Remembering Rico Yan on His 20th Death Anniversary
Rico Yan's family, friends, and fans are commemorating him on the 20th anniversary of his death. The actor died in Dos Palmas Resort at Puerto Princesa, Palawan on March 29, 2002, at the age of 27 during Good Friday.
According to autopsy reports, Yan died from cardiac arrest due to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Yan was with fellow actor and close friend Dominic Ochoa who also discovered his lifeless body. The news of the young actor's death were quickly spread through text messages as TV networks were off-air during the holiday. It was then confirmed by AM radio announcers.
From Puerto Princesa, Yan's body was brought to Manila. Among those who met the plane was Karen Davila who reported the news for TV Patrol.
Many were surprised and in disbelief that Yan had died as he was interviewed by a radio station upon arriving in Palawan. "Holy Week vacation," he answered when asked why he was in the province. "We might stay for a while in Dos Palmas."
He also answered questions about his girlfriend Claudine Barretto, specifically why she wasn't with him. He said, "She had to go to Subic kasi yung tatay niya nakadestino doon. So, I made plans with my friends na dito mag-Holy Week, and dapat kasama siya, pero sayang hindi siya makasama. Last minute, she had to spend time with her family."
He, however, dodged questions about issues with Barretto. "Let's not delve into that," he told reporters.
When Yan went to Palawan, cinemas were showing Got 2 Believe, the rom-com he starred in with Barretto. In the film, Barretto plays Toni, a wedding coordinator that gets entangled with Yan's Lorenz who is a wedding photographer.
The movie opened on February 27, 2002, and was a blockbuster hit. The couple's relationship was already rocky during the movie's press conference, but the press managed to keep the truth hidden. Yan and Barretto's break-up was only revealed after the movie had been out in theaters.
The actor's wake was held at La Salle Greenhills in San Juan which was attended by fans from different parts of the country. As the network war between ABS-CBN and GMA-7 was at its peak at the time, the Kapamilya Network had exclusive coverage of Yan's wake. But, GMA-7's Paolo Bediones managed to cover the wake by accompanying Barretto.
It is remembered that Bediones captured footage through a spy camera that was shown on S-Files. Bediones later remembered the wake: "I actually forgot about that spy camera that we were supposed to use that time. Not sure if any of the footage was used for our show though. We had several days of coverage and all the newspapers headlined his tragic death. What I do remember is that the outpouring of love and sympathy from the people at the wake was overwhelming."
He continued, "I remember fans sharing their stories of Rico’s generosity and kindness, how he would go out of his way to have a picture taken with them. I remember the long lines along Ortigas packed with those that wished to say goodbye one last time waving the posters and placards filled with messages of admiration for the young idol. I remember Gary V singing 'Warrior is a Child,' and there was not a single dry eye in the venue or even watching on television, I bet. I personally remember Rico during the times we encountered each other in showbiz as an extremely humble guy, full of energy, and just positive about life."
The wake was not without intrigue and controversy. Barretto was allegedly prevented from paying her respects to the actor. The Philippine Star reported: "Claudine Barretto was said to have been barred by the actor’s family, for reasons not disclosed by them, from getting near the casket during the Mass at the La Salle-Greenhills gym in Mandaluyong City preceding the funeral motorcade to the memorial park."
It continued, "She was sighted along with her sister Marjorie and her brother-in-law Dennis Padilla at a distance from the funeral rites and left before the burial was over. At the airport, Barreto promised to 'bare all' when she returns from Hong Kong on Wednesday and set the record straight after she was pictured as the 'villain' in the death of Yan, especially on the reason of their breakup after a four-year relationship."
As the saying goes, though: "Time heals all wounds." Barretto's relationship with Yan's family has been fixed. A video of Yan's mother Teresita Castro-Yan together with Barretto visiting the actor's grave was proof of this.
For his 20th death anniversary, Barretto was invited to the memorial by Yan's family as she was a big part of the actor's life.
From: PEP.ph
