'Caroki Perry' murder causes controversy in the Philippines

Seferino 'Perry' Mariano, 75, known as the 'Father of Philippine Billiards' or 'Boss Perry' or 'Karaoke Perry', was shot dead by two unknown gunmen on a motorcycle in Quezon City on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Norberto Olimaco, 51, the driver of the white car he was traveling in, also died in the attack. Perry's death, known as the owner of a network of clubs and for his underworld connections, shocked the Philippines.

The assassination took place during the day near the intersection of 'Timog' Avenue and EDSA, which has heavy traffic. One of the two gunmen, who arrived on a motorcycle and was wearing a helmet, approached the car and carried out the shooting. The driver, who sustained serious injuries in the shooting, was already dead upon admission to East Avenue Medical Center, while Mariano, who was in critical condition, passed away shortly after being hospitalized.

The Quezon City Police District has already released CCTV footage of the incident to the media, and a wide-ranging operation has been launched to apprehend the suspects. According to the Philippine National Police, successful information has already been received regarding the possible hiding places of the suspects. Kamuning Police Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Capellan stated that they suspect the killing was due to a business dispute. He further added that investigations are ongoing to gather more information from family members and to look into previous death threats.

Although not a professional billiards player, Mariano made an invaluable contribution to elevating Philippine billiards to a world-class level for over four decades. He was the founder of Bugsy Promotions and the owner of Lucky Break Billiards Hall. He also served as the former president of the Association of Club, Karaoke, and Disco Owners, playing a massive role in the country's entertainment industry.

Mariano was also the pioneer in producing many world champions such as Dennis Orcollo, Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, and Ronnie Alcano. He identified the talents of new players and provided them with necessary training, financial sponsorship, and opportunities to participate in international competitions. He even provided financial sponsorship for Johann Chua to participate in a tournament in Indonesia at the age of 16. Following in his footsteps, his son Hadlee Mariano is currently serving as the CEO of the Sharks Billiards Association, continuing to serve Philippine billiards.

Mariano's sudden demise has deeply shocked the Philippine billiards community. Many players and officials, including current world billiards champion Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, and Philippine Billiards and Snooker Federation President Aristeo Puyat, have expressed their profound sorrow, appreciating his contributions to the sport. His son, Hadlee Mariano, paid his final respects to his father by sharing a heartfelt message on social media, stating, "To many, he was a giant pillar of Philippine billiards, but to me, he was simply my beloved father."