Actor AJ Perez dies at 18

MANILA (Updated 11:45 a.m.) -- Kapamilya actor AJ Perez was declared dead after a vehicular accident in Tarlac early Sunday morning.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Agrimero Cruz Jr. said in a text message Sunday that Perez was traveling along McArthur Highway in San Julian, Tarlac when the accident happened.

Initial investigation showed that Perez was aboard a Nissan Urvan registered to ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation and driven by Christopher Bautista when the vehicle collided with a Partas Provincial Bus with plate number UVA-880.

The actor and four others, identified as Cristina Ferrer, Edwin Pitilos, Danylyn Dunga and his father Gerardo Perez, were rushed to Rayos-Valentine Hospital, where the 18-year-old Perez was declared dead on arrival.

Perez was in Dagupan on Saturday for the Kapamilya Karavan for the Bangus Festival. He was joined by Star Magic artists Matt Evans and Zaijian Jaranilla.

In an official statement released by ABS-CBN through its Corporate Communications head Bong Osorio, the network is saddened with the latest incident involving its talent.

"ABS-CBN sympathizes with AJ's family on his untimely demise, and urges everyone to pray for the eternal repose of AJ's soul and for the family and loved ones he left behind... ABS-CBN continues to help AJ's family during this difficult and discomforting time and to attend to the needs of the others that got hurt in the unfortunate accident," the network said.

Hours before the accident, Perez was able to update his followers on Twitter that he's on his way to Manila after a successful show in Dagupan.

He tweeted: "@ajperez17: On the way home already from Dagupan. Long drive ahead... Thanks to everybody who watched."

Entertainment host Ogie Diaz was also shocked and saddened with Perez's death. He said he was able to talk to the actor's mom and updated everyone through Twitter.

"@ogiediaz: Aj's mom told me, 'Napanood ko pa kagabi yung teaser ng MMK ni Aj, ndi ko alam kumba't ako bigla na lang naiyak, kaya tinawagan ko si Dadi," he said on Twitter.

He added: "Tinanong ko si dadi, bat ang tagal nilang umuwi? Pauwi na raw sila from Dagupan, pero nag-aalala pa rn ako, d ko alam kumbakit balisa ako... Sabi ng mami ni Aj, 'Nag-Boracay pa si AJ nung first week ng April. Nag-alala na ko non dahil sila lang mga friends nya ang magkakasama.'"

Ogie said the actor's mobile number called him twice Sunday morning, and he knew that it's not the young actor who's on the other line but his father, Daddy Gerry.

Eric John Salut, PR from the Kapamilya Network, also posted on Twitter that Perez's family decided to donate the actor's cornea to blind singer and Marian devotee Fatima Soriano.

As of Sunday noon, a message was posted on the actor's Twitter account saying Perez's body will be brought to La Salle Greenhills this afternoon. His remains will stay there until Tuesday, April 19. (Sunnex)