Baron Geisler on how his daughter inspired his most personal role yet

For Baron Geisler, portraying a high-functioning person on the autism spectrum in Netflix’s “Delivery Rider” was more than an acting challenge—it was a tribute. The actor opens up about how his daughter Talitha helped shape his performance and why he believes in the strength of every child on the spectrum.

Actor Baron Geisler, who is currently promoting his Netflix action film “Delivery Rider,” said he doesn’t mind getting personal if that’s what it takes to make sure the project reaches as many viewers as possible.

In the film, Baron plays Santo, a high-functioning person with autism—something he finds deeply personal, as his daughter Talitha is also on the spectrum.

In this conversation with radar Entertainment, Baron opens up about how observing Talitha helped him bring Santo to life, what keeps him grounded as a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, and how he found a mentor and father figure in “Delivery Rider” director Lester Pimentel Ong.

Here are excerpts from our interview.

You made this film knowing you’d be asked about your daughter’s condition. Did you have to prepare yourself for that?
It’s part of it. I’ve been a mental health advocate since 2018. I take it a day at a time. I think dapat may boses tayong mga parents para magkaroon ng hope for our kids. Minsan nakakapagod, but with the right education, knowledge, and even food, alam kong magiging okay ang lahat.

When I first read the script, I worried some parents might get offended. But I made sure to play Santo sincerely—with the authenticity I could bring. I’m not a perfect person or artist, but I hope people appreciate my take on a high-functioning delivery driver.

What was your initial reaction when you got the role?
Honestly, I was nervous. The theme isn’t easy. But when I kept rereading the script, I realized it’s a story that gives hope to parents like me who have children with disabilities. Before filming, I watched many videos of people with different disabilities. I also studied my daughter. She’s my peg—she’s a happy kid.

I also watched “Love on the Spectrum” and worked with Direk Lester for fine-tuning. I’m thankful because they gave me close to a year of training—judo, MMA, taekwondo, and boxing three to four times a week. A month before the shoot, it became daily. I’m hoping people enjoy it and that no one feels offended, especially families with loved ones on the spectrum.

When did you finally find Santo’s rhythm and voice?
It took months of understanding the script, the character, and the kids who are on the spectrum. Eventually, I got the movements and mindset. During training, Direk would suddenly say, “Do the fight scene as Santo.” That helped me internalize him more naturally.

People on the spectrum are strong. My daughter is five, but I feel mas malakas siya sa akin. I used that energy for Santo—simple, grounded movements but with power behind them.

People say parents of children on the spectrum carry extra stress. What keeps you going?
I’m grateful to the OTs, therapists, and teachers who are so patient. They send videos every day of my daughter’s progress. She studies daily except weekends. Speech na lang ang kulang—she already knows colors and how to put things together. Ang sarap ng feeling to see that.

I used to think she’d always need a caretaker, but now I see hope she’ll become self-sufficient. What people on the spectrum need—what we all need—is love and acceptance. Iba ang energy nila, and it’s beautiful.

Direk Lester said “Delivery Rider” is part of his goal to elevate Philippine action films to global standards. What’s your take on that?
The goal is slowly being achieved. We even won Best Drama Series in Korea, and Daniel won Best Actor. What Direk Lester and Studio Three Sixty are doing is raising the bar for action—no more “pwede na yan.” He’s a genius.

He’s also my mentor and father figure. During our “Incognito” shoot, he’d check in on me. He’d remind me to stay focused, think positive, and remove the victim mentality. He genuinely cares. He fought for me to be part of “Incognito”—this was after he gave me this lead role in “Delivery Rider.”

Direk even spent his own money to hone my mixed martial arts training, which I now use in other projects. I’m deeply grateful. I’ll always support his mission to create world-class Filipino action films that can stand alongside our Asian neighbors.

“Delivery Rider” is an action-drama film set to stream on Netflix starting Oct. 23. 

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