Musical variety show “ASAP Rocks” on Sunday paid tribute to its young host, actor AJ Perez, who was killed in a car accident in Tarlac.A prayer, led by Gary Valenciano, was offered for the 18-year-old actor-model at the start of the show.
“We pray that You bless his family and his dad in this very unfortunate time. We lift ourselves up to You, Lord, dahil medyo mabigat mag-show na ganito because ito po ang unang beses na nakaranas kami ng isang tao na talagang connected po sa amin dito sa ‘ASAP’ na wala na po. We pray for everyone mourning at this time, for this very tragic loss,” a teary-eyed Valenciano said.
“AJ may no longer be with us physically, but because he left good memories that we will treasure in our hearts, he will live on… AJ, we dedicate this show to you, it’s yours. Embrace him, Lord, and give him the best seat to watch what we offer him today. In Jesus name, amen.”
All wearing white, other hosts of the show, some of whom were crying, stood behind him as Valenciano performed his song, “Home.”
“AJ, you’ve gone home. We miss you,” Valenciano said after the song.
Perez, together with his father, 2 road managers, a driver and an event marshal, met a vehicular accident early Sunday while he was on his way back to Manila after a provincial show.
Police said the van carrying the victims tried to overtake a trailer truck when it collided with the incoming Partas provincial passenger bus along McArthur Highway in Barangay San Julian.
In an official statement, ABS-CBN expressed its condolences to Perez’s family.
“ABS-CBN sympathizes with AJ’s family on his untimely demise, and urges everyone to pray for the eternal repose of AJ’s soul and for the family and loved ones he left behind,” said Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications.
“ABS-CBN continues to help AJ’s family during this difficult and discomforting time and to attend to the needs of the others that got hurt in the unfortunate accident,” Osorio added.
Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
