Rico Yan

Ricardo Carlos Castro Yan (March 14, 1975 – March 29, 2002) was a Filipino actor known for his roles in numerous romance and comedy films and TV shows in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Yan started his career as a commercial model in 1995 after being discovered by a talent agent while a student at De La Salle University. He debuted as a member of Star Circle Batch 1 (now Star Magic) in November that same year. He subsequently earned his bachelor's degree in Marketing Management in 1997.

His preppy rich persona was used to effect in subsequent films such as Radio Romance, Ama, Ina, Anak, and Madrasta. His first leading movie was Radio Romance with Claudine Barreto released on February 1996 and followed by a movie Madrasta in the same year along with Sharon Cuneta. After several television and movie parts, Yan became a household name when he played Ricky Salveron in Gimik (1996) and Gabriel Maglayon in Mula Sa Puso (1997). Yan starred in commercially successful television and films with pairings opposite Judy Ann Santos and Claudine Barretto. His other best-known films on Star Cinema were Paano Ang Puso Ko? (1997), Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay (1998), Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita (1998), Gimik: The Reunion (1999), Mula sa Puso: The Movie (1999) and Got 2 Believe (2002). In 2014, Star Cinema ranked him the No. 5 in the List of "The Kings of Star Cinema", twelve years after his death.

Yan also made appearances on television shows like Mara Clara (1996), 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila (1996), Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999), Magandang Tanghali Bayan (2001) and Whattamen (2001).

Family and early life
Ricardo Carlos Castro Yan was born at The Medical City, which was then located in Mandaluyong, Philippines. Yan grew up in a family of soldiers and business men. He was the son of Roberto Yan, Sr. (1947–2015), an ethnic Filipino Chinese from Metro Manila and his Ilocana wife, Teresita Castro-Yan who hailed from Laoag, Ilocos Norte. He was the grandson of Manuel T. Yan, Sr. (1920–2008), former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Ambassador to Thailand, Indonesia, and United Kingdom, and Colonel Isabelo Ruiz Castro. He had 3 siblings: Geraldine, Tina, and Bobby, a television host. His parents are business owners, owning a security agency for having military background in the family. Yan was an alumnus of Xavier School for his primary education in 1988 and high school from De La Salle Santiago Zobel School in 1993.

Early work: 1995
Yan was a twenty-year-old senior student from De La Salle University when he got his first shot of popularity. He was one of the promising commercial models of Cosmopolitan Modeling Agency, picked to be the main man on his first television commercial for Master Facial Cleanser. He was discovered while falling in line in one of the fast foods on his school De La Salle University when a talent scout asked him if he wanted to be a commercial model. Talent manager Johnny Manahan asked Yan if he wanted to be in the movies. Yan was reluctant in joining showbiz and was managed by Biboy Arboleda. He was then launched as one of the members of Star Circle Batch 1, composed of eight talents. While Yan was finishing his marketing thesis and trimesters in college, he was also enthralling public attention through his commercials and most magazine covers.

Breakthrough: 1996–2000
1996 marked a compelling period in Yan's career; he became notable. As a matinee idol, he was most charming. In June 1996, Yan played the boy next door character in youth-oriented show Gimik, named Ricky Salveron directed by Laurenti Dyogi shown on The Filipino Channel (TFC). The show was about the lives of a solid bunch of juvenile living in an imaginary village that tackles the experiences and fun of being young, alongside Judy Ann Santos, Jolina Magdangal, Giselle Toengi, Mylene Dizon, Patrick Garcia, Diether Ocampo and Marvin Agustin. The show ran for three years and was adapted in motion picture release, GIMIK: The Reunion in 1999, because of the outpouring on screen chemistry of Yan and Santos on Gimik the team up continued on television drama Mara Clara, he played the young medical intern named Derrick Gonzales. In the same year, Yan became a co host on 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila, a noon time variety show where he had a portion called Ricollection.

In 1997, Yan played the protagonist Gabriel Maglayon in successful primetime television drama Mula sa Puso, an assiduous cab driver who is willing to give up everything for the family and loved one, alongside Claudine Barretto. The series ran for 2 years and was adapted for motion picture release, Mula sa Puso: The Movie in 1999. Playing Gabriel was one of Yan's unforgettable characters on television.

Yan also appeared on Star Drama Presents which he showcased his versatility as an actor by playing other characters, and one of few Talent Center artists who had numerous appearances in the series, starring in twelve, as featured artist in March 1997 and April 1998.

In 1999, Yan next starred on television drama Saan Ka Man Naroroon opposite Claudine Barretto. He was the agriculturist named Daniel Pineda, an uncomplicated young man but when love transpired, acquired uncertainty with how life's been hard on him. Married a rich old maid to ameliorate living, nevertheless, the union was tormented with lies and deceit.

In 2000, Yan worked with director Chito S. Roño in a mini-series titled Detour, making it as his third starring role for Star Drama Presents. He was Carl, an eccentric rich young man who was dying and in journey through life.

In movies, Yan moved up to be a leading actor. In 1996 and 1997, he did Paano ang Puso Ko?, as Jason Delgado, a free-spirited, mischievous and playful repatriate. Indisposed but want to live a normal and enjoy life to the fullest. And Joel Bernabe, a sedulous merchandiser in the two-part film Flames: the Movie.

In the film Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, a romantic drama, directed by Rory Quintos In September 1998, Yan played Alex Medina, an aspiring businessman whose only dream is to open his own restaurant. Paired opposite Judy Ann Santos whose character needs to choose between family and Alex, the movie was Yan's first full-length role as a leading man, shot in one of the most romantic place Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.

In June 1998, Yan alongside Barretto starred in the film Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita, directed by Wenn V. Deramas which received a positive critical and commercial response.

Critical success: 2001–2002
In 2001, Yan maneuvered to a different genre from leading man to be part of a comic triumvirate called Whattamen whom initially started on Gimik. In September 2001, he showed his humorist side by playing the pleasant and witty Castro in an all-male comedy sitcom, focusing in three characters on Whattamen  alongside, Dominic Ochoa, Marvin Agustin and Ai-Ai delas Alas. A restaurant possessor, who is the charming guy, is all charms and the sane one in the group. Later on the trio had a spin-off from sitcom to daily afternoon show Magandang Tanghali Bayan, where Yan was launched as one of the new hosts.

In February 2002, Yan filmed his last movie Got 2 Believe, a romantic comedy directed by Olivia Lamasan, which was a huge box office hit and received a gold record award for the official soundtrack before his death, were Yan recorded a duet, alongside Claudine Barretto as one of the theme songs, Got to Believe in Magic. Yan played Lorenz Montinola a commitment-phobic photographer whose only dream is to be an international one.

When he died, Yan had been marked to do three more motion picture films that year under his film outfit Star Cinema after his box office hit movie Got 2 Believe. He was chosen by screenwriter Ricky Lee and director Marilou Diaz-Abaya to play a lead role in the movie sequel of Moral. A major role for the play Sinta in Dulaang Sibol of Ateneo theater by Director Johnny Manahan and an addition on Fernando Poe Jr. and Judy Ann Santos movie sequel of Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko.

He had two shows, Magandang Tanghali Bayan and Whattamen airing at the time of his death.

Death and memorial
On March 29, 2002, Yan, while on a vacation during Holy Week, was found dead inside his hotel room by his friend, actor Dominic Ochoa at the Dos Palmas Resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. He died of cardiac arrest due to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis. His public wake was held in La Salle Green Hills. An estimated 10,000 people attended his last funeral rites in Metro Manila. His funeral was also televised live on ABS-CBN, countless television tributes were given to honor him. Gary Valenciano moved people to tears on his rendition of The Warrior is a Child, Yan's requested song. He was interred in Manila Memorial Park, Parañaque on April 4. Yan's burial was ranked No. 6, "List of Most Attended Funerals in Philippine History" by SPOT.

A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales of his last movie, Got 2 Believe, his documentary Forever Young: Remembering Rico, and his other movie Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita, contributed to the Rico Yan Youth Foundation.

Personal life
Fr. Tito Caluag, who was Yan's spiritual adviser before his death, disclosed that Yan 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.

Yan first dated Tricia Sandejas. From 1994 to 1997, Yan later dated actress Claudine Barretto, who was his on-screen partner beginning in 1996, when they first co-starred on Radio Romance. They broke up in 2001 of November but their separation was not announced until his sudden death.

Other endeavors
Yan was also a successful strategist entrepreneur and owned several businesses, including Orbitz Pearl Shakes, Java Hut, Buddy Burger, Timbuktu Cafe and Tequila Joe Grill and Restaurants. He had a column on Manila Bulletin titled "C'est la Vie".

In 1998, Yan was the first official youth spokesman for the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, touring the Philippines for free to promote education among youths. As well as establishing Pinoy Yan Movement, a non-profit organization that aims to make young people stay in school and value education, he assisted the Are You a Forest King? Foundation, visiting many schools to promote the importance of tree growth and was associated in various foundations and initiatives that furthered the interests of the youth and leadership formation. Yan was also the first Philippine National Red Cross Pledge 25 spokesperson in 1999.

Film and television awards
Others