AJ Perez

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
OccupationActor
Years active2006–2011

Antonello Joseph Sarte Perez (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈpɛrɛs]; 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.

Perez died at aged 18 in a car accident in Moncada, Tarlac, on midnight of April 17, 2011.[1]

Early life

Antonello Joseph Sarte 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[2] Albay politician Cong. Elfren Sarte. He attended high school at La Salle Greenhills in Greenhills, Mandaluyong, 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 and he played a former college basketball team of De La Salle University.[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 December 2007, Perez appeared in Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po!, an entry to the 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival.[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 María 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 and funeral

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] An autopsy concluded that Perez died after his broken ribs pierced his heart and lungs.[25][26]

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.[27] President Benigno Aquino III paid his respects on the final night of Perez's wake.[28]

Perez was buried at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque 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.[29]

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.[30]

Perez's family wanted to donate his corneas to blind singer Fatima Soriano after his mother saw her interview with Boy Abunda on The Bottomline with Boy Abunda. However, Soriano's doctor explained this was not possible because Soriano's problem was her retinas, and only corneas can be transplanted.[31] Perez's corneas were eventually donated to a 28-year-old man and an 8-year old-boy.[32]

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.[33]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes Source
2006 Komiks Presents: Bampy Boyet Olayta 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]
2007–11 ASAP Himself / Host / Performer Segments: "Gigger Boys", "Dynamite Dance Crew" [10]
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" [34]
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
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"

Last TV appearance

[17][18][19][35]

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 Last film appearance [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]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Actor AJ Perez Killed in Tarlac Highway Accident". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  2. ^ "'We are graduating together ': AJ Perez's brother Angello dedicates second college degree to late actor". www.philstar.com. August 30, 2022. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Lo, Ricardo F. "AJ Perez: The Last Picture, the Last Interview". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Marasigan, Jaser A. (April 20, 2011). "Goodbye, AJ". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Gone before 30: Stars dying young". Multimedia/Gallery. Philippine Entertainment Portal. April 18, 2011. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Lim, Candice Anne (November 21, 2011). "19 Star Magic Stars in 'Abt Ur Luv'". Guide/Television. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Paredes, Andrew and Erwin Santiago (April 17, 2011). "AJ Perez: ABS-CBN's Next Big Thing". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on April 20, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c Erece, Dinno (October 4, 2007). "Young Stars Come and Go in ABS-CBN Teen Show "Abt Ur Luv"". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on January 29, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Erece, Dinno (November 26, 2007). "Maricel Soriano Okay with Change of Playdate of "Bahay Kubo"". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c Mendoza, Ruel J. (May 8, 2011). "Ms. Gloria Romero also Affected by Death of AJ Perez, a Very Close Friend of her Grandson Chris Gutierrez". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on May 10, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Reyes, William (April 27, 2011). "AJ Perez's Passing is a Great Loss, Say Kapamilya Bosses and Director". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  12. ^ a b "Gigger Boys Immerse Themselves in Boystown". Guide/Television. Philippine Entertainment Portal. April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  13. ^ a b Quintos, Napoleon (February 20, 2009). "AJ Perez Plays a Gay Role in Your Song Presents: Underage". Celeb Highlight. ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on April 19, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Orosa, Rosalinda L. (March 29, 2010). "Sam, Anne Team up in Babe, I Love You". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Quintos, Napoleon (May 22, 2010). "AJ Perez top-bills the new horror film 'Cinco'". Celeb Highlight. ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on August 11, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  16. ^ a b Luciano, Elvin (August 24, 2010). "PEP REVIEW: Mamarazzi Packs Laughter that's More than Enough for Everyone". Guide/Movies. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  17. ^ a b c "AJ Perez's MMK episode to Air on April 30". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  18. ^ a b Reyes, William R. (April 30, 2011). "Child actor Bugoy Cariño Recalls How It was Working with AJ Perez in Maalaala Mo Kaya". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  19. ^ a b Luciano, Elvin (April 27, 2011). "AJ Perez Gave His Last and Greatest Performance as an Actor in Maalaala Mo Kaya". News. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  20. ^ a b "Late actor AJ Perez Nominated in Golden Screen Awards for Television". Guide / Television. Philippine Entertainment Portal. November 2, 2011. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  21. ^ Castro, Roldan (April 25, 2011). "AJ Perez Remained a True and Loyal Friend Till the End". News. The Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  22. ^ Quintos, Napoleon (April 21, 2011). "ABS-CBN.com/Push.com.ph Takes a Look Back on AJ Perez's Movies". Features. ABS-CBN Corporation. Archived from the original on April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  23. ^ MyChos (July 23, 2011). "Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes Portray Sisters in Way Back Home". Guide / Movies. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  24. ^ Ramirez, Patty (April 17, 2011). "Young Actor AJ Perez Passes Away". ABS-CBN, Push.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  25. ^ Sanchez, Rowena Joy (April 26, 2011). "AJ Perez Laid to Rest Tuesday". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  26. ^ Acar, Aedrianne; Eusebio, Aaron Brennt; Anoc, Aimee (August 3, 2019). "Young personalities gone too soon". GMA Network. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  27. ^ "AJ's Non-showbiz GF Shares Thoughts". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  28. ^ "PNoy visits AJ's wake". ABS-CBN News. April 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  29. ^ "Young actor AJ Perez laid to rest". ABS-CBN News. April 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  30. ^ "ABS-CBN to Sue Van Driver in AJ's death". ABS-CBN Corporation News. April 19, 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  31. ^ "AJ's Eyes Can't Go to Fatima, Says Doctor". ABS-CBN Corporation News. April 20, 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
  32. ^ "Recipients of AJ's Corneas Grateful". ABS-CBN News. April 21, 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  33. ^ "AJ Perez is Eye Bank's New Poster Boy". Entertainment. ABS-CBN Corporation News. August 25, 2011. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  34. ^ "Dalandan". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  35. ^ "Tsinelas". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.