Joem Bascon on loving Meryll Soriano through bipolar disorder

Joem Bascon opens up about supporting Meryll Soriano, family life with their son, and why presence matters more than advice.

With Meryll Soriano openly sharing that she has been living with bipolar disorder for 17 years, many have become curious about how her partner, Joem Bascon, supports her through it.

Meryll recalled that her journey began in 2007, when she became pregnant with her first child, Elijah. She went through a failed marriage with the child’s father, Bernard Palanca, while navigating her condition.

Now that they have a five-year-old son, Guido, she has expressed deep gratitude to Joem for understanding and accepting her, and for standing by her through her highs and lows.

Joem recently sat down for an interview with radar Entertainment after the sneak peek of “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence,” a six-part mini-series held at the Shangri-La Red Carpet Premiere Theater on May 7.

“Alam ko na ‘pag tataas na or bababa na. Sinasabi ko, ‘O, singkit ka na naman.’ ‘Yong mga mata n’on, medyo mabigat na,” Joem began.

“Minsan, sobrang saya naman niya. Sasabihin ko, ‘O, dahan-dahan, kasi ‘pag mataas, bumababa.’ Alam ko na kung kailan. ‘Yong itsura ni Meme, ang cute ‘pag nagbabago. Pero siyempre, ‘pag may mood na mabigat na, I give her time. I don’t offer advice—I offer just my presence. Wala ka kasing masasabi sa taong may pinagdadaanan; it’s more of presence mo lang.”

When asked about their relationship, Joem said they are happy and grounded in simple routines.

“Masaya kami ni Meme. Magmamadali na nga akong umuwi kasi mag-aalaga kami kay Guido, sa anak namin,” he said. “Happy ako na magkasama kami—five years na. Ngayon, may Virgin Labfest si Meme this coming June. Nagre-rehearse na kasi siya.”

No secrets, just let each other be

“Secrets? Kami, wala. Kulitan lang sa bahay. Hayaan lang ang gustong gawin ng bawat isa. Ako, mahilig magmotor; siya, mahilig magsulat at mag-drawing ngayon. Kay Guido, masaya kami na magkasama.”

The couple has discussed marriage, but there is still no fixed timeline.

“Alam mo, ito ang sinasagot ko palagi. Parang ‘di ko na sasabihin kung kailan—basta gagawin ko na lang na kaming dalawa, na private ang lahat,” he said. “Siya na. Wala na akong nakikitang iba. Wala na akong hinahanap. Masaya na ako sa buhay ko with Meryll.”

Joem is part of “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence,” produced by Rein Entertainment in collaboration with KC Global Media and directed by Shugo Praico. The series also stars Ian Veneracion, Jane Oineza, Harvey Bautista, Ryan Eigenmann, and Lotlot de Leon.

“Happy. Siyempre, noong ginagawa namin ito, wala pang clear vision ng kabuuan. Pero noong napanood ko ang first episode, sobrang ganda niya,” he said.

He added that the project aims to spark conversations rather than provide answers.

Anti-drug campaign

“Proud ako na lumabas sa isang ganitong klaseng proyekto na sana maging daan para magkaroon ng diskusyon. Kasi ‘di naman kami nagbibigay ng sagot—parang ipinapakita lang namin kung ano ang nangyari,” he said. “Pero hahayaan na natin ang viewers. Immersive siya—parang napupunta ka sa loob. Gusto kong maramdaman n’yo ‘yon. Doon magkaroon ng usapan: ‘Ano ba talaga ang nangyari? Ano ba ang pinagdaanan n’yo? Bakit n’yo ginawa ‘yon? Ano ba ang nangyari sa atin? Gaano tayo naapektuhan?’”

Joem admitted that during the war on drugs—the anti-drug campaign of the previous administration—he felt fear, especially as some of his friends disappeared.

“Natakot, siyempre. May mga kaibigan tayo na nawala. Bakit umabot sa ganun? ‘Di rin kasi buo ang script when I read it. So with this one, siguro kapag napanood ko ang six episodes, baka doon ako magkakaroon ng kasagutan. ‘Ano ba talaga ang nangyari? Ano ba ‘yong mga protocols? Bakit ganito ang naging desisyon ng lahat?’”

“Sana with this series, magkaroon ako ng kaunting kalinawan sa mga nangyari sa mga panahong ‘yon,” he added. “Noong mga panahong ‘yon, ang ginagawa na lang natin ay magtrabaho nang magtrabaho—‘wag lang tayong madamay. Siyempre, may mga kababayan tayo na ‘di na natin matatanong kung bakit, kasi wala na sila.”

 

 

Proud ako na lumabas sa isang ganitong klaseng proyekto na sana maging daan para magkaroon ng diskusyon. Kasi ‘di naman kami nagbibigay ng sagot—parang ipinapakita lang namin kung ano ang nangyari,” he said. “Pero hahayaan na natin ang viewers. Immersive siya—parang napupunta ka sa loob. Gusto kong maramdaman n’yo ‘yon.

Joem Bascon

 

 

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