Gigger Boys members: (Top: L-R) Enchong Dee, AJ Perez, Robi Domingo, Arron Villaflor, (Bottom: L-R) Chris Gutierrez, Dino Imperial, and Sam Concepcion
When AJ Perez was still living, he was a member of an all-male Star Magic dance group called "Gigger Boys". The group is also composed of equally good-looking and talented Kapamilya young actors: Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Sam Concepcion, Arron Villaflor, Enrique Gil, and Benjamin De Guzman (newest member), Dino Imperial, and Chris Gutierrez.
Gigger Boys was formed in 2009 and they have bonded so much since then. No wonder why it was hard for them when they heard of AJ Perez passing away.
On the April 17 episode of "The Buzz", Sam Concepcion, Robi Domingo, Arron Villaflor and Enrique Gil didn't help but to get emotional.
First up was the teary-eyed Robi who was asked by host Boy Abunda why he was crying.
"Sayang, e... sayang, e. You may say that the person has unlimited potential. Iba si AJ, hindi lang unlimited potential," the former Pinoy Big Brother Teen housemate replied.
When asked of his memories of AJ, he said, "Kasi, whenever wala si Tito Gerry [AJ's father] para sunduin siya, ako personally ang naghahatid sa kanya sa bahay. And sa time namin na yun, napag-uusapan namin lovelife niya, lovelife ko, lahat—anything under the sun. Ikinukuwento ko na sa kanya lahat."
"Si AJ kasi, hindi lang siya celebrity, hindi lang siya dancer, hindi lang siya Gigger Boys, hindi lang siya Kapamilya sa amin, he was one of our brothers. Kaya sobrang sakit," he added.
Robi was then asked for his message to AJ.
"AJ, alam namin na nasa mabuting lugar ka. You're with God now. Always take care of yourself, bro. We'll always pray for you."
It was then Arron's turn who said that AJ's death was painful for him. These were the things he said.
"Masakit, kasi malalapit na kaibigan kami. Kung paano nabuo ang grupo namin. Alam n'yo yun, napaka-solid namin. We work as one."
"Parang ang sakit lang. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin namin tanggap."
"Ewan ko, magulo pa rin ang isipan ko ngayon. Parang napakaimposible. Siyempre, masakit para sa aming lahat. Lalo na sa mga nakakakilala sa kanya, di ba?"
"Kaya noong narinig namin ang balita, parang nagtawagan kami, 2 a.m."
"'Bro, alam mo na ang balita kay AJ? Bro, wala na si AJ.' Akala ko, nagloloko lang sila. 'Bro, saan naman galing ang balitang 'yan?' sabi ko. 'Bro, it was confirmed. Patay na si AJ," Arron said.
Sam Concepcion was next and he shared that it was hard for him to accept right away.
"Actually, noong malaman ko yun, parang hindi mo pa kayang i-accept agad, e. Parang you're in shock, you're in denial."
"Until right now, ang nararamdaman ko, parang ganoon pa rin. It was surreal.
"When I found out about it, I was trembling. My heart was pounding. Ganoon pa rin po ang feeling ko hanggang ngayon."
"And the way I remember AJ, he was just a happy soul. Masayahin lang po siya, kung bakit kami nagtatawanan. Most of the laughs we shared is because of AJ," said Sam.
Enrique Gil also can't believe of the tragic incident that happened to their friend. He said,
"I can't believe na wala na si AJ."
"Nalaman ko na wala na siya noong tumawag sa akin si JM de Guzman sa taping. Sabi niya, 'Bro, totoo ba ang balita?' Sabi ko, 'Ano?' 'Huwag kang mabibigla, ha. Si AJ raw, wala na.' 'Pre, hindi totoo 'yan. Teka lang, tawagan ko si AJ."
"May sumagot, parang si AJ. Sabi ko, 'Bro, anong nangyari sa 'yo?' Si Tito Gerry pala yun, yung tatay niya ang sumagot. 'Ken,' tawag niya sa akin Ken. 'Ken, I can't talk right now.' Sabi niya, 'AJ is gone.'
"Mabilis daw ang takbo nila, tinamaan daw sila ng truck. Sabi ko, 'Tito, I can't believe it. I'm so sorry.' Sabi niya, 'Just tell your friends na lang. I'm sure they want to know.'"
After the interview, Sam Concepcion did a heartfelt rendition of Michael Jackson's "Gone Too Soon" which he sang beautifully.
The boys also took park during the interment mass of AJ and Sam sang the song once again.
Let's look back on these memories of AJ Perez with the Gigger Boys which were captured on cam:
Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN, PEX, PEP, and Gigger Boys Facebook Fan Page