Actor, student resolve issue after ‘assault’ video

MANILA, Philippines - A University of the Philippines student who uploaded a video showing actor Baron Geisler supposedly assaulting another student said they have resolved the issue and called on the public to stop sharing the clip.

“Baron and I spoke on the phone and resolved the issue between ourselves. When I uploaded the video, I thought that was my form of justice, perhaps different from other people,” visual communication student Khalil Versoza said in a post.

“I think Baron Geisler deserves enough. Out of respect to him, I took down the video,” he said. “I also want to ask everyone to stop sharing the video. We just want to put this issue behind us.”

The video was viewed over two million times before Versoza took it down. It showed an apparently irate Geisler, who cursed at the production team and at one point assaulted one of the students.

In his original post, Versoza narrated that the actor – who has been associated with various controversies in the past – got mad after they failed to give him the script on time.

While admitting that they had shortcomings in fulfilling their duties, he pointed out that Geisler had no right to pick on them the way they did.

The post immediately went viral, although some netizens pointed out that the whole clip appeared to be staged.

The STAR sought clarification from Versoza, who sent a statement similar to the one he posted on his Facebook account. It did not directly address claims that the whole incident was a social experiment.

“I want to make sure I pass this editorial design class. Theme: VAW RA 9262. Violence against women, to be specific. Catcalling,” he said. “I hired Baron knowing full well his court cases on women. Why? For him to apologize and speak to the minds of people who look up to him,” he said.

In a separate interview, Geisler appealed for understanding from the public.

“How I wish that this is a social experiment,” he was quoted as saying in various reports.