Ion Perez

Benigno Dungo Perez (born November 27, 1990), popularly known as Ion Perez , is a Filipino actor, model, and television host. He is best known as the Kuya Escort in the Miss Q and A segment of It's Showtime.

He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show It's Showtime.

Early life Perez is the 11th of 15 siblings with his father a jeepney driver and his mother a kakanin vendor. According to some of his interviews from the past, he was bullied when he was younger because of his lanky frame. As a response, he motivated himself to get fit and take care of himself.

He used to help his parents run a poultry shop inside a wet market. After developing muscles, Perez often went shirtless as a marketing tactic to help draw in customers to his parents' stall.

Career Perez works as a model having been featured in the bachelors list of Cosmopolitan Philippines fashion magazine. He also participated in pageants. Perez was among the winners of the 2017 Misters of Filipinas and was the winner of the 2018 Mister Universe Tourism. His victories in pageants led him to more opportunities in his modelling career.

Having been part of It's Showtime for over 5 years, he recently celebrated a milestone by achieving his first win during Magpasikat 2023. He teamed up with Jhong Hilario and Kim Chiu as part of the group called Team JKI. The prize, amounting to 300,000 pesos, was donated to their chosen charity.

In October 2024, he filed his candidacy for councilor in Concepcion, Tarlac under the Nationalist People's Coalition in the 2025 elections. A month later, he withdrew his candidacy.

Personal life On October 19, 2021, Perez and Vice Ganda had a commitment ceremony at The Little Vegas Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. On September 19, 2018, he first appeared on It's Showtime, when it happened Vice Ganda and Ion revealed that they had gotten engaged on February 21, 2020, and had undergone a non-legal LGBTQ+ wedding commitment ceremony.

Himself, co-host

Film + Year Title Role Notes Producer 2019 The Mall, The Merrier Pose Bastardos Leader "Richard" Guest role, Official Entry for the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival ABS-CBN StudiosStar Cinema& Viva Films 2020 Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim Einstein First Supporting role, Official Entry for the 46th Metro Manila Film Festival Cineko ProductionsABS-CBN Films& Star Cinema 2021 Kaka Levi Sales First Lead role in a film Viva FilmsVivamax& Five 2 Seven Entertainment Production 2022 Partners in Crime Motorcycle Max Guest appearance (uncredited), Official Entry for the 48th Metro Manila Film Festival ABS-CBN StudiosStar Cinema& Viva Films 2026Petrang Kabayo: Ang Lihim ng Bughaw na Anting-anting Leon Dela Cruz Supporting role in a protagonistABS-CBN StudiosStar CinemaThe IdeaFirst Company& Viva Films

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominee / Work Result 2019 5th Rawr Awards Breakthrough Artist of the Year It's Showtime 2020 5th Push Awards Push True Love of the Year (Shared with Vice Ganda) Ion Perez 2021 2nd VP Choice Awards Promising Male Star of the Year It's Showtime 2023 8th Push Awards Push Power Couple of 2022 (Shared with Vice Ganda) Ion Perez 2024 9th Push Awards Push Power Couple of 2023 (Shared with Vice Ganda) 9th Rawr Awards Love Team of the Year (Shared with Vice Ganda) It's Showtime