MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Eighteen-year-old actor and model AJ Perez was killed in a highway accident in Tarlac early Sunday morning, according to a report by radio dzMM.
Police said Perez was with his father and 4 others aboard an ABS-CBN van that collided with a Partas provincial passenger bus along McArthur Highway in Barangay San Julian, Tarlac.Police Officer 2 Michael Millante of the Moncada Police told dzMM that Perez was declared dead on arrival by a hospital in Paniqui shortly after the accident took place at 12:10 a.m.
Perez’s 5 other companions were reportedly also injured during the crash and were taken to the hospital for treatment. They are Gerardo Perez (father), driver Christopher Bautista, Christina Ferrer, Edwin Patelos and Danny Linunga.
The group had just come from a show in Dagupan and were reportedly on their way back to Manila.
Millante said the van carrying the victims tried to overtake a trailer truck when it collided with the incoming Partas bus.
"Nung makarating sa may Barangay San Julian, allegedly itong van ng ABS-CBN, um-overtake ng isang trailer. 'Yung pagka-overtake n'ya po, in the process, nag-alangan po siya. Tinamaan po niya itong Partas na nagresulta sa pagkapinsala nung laman ng van," he said.
Earlier, showbiz reporter and columnist Ogie Diaz reported the incident through his Twitter account.
"Galing ng Dagupan, pauwi na. Tulog lahat sa van. Sa Tarlac, biglang bumangga sa trak. Bago pa nadala si AJ Perez sa ospital, wala nang buhay," Diaz tweeted.
Diaz said he has talked to the father of the Star Magic actor.
"Nasa isang clinic sa Paniqui, Tarlac ang mga labi ni AJ Perez. Kausap ko si Daddy kanina, iyak nang iyak. Ndi ako makakatulog nito," added Diaz.
Shortly before the accident, Perez was still able to post a Twitter message thanking his fans who attended his show in Dagupan.
"On the way home already from Dagupan.Long drive ahead.. Thanks to everybody who watched, thanks to zui for the gifts.And hi again to jarred!" said Perez.
Perez, or Antonello Joseph Sarte Perez in real life, appeared in various commercials of companies and brands, Colgate, Pepsi, Sun Cellular, Ayala Land, and Globe Telecom. He popularized the phrase "ye-bah!" in the UFC Banana Ketchup ad.
ABS-CBN first spotted him in Milo commercial, where the 5'8"-tall La Salle Greenhils student showed off his basketball skills. He then underwent workshops and eventually became a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents collectively known as Star Magic.
He was part of the cast of various movies, including "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo" and its sequel, "Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo", BFF: Best Friends Forever, Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry Go Round," among others.
On TV, he was part of the teen-oriented program "Abt Ur Luv", and various television series, including "Lobo" and "Agua Bendita".
He played the main cast role in the recently concluded primetime drama, "Sabel".
On Sundays, he joined other ABS-CBN artists on the popular A.S.A.P. variety show.
Perez was born on February 17, 1993 to a Bicolana mother and Ilonggo father.
Courtesy: ABS-CBNnews.com
Picture Courtesy: AJ Perez Official Twitter Account
