Promising young actor perishes in car crash

CEBU, Philippines -  After a gruesome crime committed on a veteran actress just recently, another tragic news hit showbiz with the death of teen actor AJ Perez in a vehicular accident a little after midnight yesterday. He was 18.

The Star Magic contract artist, who got his breakthrough role on the ABS-CBN drama "Sabel" opposite Jessy Mendiola, sustained multiple head injuries when the van he was in collided with a bus while traversing McArthur Highway in Tarlac province, says a Yahoo! Omg! Philippines report. He was with his father, Gerardo, two road managers, a driver and an event marshal in the van. While all his companions survived the mishap, AJ was declared dead on arrival 12:20 a.m. at the Rayos Valentin hospital in Paniqui, Tarlac.

AJ had just attended the Kapamilya Karavan show in Dagupan City to celebrate the annual Bangus Festival, and he was rushing back to Manila to prepare for an appearance on the Sunday show "ASAP Rocks."

He was one of his network’s sure bets for stardom, according to a “Next Big Things” spread on the current issue of YES! magazine. Launched as part of the Star Magic Batch 13 in 2006, he did guest stints in weekly drama shows like “Star Magic Presents Abt Ur Luv” and “Your Song Presents Underage,” and showcased his dancing chops as part of the Gigger Boys in ASAP.

AJ will have his last appearance in an episode of "Maalaala Mo Kaya" this April 30. (FREEMAN)