Flonique Guimary

Remembering AJ Perez and the roles he played

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>On April 17, 2011, Kapamilya actor AJ Perez tragically passed away in a vehicular accident. At the time, AJ was on his way back to Manila from a show in Pangasinan when the incident happened, leaving the industry in shock.</p><div> </div><p>Despite being gone for many years now, AJ’s legacy lives through the roles he portrayed on television and in films, as well as the heartfelt stories shared by his loved ones. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776404139860OTD_13-AJPerez.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Five years after his death in 2016, his family released a tribute book titled <em>A Smile of Hope: The Legacy of AJ Perez</em>, written by his mother Ma. Victoria Sarte Perez, alongside author Zenaida Roy-Almario under ABS-CBN Publishing.</p><div> </div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776403662799664897364_2388549161592176_7541857175424953290_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo credit: Cherry Pineda </span></span></span></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Marking the 15th year since his passing, here are some of AJ’s memorable roles that continue to resonate with viewers:</p><div> </div><div><strong>Otap in <em>Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo</em> and <em>Sakal, Sakali, Saklol</em></strong><em><strong>o</strong></em></div><p>AJ made his film debut as Otap, the younger brother of Judy Ann Santos’s character in the hit movie franchise also starring Ryan Agoncillo. His natural screen presence quickly made him a recognizable face among young Kapamilya stars.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776403709218Screenshot 2026-04-17 132032.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Daniel in <em>Bahay Kubo</em></strong></div><p>AJ played the role of Daniel in Maricel Soriano and Eugene Domingo’s film <em>Bahay Kubo</em>. In this movie, AJ was the best friend of the character Cholo played by Rayver Cruz, who would always tease Shaina Magdayao&#x27;s character. The film was an entry to the 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776403733737Screenshot 2026-04-17 132202.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Miguel in <em>BFF: Best Friends Forever</em></strong></div><p>AJ took on the role of a campus heartthrob in this Star Cinema anniversary film led by Sharon Cuneta and Ai-Ai delas Alas. His character caught the attention of a young girl played by Miles Ocampo.</p><div> </div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F461214500324936%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Drew in <em>Cinco</em></strong></div><p>Venturing into horror, AJ appeared in the 2010 Filipino horror anthology film along with his fellow ASAP&#x27;s Dynamite Dance Crew and Gigger Boys members Robi Domingo and Sam Concepcion. In their segment “Braso,” the three neophytes are brought to a morgue while dressed in lingerie for the final part of their initiation to join a fraternity.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776403771799Screenshot 2026-04-17 132343.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Dingdong in<em> Mamarazzi</em></strong></div><p>In what would become his final film appearance, AJ played Dingdong, a young man hopelessly in love with Mimi, portrayed by Carla Abellana in the comedy film <em>Mamarazzi</em>. The film was headlined by Eugene Domingo, alongside John Lapus, Diether Ocampo, and Andi Eigenmann.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="628" height="471" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WMjNMdUv7yo" title="MAMARAZZI FULL TRAILER" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Dido in <em>Sabel</em></strong></div><p>AJ took on his first leading role in this ABS-CBN teleserye opposite Jessy Mendiola and Joseph Marco. As Dido, he portrayed a kind-hearted and devoted son to Margaret (played by Rita Avila) who initially planned to be a priest but later fell in love with Sabel (Jessy).</p><div><strong> </strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776403799676Screenshot 2026-04-17 132552.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Edgar in <em>Tsinelas (Maalaala Mo Kaya)</em></strong></div><p>AJ’s final television appearance was in a popular episode of the drama anthology <em>Maalaala Mo Kaya</em>. The episode, titled <em>Tsinelas, </em>had<em></em> the young actor playing Edgar, the older of the two orphaned boys who walked from Manila to Samar in search of their relatives. The episode also starred Bugoy Cariño (as Dagul).</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qPNzLkHzbIo" title="Tsinelas | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Full Episode" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>The episode aired posthumously on April 30, almost two weeks since his untimely death. The episode earned him a nomination at the Golden Screen TV Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Single Drama/Telemovie Program.</p><div> </div><p>Despite his short life, the memory of AJ still lives in the characters that he portrayed. Even fifteen years later, his performances continue to live in the hearts of those who grew up watching him and those who miss him dearly. </p><div> </div>

ON THIS DAY: Remembering AJ Perez and the roles he played

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ON THIS DAY: Remembering AJ Perez and the roles he played

Nikka Sabio,

Push Team

Published April 17, 2026 01:37 PM PHT

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Updated April 22, 2026 09:06 AM PHT

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