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

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 : 

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.

At the premiere of Star Cinema's Way Back Home last night, August 16, AJ Perez's loved ones still mourned for the young actor who was originally cast in one of the lead roles of the film.

Amidst the excitement at the opening night that was attended by boisterous fans, AJ was remembered by his co-workers, friends, and family members.

Stephanie Ayson, the actor's girlfriend before his tragic loss, was among the attendees.

"I'm doing much better now," she said in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the cast party after the premiere of Way Back Home.

There was calmness on her expression and an endearing smile that somehow assured one she was fine.

"Of course, I haven't forgotten what happened, pero I think I'm doing well with it," she said with a frown and a tear almost breaking out.

It could have been difficult to face once again the limelight that loved AJ so much, but Steph was there and so were AJ's parents and brother.

Steph mentions appreciating Way Back Home and its cast.



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Wednesday, August 17, 2011
12:45 PM


As soon as Sam Concepcion and Enrique Gil saw Mr. Gerry Perez at the Chef's Quarter restaurant in SM Megamall last night, August 16, they gave him a long hug.

Mr. Perez, the father of the late actor AJ Perez, attended the premiere night of Way Back Home along with his wife Marivic and son Gelo.

AJ should have been part of this Star Cinema movie if he didn't die in a vehicular accident that took place in Tarlac last April 17. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)

Today, August 17, marks the fourth month of AJ's death.

Mr. Perez says that he misses his son every day.


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Hello everyone! I know it’s been a while since I last gave an update (on Facebook and Tumblr) and it’s because I’ve been very busy with school and this big thing I’m about to tell you about. I never answered questions about which university I decided to study in because I wanted to wait for the perfect time. I’m happy to say that I found that perfect time. I have been taking up my first year of BS Psychology in Ateneo de Manila University. (No negative reaction please :( hahaha!)

Aside from my studies, I’ve also been busy with the organizations I joined in college. One of them is the Company of Ateneo Dancers or CADs. I have been training a lot lately with the jazz team for my first competition which is Maximum Groovity 7. 

I remember how I never really wanted to dance in college because I thought that I should let go of it so I could focus on my studies. It was AJ who has always told me that I should not let go of something that I have always loved. He definitely is one of the main reasons why I chose to audition for CADs. Because of this, I am offering this dance to AJ and all of those who have been so supportive the past few months - the Lord, my family, friends, YOU. 

With that said, I am inviting all of you to watch Maximum Groovity 7 and support the Company of Ateneo Dancers - Jazz Team! Click on the links below for more details regarding the competition and how you could show your support! Thank you so much and God bless! :)

-Steph Ayson

To show your support:

1. Click on the link » Maximum Groovity - The Ultimate Interschool Dance Showdown and like the page. Then click on this link » Company of Ateneo Dancers - Jazz and like the logo of ADMU. 

2. Click on the link » Maximum Groovity and add the account as your friend. Then click on this link » Company of Ateneo Dancers - Jazz and like the photo of our team.

3. Watch the competition on August 29 at the Ynares Sports Arena and support CADs - Jazz! Thank you everyone! :) 

** if you do all three, we will love you forever ;) **