Video: Claudine Barretto Binisita Ang Puntod Ng Ex-Boyfriend Na Si Rico Yan!

Love apparently still lives on for actress Claudine Barretto and her late boyfriend actor Rico Yan. Claudine Barretto visits Rico Yan's grave.

Rico Yan is Claudine Barretto's former boyfriend. Rico Yan passed away on March 29, 2002 at just 27 years old. His death came as a shock to Claudine and the rest of the showbiz community.

Barretto and Yan first teamed up in the movie “Radio Romance” in 1996. It was on this film that they first met. That time Barretto was still involved with actor Mark Anthony Fernandez while Yan was dating a non-showbiz girl. They later appeared together in other films: “Madrasta” (1996), “Flames: The Movie” (1997), “Home Along Da Riles” (1997), “Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita” (1998) and “Got to Believe” (2002).

Barretto and Yan became closer when they appeared on the movie “Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita.” Since then, they started dating and fell in love, according to television host Boy Abunda. In one of their anniversaries, Barretto said that she would never forget the gigantic television set which Yan gave her.

Production staff members could attest to the sweetness of the two stars.

“Sabay silang kumain,” a staff said. Another witness said that Barretto brings Yan food and prepares his vitamins.

Remembering Rico...

It was on Good Friday, March 29, 2002, when the country was shocked with the sudden death of Yan, then 27 years old. Police said that Yan was found dead by his friend actor Dominic Ochoa inside his hotel room at the Dos Palmas Resort in Puetro Princesa in Palawan. Autopsy showed that Yan suffered cardiac arrest caused by acute hemorrhagic pacreatitis while he was asleep. Ochoa said that he and other friends went to a party on Thursday night. Then they returned to their cottage around 2 a.m. Friday. Ochoa said he tried to wake up Yan around 9 a.m. but he was already lifeless. Yan’s wake was held at the La Salle Greenhills in San Juan City. He was interred at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City.

Yan grew up in a family of soldiers and businessmen. He is the son of Roberto Yan Sr and Teresita Castro Yan. He is also the grandson of former Ambassador Manuel Yan, who was a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 1968-1972.

Rico Yan has three siblings – Geraldine, Tina and Bobby, a television personality.

Yan’s burial is said to be one of the Top 10 most attended funerals in the the country’s history. At the time of his death, Yan was supposed to star in three other projects: a lead role in the movie sequel of “Moral,” a major role in the play “Sinta,” and a part in the Fernando Poe Jr. and Judy Ann Santos sequel of the film “Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko.”

Fr. Tito Caluag, then Yan’s spiritual adviser prior to his death, said that the actor wanted to become president.

“Rico wanted to be a leader but never mentioned leadership because he only wanted to serve. He wanted to be like JFK who gave America a sense of pride and class, and inspired his people,” said Caluag.