'Bawal Judgemental' guest is the recipient of late actor AJ Perez's cornea

The "Eat Bulaga" hosts were surprised on Tuesday when they learned that "Bawal Judgemental" guest John Daniel delos Santos is the recipient of late actor AJ Perez's cornea.

Daniel said when he was one and a half month old, he had a scar in eyes. "Tapos hindi po alam kung ano 'yung cause po nun."

"Siguro daw po, alikabok daw po 'tapos nakusot ko, or baka daw po nakalmot ko ng kuko ko,” he narrated.

At eight years old, Daniel underwent an operation, and AJ happened to be his cornea donor.

"Bale, yung sa cornea po, nagkaroon ng puti sa gitna po, kaya po napakasobrang labo po," he said.

"Aninag lang po yung nakikita ko, isang mata lang po yung gumagana sa akin kaya po nahihirapan po ako," he added. Daniel said he would even get headaches when he tried to read.

The 17-year-old contestant said he underwent the operation on April 26 in 2011, on the same day AJ was laid to rest at Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City.

AJ was only 18 years old when passed away on April 17 in 2011, after a vehicular accident in Moncada, Tarlac.

According to PEP.ph, the actor's parents Gerry and Marivic Perez decided to give AJ's cornea to EyeBank Foundation of the Philippines to help those who might need it.

Daniel expressed his gratitude to AJ and his parents.

"Sa parents po ni Kuya AJ, saka sa kanya po mismo, maraming maraming salamat po kasi napakalaking tulong po sa akin nung cornea niya po," he said.

"Habambuhay po na pasasalamat sa kanila po dahil malaking tulong po ito hanggang paglaki ko," he added.

According to PEP.ph's report aside from Daniel who was eight when he received AJ's cornea, Lawrence Villanueva who was then 28 years old also received the actor's cornea. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News