Philippine Showbiz Today
April 8 - 21, 2019
17
7 facts about Ion Perez,
the ‘special’ man in Vice Ganda’s life
Before he became known as
“Kuya Escort” on “It’s Showtime,”
where his relationship with Vice
Ganda blossomed into something
“special,” Ion Perez made a mark in
the male pageant scene.
Perez,
who
hails
from
Concepcion, Tarlac, was among
the winners of the 2017 Misters
of Filipinas pageant. A year later,
he was crowned Mister Universe
Tourism, thereby clinching him
wider modeling opportunities.
But even prior to that, Perez
was already a rising fashion
model. Among his notable stints
is being part of the bachelor list of
Cosmopolitan Philippines.
Aside from a career in front
of the cameras, here are six other
facts about Perez, based on his own
revelations in past interviews:
• Ion is the 11th of 15 siblings.
His late father was a jeepney driver,
while his mother worked for a time
as a kakanin vendor.
• As a kid, he was bullied
because of a lanky frame. He used
this motivation to get physically fit,
which would lead him to modelling
opportunities.
• He used to help his parents
sell poultry at the wet market. One
of his tactics to attract customers
then, he said, was going shirtless.
• Due to lack of confidence,
Perez was initially hesitant to join
pageants. However, after three
years of convincing from his talent
manager who saw his potential, he
eventually tried out for Misters of
Filipina – and the rest is history.
• When he first appeared on
“It’s Showtime” in September 2018,
he had mistakenly thought he was
only scheduled to audition for the
“Kuya Escort” role. He ended up on
stage, interacting with the co-hosts
including Vice Ganda.
• Prior to his “It’s Showtime”
stint, Perez had already me Vice
Ganda a year earlier during a
“Gandang Gabi Vice” taping. In
October 2017, he and his fellow
Misters of Filipinas winners were
among the audience members, and
Perez was handpicked by “Gigil Kid”
Carlo for an on-the-spot interview.
(abs-cbn/Rated K )