Gigger Boys with AJ Perez, a look back | Gigger Boys Photos

Gigger Boys with AJ Perez, a look back | Gigger Boys Photos

Gigger Boys members: (Top: L-R) Enchong Dee, AJ Perez, Robi Domingo, Arron Villaflor, (Bottom: L-R) Chris Gutierrez, Dino Imperial, and Sam Concepcion

When AJ Perez was still living, he was a member of an all-male Star Magic dance group called "Gigger Boys". The group is also composed of equally good-looking and talented Kapamilya young actors: Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Sam Concepcion, Arron Villaflor, Enrique Gil, and Benjamin De Guzman (newest member), Dino Imperial, and Chris Gutierrez.

Gigger Boys was formed in 2009 and they have bonded so much since then. No wonder why it was hard for them when they heard of AJ Perez passing away.

On the April 17 episode of "The Buzz", Sam Concepcion, Robi Domingo, Arron Villaflor and Enrique Gil didn't help but to get emotional.

First up was the teary-eyed Robi who was asked by host Boy Abunda why he was crying.

"Sayang, e... sayang, e. You may say that the person has unlimited potential. Iba si AJ, hindi lang unlimited potential," the former Pinoy Big Brother Teen housemate replied.

When asked of his memories of AJ, he said, "Kasi, whenever wala si Tito Gerry [AJ's father] para sunduin siya, ako personally ang naghahatid sa kanya sa bahay. And sa time namin na yun, napag-uusapan namin lovelife niya, lovelife ko, lahat—anything under the sun. Ikinukuwento ko na sa kanya lahat."

"Si AJ kasi, hindi lang siya celebrity, hindi lang siya dancer, hindi lang siya Gigger Boys, hindi lang siya Kapamilya sa amin, he was one of our brothers. Kaya sobrang sakit," he added.

Robi was then asked for his message to AJ.

"AJ, alam namin na nasa mabuting lugar ka. You're with God now. Always take care of yourself, bro. We'll always pray for you."

It was then Arron's turn who said that AJ's death was painful for him. These were the things he said.

"Masakit, kasi malalapit na kaibigan kami. Kung paano nabuo ang grupo namin. Alam n'yo yun, napaka-solid namin. We work as one."

"Parang ang sakit lang. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin namin tanggap."

"Ewan ko, magulo pa rin ang isipan ko ngayon. Parang napakaimposible. Siyempre, masakit para sa aming lahat. Lalo na sa mga nakakakilala sa kanya, di ba?"

"Kaya noong narinig namin ang balita, parang nagtawagan kami, 2 a.m."

"'Bro, alam mo na ang balita kay AJ? Bro, wala na si AJ.' Akala ko, nagloloko lang sila. 'Bro, saan naman galing ang balitang 'yan?' sabi ko. 'Bro, it was confirmed. Patay na si AJ," Arron said.

Sam Concepcion was next and he shared that it was hard for him to accept right away.

"Actually, noong malaman ko yun, parang hindi mo pa kayang i-accept agad, e. Parang you're in shock, you're in denial."

"Until right now, ang nararamdaman ko, parang ganoon pa rin. It was surreal.

"When I found out about it, I was trembling. My heart was pounding. Ganoon pa rin po ang feeling ko hanggang ngayon."

"And the way I remember AJ, he was just a happy soul. Masayahin lang po siya, kung bakit kami nagtatawanan. Most of the laughs we shared is because of AJ," said Sam.

Enrique Gil also can't believe of the tragic incident that happened to their friend. He said,

"I can't believe na wala na si AJ."

"Nalaman ko na wala na siya noong tumawag sa akin si JM de Guzman sa taping. Sabi niya, 'Bro, totoo ba ang balita?' Sabi ko, 'Ano?' 'Huwag kang mabibigla, ha. Si AJ raw, wala na.' 'Pre, hindi totoo 'yan. Teka lang, tawagan ko si AJ."

"May sumagot, parang si AJ. Sabi ko, 'Bro, anong nangyari sa 'yo?' Si Tito Gerry pala yun, yung tatay niya ang sumagot. 'Ken,' tawag niya sa akin Ken. 'Ken, I can't talk right now.' Sabi niya, 'AJ is gone.'

"Mabilis daw ang takbo nila, tinamaan daw sila ng truck. Sabi ko, 'Tito, I can't believe it. I'm so sorry.' Sabi niya, 'Just tell your friends na lang. I'm sure they want to know.'"

After the interview, Sam Concepcion did a heartfelt rendition of Michael Jackson's "Gone Too Soon" which he sang beautifully.

The boys also took park during the interment mass of AJ and Sam sang the song once again.

Let's look back on these memories of AJ Perez with the Gigger Boys which were captured on cam:












Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN, PEX, PEP, and Gigger Boys Facebook Fan Page

Lauren Young, AJ Perez loveteam; a look back | Lauren Young - AJ Perez Photos

Lauren Young, AJ Perez loveteam, a look back | Lauren Young - AJ Perez Photos

When deceased young actor AJ Perez got his first acting job in "Star Magic Presents: All About A Girl" in 2006, he was immediately paired with actress Lauren Young. They worked in a series of TV projects together as a loveteam after that, which spanned for around 3 years.

AJ Perez and Lauren Young | Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN

“Sobrang maganda siya. “Sabay po kaming ini-launch ni Lauren sa Star Magic Batch 13. We really didn’t talk that much before kasi nagsisimula pa lang kami although we are friends but after two years, she’s my best friend in the show. Sa mga babae, siya ang pinaka-close sa akin.” AJ said in an interview a few years back.

“She’s very simple. Unlike other girls, simple lang siya manamit. Plus we have the same interests. We like the same music. We both like the foreign band Fall Out Boy. ‘Yung gusto kong jacket, gusto rin niya even if panlalaki. We have many things in common,” AJ added.

Having all those good memories with the late actor, there's no wonder why Lauren was among those who got devastated when the news about AJ Perez untimely and tragic demise broke. On her Twitter account, Lauren shared that AJ was more than a loveteam to her. He was also her friend and brother, as well.

"I'm going to miss you so much. My loveteam, my friend, my brother. All I know is you're in a better place now and I won't question that," Lauren tweeted.

"Aj. You were like a brother to me. You'll always be in my heart. May you rest in peace," the actress added.

Let's look back on AJ Perez and Lauren Young loveteam through these pictures:




















Lauren Young - AJ Perez Photos courtesy of ajrenlovers, ajren's facebook and multiply, laurenyoung fansite wordpress, abs-cbn

Rico Yan and AJ Perez' shocking similarities

Some people had always noticed the resemblance of AJ Perez's features to that of Rico Yan's. Someone even took a photo of AJ Perez while posing beside the framed picture of Rico displayed in the halls of the ABS-CBN building. Check it out below:

AJ Perez posing beside Rico Yan's picture | Photo courtesy of Ogie Diaz

Acting-wise, it seemed like Star Magic head Johnny Manahan found AJ to follow Rico's footsteps. He reportedly said, “Given the chance, he can be another Rico Yan.”

However, nobody ever expected that AJ would have the same fate as Rico - to die at an early age in the peak of his career in showbiz. Also, people can't help to talk about these similarities:

*They were both ABS-CBN homegrown talents.
*They were among the few in showbiz to be known for their "baby face".
*They were both La Sallitas.
*They were young when they died.
*They both died in a Holy Week.
*They were both asleep when they died.
*Their wakes were both held at La Salle Greenhills.
*As Rico, AJ will also be laid to rest at Manila Memorial Park.

Rico Yan died of Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis on March 29, 2002 in Palawan. He was 27.

Meanwhile, AJ Perez passed away at age 18 yesterday, April 17, 2011 in a vehicular accident.

*Sorry for the typo error earlier.