The Cinemalaya 2008 entry Jay has been earning accolades abroad for its eye-opening view on mass media and the people who work behind the scenes. Its most recent recognition was the Special Mention that it received during the 5th Bahamas International Film Festival. (Click HERE to read related article.)

Director Francis Xavier Pasion also wrote the story of Jay, which is about two namesakes. Jay Santiago (Baron Geisler) is a homosexual TV producer who documents the death of a homosexual teacher named Jay Mercado who lives a secret life. In the process of producing his TV program, Jay Santiago intrudes into the private grief of the other Jay's family. He is drawn to the secret life and the dead teacher's former boyfriend Edward (played by Coco Martin).

During the awards night of the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival, Baron Geisler told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that he is actually an associate producer of Jay. This film was adjudged as the Best Film during Cinemalaya 2008 "for its sheer originality, its energetic storytelling, its mastery of digital technology in order to tell a story that is a trenchant commentary on the technology itself, and its very revealing take on the media and the uses and abuses of the truth..." It also earned the Best Actor plum for Baron and it also bagged the Best Editing Award.

Why did he decide to become an associate producer of Jay? "It's because I wanted to be a more matured artist. Involved ako sa pre-prod and post-production."

How did he feel about being a first-time producer? "Accomplished po saka feeling ko matured na talaga ako at ready ako na harapin ang kahit na ano dito sa showbiz."

What advice would he give to other stars who might be going through difficult challenges similar to what he faced in the past. "Kaya nga ginagawa ko ito para maging inspirasyon sa kanila...Love your craft, wag mong pabayaan ang talent na binigay sa inyo ng Diyos kasi tenfold, twentyfold and balik niyan sa iyo pati na rin ang respeto ng tao sa ‘yo. Hindi porke't sikat ka na, feeling mo pwede ka nang ma-late. Artista ka lang, employee ka lang."

Baron feels that he still has a lot of growing up to do in order to reach what his idols have achieved. "Gusto kong maabot sina Jake Cuenca, Piolo Pascual at gusto ko rin makasama ang mga leading ladies tulad nina KC Concepcion, Angel Locsin."


ONGOING CASE. With regards to the sexual harassment case lodged against him by Patrizha Martinez, Baron merely said, "Nag-aantay pa po tayo...sa February 2, balikan ko kayo tungkol diyan."

Is he open to reconciling with former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Yayo Aguila and her daughter Patrizha? "Wika nga ni Juday [Judy Ann Santos], I forgive but I will never forget."


Jay, which will be distributed by Star Cinema, is scheduled to be screened in cinemas by February 2009.