Sa mga unang taon ng pagbi-buildup kay AJ Perez bilang dramatic actor na nasa pamamahala ng Star Magic, lumabas na rin siya sa isang episode ng Maalala Mo Kaya na idinirek ni Jeffrey Jeturian.Ang episode na may title na "Dalandan" ay isinahimpapawid noong February 22, 2008. Tampok ang Kapuso star na si Regine Velasquez, bilang si Cathy, at Albert Martinez bilang si Gian. Ang anak ni Albert sa episode ay si AJ Perez, bilang si Harold. Maganda ang episode na tinampukan ni AJ, with seasoned performers like Regine, Albert, and Christian Vasquez (as the other man in Regine's character's life).
Kuwento ng lovers na dalawang beses nagkahiwalay sa kanilang kabataan, at nagkabalikan matapos ang dalawampung taon, bilang patotoo na ang dakilang pag-ibig ay minsan lamang dumarating sa tanang buhay.
"Serious and well-bred" ang mga salitang nabanggit ni Jeturian patungkol kay AJ.
Kakaiba naman sa naunang MMK guesting ni AJ ang matutunghayan ng televiewers sa Sabado, April 30.
Sa direksiyon ni Dado Lumibao, mula sa panulat ni Benson Logronio, the MMK episode is about the love between two brothers who are social outcast.
"Kasama ni AJ dito si Bugoy Cariño," banggit pa ni Direk Dado.
"It tells the story of two brothers who, out of poverty and having been outcast in the city, had to walk from Manila to Samar in search of better opportunities.
"AJ is the jaded elder brother who thinks his brother is pabigat. But along the way, he learns to love him. "Ang kalsada ang naging guro nila sa buhay."
Ano ang naging impression ni Dado kay AJ sa kanilang naging pagtatrabaho?
"Nakita ko kay AJ yung passion at dedication niya as an actor. He listens and is very willing to learn. He is focused.
"After each take, he would preview and ask kung nagawa niya ang dapat niyang gawin. Sa set, tahimik lang si AJ. It was only during break and after pack-up that we would be able to talk and makakapagkuwentuhan. Marami siyang pangarap. Gusto niyang maging mahusay na artista. Given the opportunity, sana. I know he will be. Very promising siya."
Isa pa ring naging malaking paghamon sa kakayahan ng young actor, noong nabubuhay pa ito, ang papel na naibigay sa kanya ng MMK sa mapapanood nang susunod na episode.
"AJ is very professional," sabi ni Direk Dado. "Mabait na bata siya at walang kaartehan sa katawan. Walang reklamo kahit dinumihan siya sa katawan at ginawang taong grasa. Pinahiga sa madumi. Pinalakad at pinatakbo sa init ng araw, sa ulan. Pinaligo sa malamig na ilog. May script revisions sa set, but he was able to memorize his lines. Nakakapagod yung taping from Manila to Sorsogon for four days, pero he did it. While we travel from one location to another, ang lagkit at napaka-uncomfortable ng pakiramdam. Lalo na sa kanya, na hindi binihisan at hindi nilinis ang katawan! But he [AJ] told me, 'It's okay.' It's part of his work as an actor. Never siyang inalagaan and pabigat sa set. Ginawa niya lahat ng pinagawa ko sa kanya. It's nice to work with actors who trust you. Isa na si AJ dun."
Direk Dado considers having directed AJ in his final appearance as an actor, via the MMK episode, both a privilege and an honor.
"This MMK episode was first—and would be the last time I had worked with AJ. It was a privilege [and] an honor that I directed him in his final appearance as an actor," sabi niya.
What could have been AJ's great assets as an actor which Dado have seen and thought could be utilized to the full had the boy lived longer?
"Malaking asset ni AJ ang kanyang mga mata. Very expressive... nangungusap," sagot ng direktor. I've always told him, 'No extra movements. Just use your eyes to express your emotions.' And he did.
"Even in death, his eyes were utilized," makahulugang saad pa ni Lumibao. Ito ay bilang pagtukoy sa kung paano magiging makabuluhan ang pagyao ni AJ dahil sa silbi ng mga cornea niyang papakinabangan ng dalawang nangangailangan.
"At yung timbre ng boses niya. In time, pag natutunan niyang kontrolin ito, he could have been the best actor in his generation. Am going to miss him. His last words after pack-up: 'Hope to work with you again, Direk!' And I said, happily, 'Yes, we will, soon!'" malungkot na huling sambit ni Direk Dado.
Source: www.pep.ph
