Director Jason Paul Laxamana was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

This was revealed by the filmmaker in an Instagram post on Sunday, August 6, 2023.

JP (Jason Paul’s nickname) is the writer and director of the movies 100 Tula Para Kay Stella and The Day After Valentine’s, both top-billed by Bella Padilla and JC Santos.

He was also at the helm of Between Maybes starring Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson; Just A Stranger featuring Anne Curtis and Marco Gumabao; and Expensive Candy led by Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino, among others.

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His latest movie, The Ship Show, starring Heaven Peralejo and Marco Gallo, will hit cinemas starting on August 9, 2023.

Asperger’s syndrome is a high-functioning, mild form of autism; and those who have it are said to struggle with communicating and interacting socially, incapable of maintaining eye contact, and display repetitive behaviors.

However, people with the condition are also said to have a strong focus and keen attention to detail.

Some even possess a strong IQ, are independent learners, and are good at thinking of visual images.

Known personalities who came out stating that they have Asperger’s include actor Anthony Hopkins, animal behaviorist Temple Grandin, singer Susan Boyle, pop artist Andy Warhol, and chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer, to name only a few.

FEELING OF RELIEF

In his caption, JP shared that he learned about his diagnosis on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

For JP, the diagnosis was a confirmation of what he suspected long ago but was unsure of the exact nature of his mental and emotional issues.

He wrote, “I cried after my session with the psychiatrist, not because I am sad, but because I am relieved to finally know how I’m built as a human being.”

Continued JP, “[I’m] relieved to finally understand my experiences in life for the past decades, especially those times I suffered mentally and felt like an odd entity in society.

“Now I can finally take care of my special needs, assert and demand them as much as possible, and avoid situations that do not serve my best interest.”

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT

JP’s friends immediately voice out their support, leaving words of encouragement in the comments section of his post.

Kapamilya star Janella Salvador posted a simple but meaningful heart emoji.

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Former Viva Hotbabe Andrea del Rosario, wrote, “You are such an inspiration! You are beautiful and wonderfully made.”

Recording artist Frances Rosales said she could relate to JP’s situation as she was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and that “awareness is the key.”

She shared, “For years, I did not know my attention span is so short and did not understand how it was affecting my daily activities.

“But the moment I knew, I was relieved more than sad to have it because now I know how to adjust and work with it. I’m glad that you shared something like this Direk! You are loved.”

Many celebrities also “liked” JP’s post, including Coleen Garcia, Heaven Peralejo, and Aiko Melendez.