AJ Perez

Antonello Joseph "AJ" Sarte Perez (February 17, 1993 – April 17, 2011)[1] was a Filipino actor. He was a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic in Batch 13. He portrayed one of the lead characters in the 2009 miniseries Your Song Presents: Underage. In 2010, he played his first main role on primetime in the television series, Sabel. He died at the aged of 18, in a vehicular accident in Moncada, Tarlac on midnight of April 17, 2011.[1]

This article is about the actor. For the blogger, see AJ Perez (blogger).
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Sarte and the surname or paternal family name is Perez.
AJ Perez
Born
Antonello Joseph Sarte Perez

(1993-02-17)February 17, 1993
Manila, Philippines
DiedApril 17, 2011(2011-04-17) (aged 18)
Moncada, Tarlac, Philippines
Cause of deathVehicular accident
Resting placeManila Memorial Park
Sucat, Parañaque City
OccupationActor, Dancer, Model, Athlete
Years active2006–2011

Early life

Perez was born on February 17, 1993, to a Bicolana mother, Maria Victoria "Marivic" (née Sarte) and Bacolodnon father, Gerardo "Gerry" Perez. He had a younger brother named Angello Michael "Gello" (born May 16, 1998). He was a nephew of Albay politician Joey Salceda. He dated Steph Ayson, from March 20, 2011, until his death.[2] He attended high school at La Salle Greenhills in Greenhills, Mandaluyong City, and graduated on March 20, 2011.[3][4] He planned to take up Marketing at the De La Salle University because he wanted to help run the family business.[3]

Career

Perez was discovered by ABS-CBN in a TV commercial for Milo. He attended self-enhancement workshops with ABS-CBN Talent Center and was one of the new talents launched by Star Magic on its 13th Anniversary in 2006.[4]

The same year, Perez, along with the rest of Star Magic Batch 13, made a cameo appearance in the Komiks special episode Bampy. He then appeared in Star Magic Presents: All About A Girl along with Piolo Pascual and Lauren Young—his first team up with Young—they would then subsequently appear in several TV shows opposite each other.[5] He was later cast as Josh Smith, his first regular TV appearance, in the youth-oriented TV series Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv.[6] In December 2006, he made his film debut in the award-winning Star Cinema film Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, where he played the younger brother of Judy Ann Santos.[7]

In 2007, Perez's Josh Smith was promoted to a lead character in Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv and subsequently crossed over to Abt Ur Luv Ur Lyf 2, after the show was revamped.[8] In the latter part of the year, he reprised his role as Otap in Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo—the sequel of Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo.

In January 2008, Perez appeared in Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po!—the film, an entry to the 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival, was originally set for a December 2007 release date.[9] When Abt Ur Luv Lyf 2 ended its two-year run, Perez went to appear in two seasons of Star Magic Presents: Astigs—namely: Astigs in Haay...School Lyf and Astigs in Luvin Lyf. He was later cast as Bayani Mendoza in the supernatural drama Lobo. Perez made a guest appearance in the "Bato" episode of the romantic fantasy TV series Love Spell and in the Imposible episode of the musical anthology Your Song. He also joined ASAP '08 as one of the Dynamite Dance Crew and appeared in the film Magkaibigan and the direct-to-video film Kelly! Kelly! (Ang Hit na Musical).[10][11]

In 2008, Robi Domingo joined Perez and the remaining members of ASAP's Dynamite Dance Crew, Chris Gutierrez, Dino Imperial, Sam Concepcion, Arron Villaflor and Enchong Dee to form ASAP's Gigger Boys.[11] The group was later cast in the TV adaptation of the 1981 film Boystown -- Your Song Presents: Boystown.[12] Earlier, Perez appeared in another TV adaptation -- Your Song Presents: Underage—where he played Gary, opposite of Lauren Young.[13] He then went to appear in two Star Cinema films; BFF: Best Friends Forever and Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry Go Round.[11]

Perez appeared in the romantic comedy film Babe, I Love You[14] and, alongside Robi Domingo and Sam Concepcion, in the multi-narrative horror film Cinco in 2010.[15] His last film appearance was in the comedy film Mamarazzi.[16] He appeared as Jeffrey in the "Kakambal ko'y Manika" episode of Wansapanataym. In December 2010, Perez was cast in Sabel, where he played his first leading role in a teleserye with Jessy Mendiola and Joseph Marco.

His last TV appearance was in the "Tsinelas" episode of the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, which he finished filming before his death. He played Edgar, the older of the two orphaned boys who walked from Manila to Samar to search for their relatives.[17] The episode also starred Bugoy Cariño.[17][18] It aired posthumously on April 30, 2011[19] and earned Perez a posthumous nomination in the 2011 Golden Screen TV Awards for an Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Single Drama/Telemovie Program.[20]

Perez had earlier appeared as a guest judge in Showtime. Before the accident, Perez was in talks to appear in the Philippine remake of Maria la del Barrio[21] and was also set to play a lead role in Way Back Home, the film debut of Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes.[22][23]

Death

On April 17, 2011, Perez had just finished a show in Dagupan and was riding an ABS-CBN service van on his way home with his father Gerardo, and four others. The driver of the van tried to overtake a trailer truck but collided with a Partas provincial passenger bus along MacArthur Highway in Barangay San Julian, Moncada, Tarlac.[1] He was declared dead on arrival at the Rayos-Valentin Hospital in Paniqui, Tarlac[3] at 12:10 a.m.[1] Initial reports said that the cause of his death was "multiple head injuries".[24] The autopsy, however, revealed that his broken ribs pierced his heart and lungs thus causing his death.[25]

Perez's funeral was held at La Salle Green Hills chapel on April 17–18 before he was transferred in The Christ the King Parish along Greenmeadows Avenue in Quezon City on April 19–26, 2011.[2] President Benigno Aquino III paid his respects on the final night of Perez's wake.[26]

Perez was buried at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City on April 26, 2011. His favorite blanket, a pair of rubber shoes, and a watch he gave his younger brother were reportedly placed inside the casket.[27]

ABS-CBN filed a case of reckless imprudence on the driver of the van that carried Perez and four others. The driver was an employee of Southbend Express Services, Inc., a service contractor of ABS-CBN.[28]

Perez's family wanted to donate his corneas to blind singer Fatima Soriano after his mother saw her interview with Boy Abunda in The Bottomline. However, Soriano's doctor explained this was not possible because Soriano's problem was her retinas, and only corneas can be transplanted.[29] Perez's corneas were eventually donated to a 28-year-old man and an 8-year old-boy.[30]

In August 2011, the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines posthumously honored Perez as the foundation's poster boy. The event was attended by the Perez family and the recipients of the actor's corneas.[31]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes Source
2006 Komiks Presents: Bampy Boy Episode: "Bampy 1&2"
2006 Star Magic Presents: All About A Girl Egay [5]
2006–07 Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv Josh Smith [6][8]
2007–08 Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv, Ur Lyf 2 Josh Smith [8]
2008 Star Magic Presents: Astigs in Haay...School Lyf Tyler
2008 Star Magic Presents: Astigs in Luvin' Lyf Wave
2008 Kelly! Kelly! (Ang Hit na Musical) Wesley TV movie [10][11]
2008 Maalaala Mo Kaya Harold Episode: "Dalandan" [32]
2008 Lobo Bayani "Yani" Mendoza
2008 Love Spell Presents: Bato Rico Episode: "Bato"
2008 Iisa Pa Lamang Young Rafael Torralba
2008 Your Song Presents: Impossible Vince
2008–11 ASAP Himself / Host / Performer Segments: "Gigger Boys", "Dynamite Dance Crew" [10]
2009 Your Song Presents: Underage Gary [13]
2009 Your Song Presents: Boystown Ricky [12]
2009 Maynila Billy Episode: "Picture Perfect"
2009 Maynila Andy Episode: "Chances at Love"
2009 Midnight DJ Baste Episode: "Lingkis ng Taong Ahas"
2010 Wansapanataym Jeffrey Episode: "Kakambal Ko'y Manika"
2010–11 Sabel Candido "Dido" De Dios
2011 Showtime Himself / Guest Judge Special Guest Judge
2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya Edgar Episode: "Tsinelas" [17][18][19][33]

Film
Year Title Role Notes Source
2006 Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo Otap [7]
2007 Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo Otap
2007 Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! Daniel [9]
2008 Magkaibigan Joni
2009 BFF (Best Friends Forever) Miguel [11]
2009 Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry Go Round Ernie [11]
2010 Babe, I Love You Gian [14]
2010 Cinco Andrew Episode: "Braso" [15]
2010 Mamarazzi Dingdong [16]

Awards and nominations
Year Work Award Category Result Source
2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Tsinelas" Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Single Drama/Telemovie Program Nominated [20]
gollark: It's "obvious" like how Christianity is "obvious" to Christians.
gollark: That is not what "obvious" means.
gollark: About cars? Yes. I am ignorant about cars.
gollark: I don't care enough about cars to learn in extensive detail how they work.
gollark: * models, not modems, my typing error rate is way higher than usual today

References
  1. "Actor AJ Perez Killed in Tarlac Highway Accident". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  2. "AJ's Non-showbiz GF Shares Thoughts". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  3. Lo, Ricardo F. "AJ Perez: The Last Picture, the Last Interview". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  4. Marasigan, Jaser A. (20 April 2011). "Goodbye, AJ". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  5. "Gone before 30: Stars dying young". Multimedia/Gallery. Philippine Entertainment Portal. 18 April 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  6. Lim, Candice Anne (21 November 2011). "19 Star Magic Stars in 'Abt Ur Luv'". Guide/Television. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  7. Paredes, Andrew and Erwin Santiago (17 April 2011). "AJ Perez: ABS-CBN's Next Big Thing". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  8. Erece, Dinno (4 October 2007). "Young Stars Come and Go in ABS-CBN Teen Show "Abt Ur Luv"". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  9. Erece, Dinno (26 November 2007). "Maricel Soriano Okay with Change of Playdate of "Bahay Kubo"". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  10. Mendoza, Ruel J. (8 May 2011). "Ms. Gloria Romero also Affected by Death of AJ Perez, a Very Close Friend of her Grandson Chris Gutierrez". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  11. Reyes, William (27 April 2011). "AJ Perez's Passing is a Great Loss, Say Kapamilya Bosses and Director". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  12. "Gigger Boys Immerse Themselves in Boystown". Guide/Television. Philippine Entertainment Portal. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  13. Quintos, Napoleon (20 February 2009). "AJ Perez Plays a Gay Role in Your Song Presents: Underage". Celeb Highlight. ABS-CBN. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  14. Orosa, Rosalinda L. (29 March 2010). "Sam, Anne Team up in Babe, I Love You". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  15. Quintos, Napoleon (22 May 2010). "AJ Perez top-bills the new horror film 'Cinco'". Celeb Highlight. ABS-CBN. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  16. Luciano, Elvin (24 August 2010). "PEP REVIEW: Mamarazzi Packs Laughter that's More than Enough for Everyone". Guide/Movies. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  17. "AJ Perez's MMK episode to Air on April 30". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  18. Reyes, William R. (30 April 2011). "Child actor Bugoy Cariño Recalls How It was Working with AJ Perez in Maalaala Mo Kaya". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  19. Luciano, Elvin (27 April 2011). "AJ Perez Gave His Last and Greatest Performance as an Actor in Maalaala Mo Kaya". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  20. "Late actor AJ Perez Nominated in Golden Screen Awards for Television". Guide / Television. Philippine Entertainment Portal. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  21. Castro, Roldan (25 April 2011). "AJ Perez Remained a True and Loyal Friend Till the End". News. The Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  22. Quintos, Napoleon (21 April 2011). "ABS-CBN.com/Push.com.ph Takes a Look Back on AJ Perez's Movies". Features. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  23. MyChos (23 July 2011). "Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes Portray Sisters in Way Back Home". Guide / Movies. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  24. Ramirez, Patty (17 April 2011). "Young Actor AJ Perez Passes Away". ABS-CBN, Push.com. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  25. Sanchez, Rowena Joy (26 April 2011). "AJ Perez Laid to Rest Tuesday". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  26. "PNoy visits AJ's wake". ABS-CBN News. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  27. "Young actor AJ Perez laid to rest". ABS-CBN News. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  28. "ABS-CBN to Sue Van Driver in AJ's death". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  29. "AJ's Eyes Can't Go to Fatima, Says Doctor". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  30. "Recipients of AJ's Corneas Grateful". ABS-CBN News. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  31. "AJ Perez is Eye Bank's New Poster Boy". Entertainment. ABS-CBN Corporation News. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  32. "Dalandan". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  33. "Tsinelas". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
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