role as a father of three.

“I’m not so tough with my kids,” Baron said. He is married to Jamie Evangelista with whom he shares a daughter, Talitha Cumi. Jamie also has two older sons whom Baron proudly fathers as well.

He said that when nine-year-old Javi in particular started to call him “Dad”, Baron was touched. “Since our nine year old started calling me ‘Dad’ two years ago, grabe. ‘Yung heartstrings ko talaga. Hindi nila alam na na-to-touch talaga ako. Naluluha talaga ako.

Because Baron and Jamie parent kids of different ages–a teenager, a soon-to-be tween, and a young child–he parents each one uniquely. But he tries to make sure that he loves and treats them equally, “Gusto ko equal. [Pero] Iba-ibang approach. 

That includes setting aside one-on-one time with each child, to assure them and remind them they are loved. 

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“I learned that life is too short and I cannot turn back time. All I can do is be in the moment and cherish that moment, every single moment, with my child Yumi, he said.

“As a father naman, personally, that’s what I do. When I have work, when I’m here in Manila, I video call my daughter–the kids, the boys–to check up on them.

Baron added, “Kasi family comes first, work, second. Of course we do need to provide. But being present, is the most important thing in a relationship or in a family.

The Dollhouse lead actor touches on the dynamics between a parent and believes that providing for one’s kids is a parent’s responsibility that shouldn’t burden a child.

“Hindi naman nila pinili ipanganak so ang atin doon, hindi natin puwedeng sisihin o sabihin burden ang mga anak natin. Kasi choice natin yun. 

Baron said that while parents feel the struggle of providing, he thinks honesty and authenticity with the kids are important.

Parents are the first teachers

When Baron attended his first parent-teacher meeting, it was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before. “Wow, what an experience. Now I understand you, Mom and Dad,” Baron said.

His wife Jaime was already accustomed to parent-teacher meetings while Baron found himself asking more than the usual amount of questions and even skeptical of the feedback teachers gave his kids. 

“Ayoko pang maniwala. Is she pulling my leg? ‘Teacher, tell me the truth,’” Baron recounted his thoughts. He was worried about his daughter who was diagnosed with mild ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) but her teacher assured Baron that the cooperation between school and home will help Talitha.

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“The first education of children comes from home pa rin. We cannot blame teachers na ‘Bakit ganito, ganiyan?’ But because we know our children, we know how to maneuver. 

He adds, “The parents must adjust. Baliktad na ngayon eh, hindi before na ang mga bata, kailangan diyan lang sa tabi. Now, I believe, we’re raising good leaders. So I’m grateful na dumating ako sa ganiyang point sa buhay ko.

Baron’s blended family

Baron doesn’t shy away from the topic of his recovery from alcoholism. Instead, he likens their family to his journey. “The modern family is working for us. [Solo parents], there’s hope. It works.

The celebrity dad added, “It’s not naman toxic as long as you’re willing to do the legwork as well. You can’t just jump into a relationship or that kind of proposal without putting your best foot forward or effort man lang to be friends with your kids.

“It works when you work it, just like my recovery. Earlier in the year, Baron was reported to have relapsed. “If I don’t nourish my recovery, then I’ll just go back to my old ways.

And maybe it isn’t just the modern family setup that needs to be worked on. Family can be fun, but it’s also a lot of hard work.

Based on how Baron lights up when he talks about his wife and kids, it does look like the blended family is working for him.