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Four months after his death, AJ Perez's legacy continues to live on.

This is after the Philippine Eye Bank Foundation formally announced last week that the late Kapamilya actor is the new poster boy of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines.

It will be recalled that AJ’s parents, Gerry and Marivic donated their son’s eyes to the Eye Bank. His parents wanted to donate AJ's eyes to blind singer Fatima Soriano, who has a problem with her retinas. But since only corneas can be transplanted, John Daniel Delos Santos and Lawrence Villanueva received AJ's eyes instead.

Past celebrity eye donors include Miko Sotto, Christian Angelo Manhilot (Cesar Montano’s son), James Lim (Toni Rose Gayda’s son) and Jay Ilagan.
According to Gerry, one of the people who convinced them to donate AJ's eyes and to make him an ambassador for the foundation is host Ali Sotto, Miko’s mother.

“During the wake kasi, the support and sympathy just poured in. Ali asked if AJ could be a poster boy of this (Eye Bank) because kailangang kailangan din ng foundation ito,” he narrated. “So we just talked about it and then wala na.” 

Marivic admitted it was “not really easy to decide right then and there,” but added: “I would say na alam ko naman na even if I don't ask AJ, he'd be willing to help. Matulungin din sya so I don't think it'd be hard for him to do something for a good cause. I don't have to ask him anymore kasi alam ko naman na yun ang gusto nya.”

She further said: “I think, para sa akin, nakakatulong ka rin, tapos yung legacy ni AJ will live on. Andun pa rin yung pagtulong nya sa tao. And I'm sure naman if AJ's still here, ganun dun. He's a very kindhearted person so it's not really hard for him to do such things na makakatulong sa tao.”

Marivic also said they are planning to start a foundation that will focus on education under AJ's name. This is still a work in progress, she said, although they already talked to people from La Salle Greenhills (AJ's alma mater) regarding a possible scholarship program.

“We'll start from there,” Marivic said.

“Time of My Life's” Steven Silva, who met AJ during a cover photo shoot with “Garage” magazine, said he can help by promoting the foundation. 

“I didn't know a lot of people were affected by this, so I think what they're doing is very difficult. So ang kailangan nila, they need support, donations. So there I can help with promoting the awareness and with donations,” the Kapuso star said. 

Meanwhile, AJ's leading lady of three years, Lauren Young, finds it admirable how even in death, one can give back through eye donation.

“Even though he met such a tragedy, AJ was still able to give back,” she said. “Hearing all their (eye recipients') stories, it's so inspiring how you can help even though you've passed away already. You're giving life to other people.”




By Chuck Smith | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom




SOURCE: 

YAHOO OMG PHILIPPINES

http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/parents-say-aj-perez-s-legacy-will-live-on-through-eye-bank-.html


 
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Tinawagan ako noong isang gabi ni Gerry Perez, tatay ng yumaong ABS-CBN young actor na si AJ Perez.

Gustong makausap ni Daddy Gerry si German Moreno.

Isang kaibigan kasi ni Daddy Gerry ang nagsabi sa kanya na sinabi ni Kuya Germs sa DZBB radio show nito na isasama niya ang pangalan ni AJ sa Walk of Fame sa Eastwood ngayong Disyembre 1.

“Gusto ko lang ma-confirm kung totoo ‘yung sinabi sa akin ng isang kaibigan ko,” sabi ni Daddy Gerry.
Tinawagan ko si Kuya Germs at nag-conference call kami ni Daddy Gerry.

Kinumpirma ni Kuya Germs kay Daddy Gerry ang tungkol sa balitang ‘yon.
Nagpahayag si Kuya Germs kay Daddy Gerry na nabasa niya ang tungkol sa pagdo-donate ni AJ ng cornea ng mga mata nito sa Eye Bank Foundation na napakinabangan ng da­lawang nilalang, kaya dahil doon, isasama ng TV host/producer ang pangalan ni AJ sa Walk of Fame.

Ipinaliwanag ni Kuya Germs kay Daddy Gerry na kahit patay na si AJ, maganda ang ginawa nilang ‘yon.
Malaking bagay rin ang pagiging poster boy nga­yon ni AJ para sa A Vision to Live On ng Eye Bank Foundation.

SOURCE: ABANTE-TONITE
http://abante-tonite.com/issue/aug2811/showbiz_jl.htm


 
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ANG yumaong ABS-CBN young actor na si AJ Pe­rez ang “poster boy” ng Eye Bank Foundation of The Philippines para sa kanilang A Vision To Live On campaign na ni-launch kahapon sa Annabel’s restaurant sa Morato Av., Quezon City.

Um-attend sa launch na ‘yon ang mga magulang ni AJ na sina Gerry at Marivic, pati ang kapatid niyang si Gelo Perez.

Sumuporta rin ang Star Magic talents na sina Enrique Gil, Jessy Mendiola at Young JV pati si Steven Silva.

Si AJ ang napiling “poster boy” para sa campaign na ‘yon dahil ang cornea ng kanyang mga mata ay idinonate ng kanyang mga magulang sa Eye Bank Foundation of The Philippines.

Dalawang tao ang nakinabang sa mga ‘yon, ang eight-year old na si John Daniel de los Santos at si Lawrence Villanueva (na birthday kahapon at 28 years old na).

Parehong nasa event na ‘yon ang dalawang reci­pient ng cornea ng mga mata ng yumaong young actor.

Ayon kay Daddy Gerry, masaya siya na kahit yumao na si AJ ay nananati­ling nakakatulong pa rin ito sa kanyang kapwa.

Sa pamamagitan ng A Vision To Live On campaign ng Eye Bank Foundation at sa tulong ni AJ bilang “poster boy” ay umaasa ang nasabing foundation na marami pang magsa-sign-up para sa kanilang “donor card” para sakaling mag-“goodbye” na sila sa mundong ito ay mapakinabangan pa rin ang cornea ng kanilang mga mata.

Sa mga gustong mag-sign-up para sa donor card ng Eye Bank Foundation, puwede kayong tumawag sa 302-6282 o mag-log-on sa kanilang website: www.eyebankphil.org

Samantala, pagkatapos ng event na ‘yon ay nag-coffee kami nina Daddy Gerry, Mommy Marivic, Gelo at nina Suzette at Arnold Ayson na mga magulang ng dating girlfriend ni AJ na si Steph, at ang dating handler ni AJ na si Gidget de la Cuesta.

Nabanggit sa akin ng mga magulang ng yumaong young actor na natutuwa sila na ang mga dating kasamahan ni AJ sa showbiz ay palagi pa ring nakasuporta sa kanila at pati sa event na ‘yon ay nagpunta pa rin.

Naikuwento rin sa akin ni Daddy Gerry na imbitado sa Star Magic Ball sa Set­yembre 3 ang kanyang bunso.

A-attend doon si Gelo kasama ang da­ting girlfriend ni AJ na si Steph.

-JUN LALIN

Source: ABANTE TONITE

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/aug2511/showbiz_jl.htm


 
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Four months after his death, AJ Perez’s memory is kept alive by the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines that recently named him its newest poster boy.The 18-year-old actor’s father, Gerry Perez, and younger brother, Angelo, graced the Eye Bank event, as reported on “TV Patrol,” Aug. 24. Clips also showed AJ’s good friends and fellow “Sabel” cast members Jessy Mendiola and Joseph Marco at the occasion.Angelo seemed to have followed in his brother’s footsteps by signing up to be a cornea donor.“I would love to donate and... I would really be proud of myself and I want to be just like my brother,” said he in an interview with the news program.The Perez family has donated AJ’s corneas to the Eye Bank, which benefited eight-year-old Daniel delos Santos and 28-year-old Lawrence Villanueva, who were both at the event as well.The two recipients underwent their respective corneal transplants on separate dates shortly after AJ’s death last April.“Guminhawa na po ‘yung pakiramdam ko,” was Daniel’s declaration to “TV Patrol.”Lawrence is as grateful to have received AJ’s cornea. He said that it relieved him of a problem with his left eye, which had previously affected his performance at work.“Two months pa lang ‘yung healing process niya and then the vision dapat one year and then right now 24-20 na [ang vision] ko,” said Lawrence in a separate interview.Daddy Gerry, meanwhile, admitted that their family still misses “everything” about AJ.“[We miss] his face, his smile…” he added pensively.Prior to AJ, actors Miko Sotto, Angelo Manhilot and Edward James Lim—sons of Ali Sotto, Cesar Montano and Toni Rose Gayda, respectively—donated their corneas to the Eye Bank.

Source : K

 
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NANGILID ANG LUHA namin pag-unveil sa poster ng Eye Bank Foundation. Pati si Daddy Gerry Perez at si Mommy Marivic, hindi maalis-alis sa nakangiting larawan ni AJ Perez ang kanilang tingin.

Si AJ ngayon ang poster boy ng Eye Bank Foundation kung saan siya ang simbolo ng bawat eye or cornea donor.  Dalawang nilalang nga ang nabiyayaan ng kanyang cornea na nandu’n din sa launching para personal na magpasalamat sa magulang ng namayapang aktor.

Um-attend din ang mga kaibigan ni AJ na sina Jessie Mendiola, Joseph Marco, Enrique Gil at iba pa bilang pagsuporta sa kanilang kaibigan.

Isa rin itong paraan para hikayatin ang mga tao na magsuksok ng card ng Eye Bank Foundation para pag dumating ang time na kukunin na ni Lord eh ido-donate na lang ang cornea o ang mata sa Eye Bank.

Maging kami ay kumuha na rin ng donor card, pero siyempre, ipinagpe-pray pa rin namin na saka na, after 50 years, Lord, ha? Ang liliit pa ng mga anak ko, hahaha!

Nakiusap talaga ke Lord? Hahahaha!  Love You, Lord!



Oh My G.
Ogie Diaz
http://www.pinoyparazzi.com/aj-perez-dalawang-buhay-ang-binigyan-ng-maliwanag-na-bukas/


 
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MANILA, Philippines — The end of a young life paved the way for the continuation of another life who received the gift of vision from the former through corneal transplantation.

Eight-year-old John Daniel de los Santos is an intelligent little kid who has always amazed his parents with his happy disposition, despite his condition. John had corneal ulcer on one eye, an open sore on the cornea, the transparent part of the eye which covers the iris, the colored part of the eye which is caused by bacterial infections.

“John acquired corneal cancer when he was two months old. Last year, his doctor said he could go for an operation that could restore his sight. We went to an eye bank and in April of this year, the doctor told us that we already have a donor,” Sarah delos Santos, John’s mother, told the media in a conference Wednesday.

The donor is the late young actor AJ Perez who is now the new poster boy of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines. Since Perez’s demise early this year, his parents have joined the eye bank’s new campaign “A vision to live on,” a campaign to encourage Filipinos to commit their corneas to the foundation and give the gift of eyesight to recipients.

A cornea is harvested from a cadaver within 12 hours after death.

The most common indications for corneal transplantation in the Philippines are infections, scars from such causes as corneal damage after eye surgery, genetic conditions that cause gradual damage to the cornea due to abnormal deposition of substances in the body or due to the gradual structural damage to the cornea; and abnormalities of shape of the cornea.

Dr. Ma. Minguita Padilla, Eyebank Foundation president and chairperson, said this year, 446 Filipinos have donated their corneas to the foundation.

“If the single donation of AJ Perez served to benefit two others, then more donors could help a vast more number of Filipinos who could yet have their sight restored,” Padilla said.

Former street sweeper Celia Avila, 62, also benefitted from a cornea donated by an anonymous donor. “Let us not be selfish with our cornea. It would be better if we could donate our cornea because someone else could receive the gift of sight.”

The eye bank distributes some 800 to 1,000 eye tissues for transplant and research a year. Fifty-two percent of patients in the Philippines who need corneal transplants are charity patients who are subsidized by the foundation.



SOURCE: MANILA BULLETIN

http://manila-bulletin.net/blog/2011/08/25/late-actor-lives-on-in-kid-who-received-his-cornea/

 
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MANILA, Philippines - Late actor AJ Perez is now the poster boy of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines.

The new poster was formally unveiled on Wednesday.

The recipients of Perez's corneas, as well as the late teen star's family and close friends, were present during the event.

Lawrence Villanueva and John Daniel de los Santos took the opportunity to express their sincerest gratitude to Perez for the second chance he had given to them.

According to the 28-year-old Villanueva, the cornea he got from Perez has helped him to be more productive in his job.

“Two months pa lang yung healing process niya. And then the vision dapat 1 year, and yet right now near 20[/20], 24/20 na ako,” he said during an interview with “TV Patrol.”

The 8-year-old de los Santos, on the other hand, said, “Guminhawa na po yung pakiramdam ko.”

Inspired by his older brother legacy, Angelo Perez also decided to become a cornea donor.

“I would love to donate, and it would be, I would be very proud of myself. I want to be just like my brother,” he said.




Source: 
Abs-Cbn News
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/08/24/11/aj-perez-eye-banks-new-poster-boy

 
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MANILA, Aug. 25 (PNA) -- The Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines launched Wednesday Eye Bank campaign in efforts to raise public awareness of becoming an "eye donor."

Dr. Dominga Padilla, ophthalmologist, president and chair of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, entitled "A Vision to Live On", said the campaign hopes to move Filipinos to commit to a gift of eyesight for people suffering from corneal blindness.

A year-long campaign, it also aimed to pay tribute to the individuals and their families who donate their eyes or corneas to the eye bank for others to see again.

Held at the Annabel's in Quezon City, the Eye Bank, unveiled the image of late young actor AJ Perez, 17, as poster boy of the campaign. He died in a car accident this year.

The campaign was highlighted with the presence of AJ's two recipients - John Daniel de los Santos, eight years old, and Lawrence Villanueva, 27, as well as testimonies of corneal transplant recipients, including a 62-year old street sweeper.

Another cornea donor's son of veteran and death march survivor, Epitacio Despabiladeras, who died at the age of 91, made his testimonies about his father.

Padilla said benefiting from corneal transplant includes poor people, having their sight restored for free. She said the cost of corneal transplant comes from their indigent fund of P3.5 million a year.

"If the single donation of AJ Perez's served to benefit two others, then more donors could help a vast more number of Filipinos in need. This doesn't mean to say that there aren't a lot of Filipinos who've committed to donating their eyes (and perhaps other usable organs) should misfortune overtake them," Padilla said.

She said that infections from contact lenses and dirty water, measles of a malnourished child, and trauma from chemicals, surgery (such as cornea surgery) are the most common indications for corneal transplantation in the country.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, the first to have organ donor card, signed Republic Act No. 7170 or Organ Donation Act of 1991.

Padilla started the Eye Bank as a non-stock, non-profit organization in 1995. Eye Bank had 27 donors whose cornea and eye tissue helped restore the sight of 29 people that year. (PNA)
DCT/FFC/SDT/utb


Source : 
Philippine News 
http://bit.ly/oD5XuU

 
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Daniel delos Santos
MANILA, Philippines - The late actor Antonello Joseph "AJ" Sarte Perez may have died young but his death has brought new life to 2 people after they were gifted with his corneas.

On Friday, 8-year-old Daniel delos Santos said he could now see faces instead of colors after a corneal transplant was performed on his right eye on the same day that Perez was buried.

"Nakakakita na po ako ngayon, pero mas malinaw na po ang paningin ko. Dati noong hindi pa ako inooperahan puro kulay lang po ang nakikita ko hindi po mukha," Santos told ABS-CBN's morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda."

Santos still wears protective eyeglasses to avoid complications.



 
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