TWBA Throwback: Ion Perez remembers his first day as Kuya Escort on It’s Showtime

Miss Q&A’s Kuya Escort Ion Perez made his first tell-all interview on Tonight With Boy Abunda in 2018.

In his chat with the King of Talk Boy Abunda, Ion described himself as “isang simpleng mamayan sa probinsya [ng Concepcion, Tarlac] na tinutulungan si nanay sa pagtitinda ng meryenda,” wherein he sold homemade food on the streets for a living.

Recalling his past, Ion said that it wasn’t all good. He experienced bullying before, which he said wounded his personality, such as hearing hurtful remarks that he is “pangit na, mabaho pa”. Since then, he became motivated in improving his looks and make himself better.

During his teenage years, Ion began a career in modeling with engagements in their province, but was afraid to do so in the city at first.

Until he met a photographer who encouraged him to join male pageants. Eventually, he joined an international competition called Mr. Universe Tourism 2018, in which he won.

 

On becoming the new “Kuya Escort,” Ion said that it was an unexpected opportunity that came his way.

As narrated by Ion, it was 2am and he was out with his friends when someone approached him and asked if he was free the next day. When Ion said he was free, he was then invited to go to It’s Showtime and became Miss Q & A’s Kuya Escort.

Ion said he thought he was just asked to audition. But to his surprise, it was already his first day on the job. Shocked with everything that’s happening, Ion said he even made a lot of mistakes on air.

 

About his distinctive cha-cha moves, Ion shared that was already doing it before to have some fun while helping his mother in making their rice cakes.

Ion also answered some issues about him. He stated that he just wants to entertain people, and he doesn’t care if they judge him because he knows that he can prove his dignity.

Now that Ion’s father and his elder brother already passed away, he said his mother is whom he values the most. In front of the camera, he made a promise to his mom that he will help her as long as he can. He vowed he will never let her experience hardships again.