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Published May 21, 2025 6:07pm
Multi-awarded Filipino playwright Tony Perez has passed away. He was 74 years old.
His granddaughter, Pearl Miranda, confirmed his passing to GMA News Online via Facebook Messenger on Wednesday.
According to her, Tony died on Tuesday, May 20.
Aside from being a playwright, Tony was also a renowned fictionist, painter, educator, and expert on the paranormal and Philippine mysticism.
On Facebook Wednesday, the Cultural Center of the Philippines mourned Tony’s passing.
“As a prolific artist, Tony’s body of work extended beyond theater,” the CCP wrote. “He was a staunch advocate of psychological realism in drama and was among the rare few whose creative practice also embraced spiritual exploration.”
"The CCP extends its deepest condolences to Tony Perez’s family, friends, collaborators, students, and the many communities he touched through his profound art and spirit. His creative genius and metaphysical vision have left an indelible imprint on our cultural soul. We honor his memory and celebrate a life lived fully in the service of the arts."
Tony, full name Antonio Benjamin Silva Perez, was born on March 31, 1951 in San Fernando, Pampanga. According to his blog, he earned his undergraduate degree at the Ateneo de Manila University (A.B. Communications) in 1972 and attended Ateneo de Manila University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Cand. M.A. Clinical Psychology) from 1972 to 1977.
He also took up an M.A. in Religious Studies at the Maryhill School of Theology from 1998 to 2004 and graduated magna cum laude.
Some of his plays are “Hoy, Boyet, Tinatawag Ka Na; Hatinggabi Na 'y Gising Ka Pa Pala,” “Anak ng Araw,” “Gabun,” “K-31,” “Luwalhati,” “Florante At Laura (The Musical),” “Ang Prinsipe Ng Buwan,” “Sa Pugad Ng Adarna (The Musical),” and more.
He has received multiple awards and honors for his work, including the CCP Thirteen Artists Award in 1974, the FAMAS Award for Best Story in 1975, the grand prize for Novel in the Filipino Division at the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 1984, the National Book Award for Fiction in 1995, and the CCP Centennial Honors for the Arts in 1999, among others.
Among his published books include “Cubao 1980 At Iba Pang Mga Katha: Unang Sigaw Ng Gay Liberation Movement Sa Pilipinas,” “The Calling: A Transpersonal Adventure,” “Mga Panibagong Orasyon,” and “Mga Panibagong Kulam Sa Pag-ibig.”
In 2017, Tony had guested in GMA Network's talk show “Mars” where he offered his expertise and insights on gayuma.
—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
