He was my Kuya. I practically grew up with him. I always look up to him. How smart he was, how funny he could get. He really took care of me. At a very young age, he was always business-minded and always smiling. We never fought. Pag nagalit siya tahimik lang. Idadaan niya sa magandang usapan. He was never violent. Pag mainit ang ulo niya sa kanya lang, hindi siya nandadamay ng tao. Everytime may out of town taping kami noon sa Gimik sa kanya ako lagi sumasabay. One time, I remember nagpatintero kami sa North Diversion Hi-way while on our way to Subic. Pag may dumaan, tumatabi kami. He was my big brother really.

-- Patrick Garcia

I first met Rico when I was invited by the now defunct "Sharon Cuneta Show" to be their guest interviewer for the movie promo of Sharon's film. I fired away questions in the panel to Sharon Cuneta, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Christopher De Leon and the "new face to watch" Rico Yan. The usual showbiz manner of answering questions would start with an "Ate" or "Tita" so I was surprised when Rico called me "Miss Carvajal." I suddenly felt like a teacher instead of a TV host. Unlike most young stars I've met, he struck me as a guy who's got something more than his good looks going for him. Instantly, you could sense that he's well-bred. It's guys like him who dispel the notion that the age of chivalry is dead. I could not help but ask myself why a "decent" guy like him would want to enter the crazy, messy world of showbiz. Other showbiz wannabes of his age are in dire need of money so they helplessly succumb to all the exploitation just to get to the top. But Rico was definitely not on a money trip. Early on, he probably had a calling to warm people's hearts and help them in any way he can. "Rico" means "rich," but in his case it was not his riches that mattered but how he enriched people's lives with his laughter, friendship and love.

-- Dolly Anne Carvajal

Rico Yan embodied the symbol of the wholesome kid, one who refused the temptation of the age, and who who never exploited the power of celebrity.

-- Senator Blas Ople

Masyadong malambing si Rico, maloko. Sasabihan ka niya ng "I love you." May drama pa siyang, "If loving you is a crime, then I'm willing to be jailed." Ganoon siya kagaling mambola. May private joke nga kami. Sabi ko sa kanya, gusto ko siyang maging manugang ng bunso kong si Sophia. Sabi niya, "I'll take care of Sophia and I'll take care of you." Napakabolero niyan. Mahilig siyang mag-make-you-feel-good. Everytime na papasok ako sa MTB sasabihin niyan, "Wow, ang ganda mo" or "Wow, ang ganda ng suot mo." Malandi yan si Rico, halik ng halik sa akin, nangangagat. Lamog na lamog ako. Very physical at very vocal siyang magpakita ng pagmamahal. Ang gusto niya, palagi relax ang mood. Nang mabalitaan ko ang pagkamatay niya, for the first time, nag-hysterical ako. Parang, anong nangyari? Bakit? Iyon ang palagi kong tinatanong.

-- Ai-Ai de las Alas

Rico Yan lived a full life but it was too short. He wore many hats which sometimes made the public wonder if they all fit. He was a dreamer and a do-gooder. He might seem like a contradiction but the way he had touched many people in the entertainment industry and how they talk about him in almost superlative terms, he impressed them most of the time as more than a co-worker but as a confidant.

-- Alex Brosas

Rico exuded that La Sallista presence that I was most familiar with. And, even then, he knew how to use his dimples and boyish veulnerability to charm his way through any situation or conversation. He was smart, eloquent and had that kind of wit that came rarely with young people who are more preoccupied with being seen rather than being truly heard. You sensed that this was not the run-of-the-mill sort of youngster who wanted to barge into showbiz for the fun and the power.

-- Director Jose Javier Reyes

Rico was one of our better young actors. Hindi lang siya basta boy-next-door good looks; he was articulate, and could andswer questions intelligently. Hindi naman ito kataka-taka dahil isa siya sa kaunting artista nating nakatapos ng kolehiyo. His good breeding showed. He was always very polite, never smart-alecky at never din siyang naging condescending kahit na nga ang ibang reporters na kausap niya asked the most stupid questions.

-- Mario Bautista

Rico's death is a very big loss to the industry. A great great great loss.

-- Sharon Cuneta

He's a comic guy. Ico ang tawag ko sa kanya. Kahit noong nasa Gimik pa lang kami, okay siyang kasama, laging nakatawa, hindi ko nakitang sumimangot. He's a lovable person, winsome ang personality niya. I remember, one time I did an interview with him sa Cover Story and I asked him kung ano 'yung hindi niya makakalimutang eksena na funny sabi niya 'yung sa kanila ni Patrick sa Gimik. May props doon na oats. Since props lang siya, masyadong malagkit ang pagkakagawa. Silang dalawa ni Patrick Garcia, kinain 'yung oats. Sa sobrang lagkit, dumikit 'yung mga ngalangala nila ni Patrick. Tawa kami ng tawa sa set. Hindi siya mareklamo sa set. Mapagmahal 'yan sa mga magulang, mapamilya siyang tao at maganda ang impluwensiya. Risk taker daw siya sabi niya sa interview ko sa kanya sa Cover Story. Sabi niya, what's the use of life kung hindi ka magte-take ng risk?

-- Jolina Magdangal

Sobra siyang lambing sa tao. Lagi ka niyang yayakapin at saka sobrang bait. Pag nasa dressing room kami, kung ano 'yung kinakain niya, isusubo niya sa iyo. Ganoon siya ka sweet. He's very gentleman.

-- Weng Sistima

He was chubby baby boy with thick black hair, an angelic look and the hint of a dimple on his fat cheeks. She (Rico's Mom) said she was going to name him Ricardo Carlos, "Ricky" for short. I was dismayed at my friend's apparent lack of creativity. Your baby does not look like a "Ricky." Call him "Rico," I strongly urged her. And she did.

-- Marily Ysip-Orosa

Sa Sang Linggo nAPO ko siya unang nakasama. First hosting job niya 'yon at medyo ninenerbyos siya dahil hindi pa niya alam ang sistema. He was asking us for advice. Nalagpasan niya lahat ng expectations namin. Lumaki na rin siya sa show namin hanggang makasama na namin siya sa MTB. He's a jolly person. He's very candid and sweet. He's a smart and sensible guy. Marami kaming bonding together kaya lang mas nakilala ko siya noong nag-abroad na ang MTB sa US at sa Japan. He knows his goals and his dreams. Feeling ko lang, ang dami niyang goals and dreams, hindi niya alam kung saan magsisimula. Ang pinanghihinayangan ko lang, kung kailan pa close na kami sa MTB as a family, saka pa siya nawala. Hindi ko matanggap na natulog lang siya at hidi na gumising. Mahirap tanggapin 'yon para sa akin. Sayang dahil ang dami pa niyang pwedeng gawin, marami pa siyang pwedeng i-sahre sa tao sa kanyang talents. He always has good words for everyone. Siya 'yon eh. He welcomes, greets people with a very warm smile and a big hug.

-- Roderick Paulate

Marami akong mami-miss kay Rico. 'Yung pagiging maharot niya, 'yung pagiging masayahin niya kapag dumating sa set, 'yung pang-aalaska niya sa amin ni Dominic. Hindi siya nahihiyang iparamdam ang pagmamahal niya kahit ano pa ang sabihin ng iba. Si Kuya Dick (Roderick Paulate) nga, sinasabihan niya ng "I love you" and I know he meant it. Noong una pinipigilan ko pa ang sarili ko (umiyak). Naisip ko kasi gusto ni Rico na laging masaya kaming magkakaibigan, ayaw nu'n ng malungkot. Sabi ko sa sarili ko kaya ko, pero nang makita ko na nga siya, hindi ko rin nakayanan talaga. Para lang siyang natutulog, halatang hindi siya nahirapan, parang natutulog lang talalga, guwapo pa rin ang kaibigan ko.

-- Marvin Agustin

I worked with him for eight months when we filmed Got to Believe and we talked about life on the set. I will always remember Rico as a perfect gentleman, intelligent, extremely witty, an enthusiastic student who was always willing to discover and learn new things. He was very very much against drugs and he took pride in not having tried drugs in any form. He was a staunch supporter of the anti-drug campaign. I will never forget that he cooked his special soup for me last Valentines day and placed it in a basket with a rose. He made my day special.

-- Director Olive Lamasan

I remember Rico as a very nice and gentle person. He would bring me pasalubong of decaf Starbucks coffee when I was pregnant with my second child. He was that thoughful. He cares for his co-worker. As a host, he learned so easy so it was so easy working with him.

-- Christine Jacob

I never met Rico. I never knew him. But I cried at his funeral as mournfully as if I had been a bossom friend. I got carried away by the sight of all the people; I was moved to tears by his untimely death, and the stories of the people whose lives he touched. I saw that he must have been a good person, and all those people must have loved him. I felt what the teeming crowd felt as this boy was laid to rest; that it was such a waste, for he was much too young to die. I was inspired to make this Commemorative Magazine because I wanted people to remember the day we stood in the blazing heat of a March day to say goodbye to a person who had accomplished so much in his short 27 years. I do not want us to forget how his death shook us all awake; how it compelled us to examine our own lives as ask ourselves whether we would be ready, if the Lord were to take us too, without warning on a still Friday night. Rico knew what his life's mission was, and that was to lead and serve the Filipino youth - to teach them to make something out of themselves through hard work and perseverance.

-- Jhoey Hernandez

A greater majority, I found, was also in someway deeply affected by the young actor's early demise. Like me, these people did not know Rico Yan personally yet, suddenly, like thousands of others, we found ourselves glued to the television this past week, shedding tears, weeping with his family at the seemingly untimely demise of this young prince. Perhaps in the world fraught with much hatred, intrigue and ugliness, Rico's death had come to represent the loss of dreams, innocence and love. Rico, now larger than life, was everybody's friend, son, brother or grandson.

-- Cathy Babao-Guballa

Rico's death deserves all the media attention. Rico was more than a matinee idol. He was and will continue to be an inspiration especially to this present generation. He was one of the few actors who strove hard to get a degree even if he was earning more than what he needed. Other actors would consider education a hindrance to their showbiz careers. He invested his hard-earned money at a young age and became a young entrepreneur. He founded the Pinoy Yan! Foundation which is for the Filipino youth. Others would have spent their earnings on material things, booze drugs, etc. Even thoughhe belonged to a prominent family, Rico made a name for himself whith all humility and without the help of grandfather Ambassador Yan and his uncle, Metro Manila police chief Director Edgardo Aglipay. Others would be abusive, superior, arrogant and conceited about their political connections. Rico was an empowered, enlightened, value-driven, productive, helpful, generous and dedicated fellow. Let me reiterate once more his death deserves all the media attention. In fact, Rico is a symbol of what a Filipino youth should be. He should be remembered forever and his is a story that should be continually told.

-- Salma Tamano-Marohombsar

We started together in showbusiness and he was always there for me. He's very maasikaso, dedicated to his craft at very professional. He's so full of energy. He's very intelligent. Humiram pa siya sa akin ng baby oil noonmagtaping kami ng Lenten Special sa Bataan. Gusto daw niya mangitim kasi minsan lang daw sa isang taon siya magpa-itim. Makulit siya but he's a gentleman. I ws supposed to ride with him in his car pauwi from Bataan kasi umalis 'yung driver ko kaya lang may important appointment siya. Nakisabay na lang ako kay Marvin but he saw to it na may masasakyan ako. He was that gentleman. When I came back to Talent Center,s abi niya sa akin, "Welcome back." He gave me a sense of security at ang sabi niya, I should do my best this timesa aking pag-comeback. Nagbalik 'yung dating friendship namin kaagad.

-- Regine Tolentino

Doon sa taping namin sa Fontana two weeks ago sabi ko sa kanya, pwede ba ako umangkas sa jetski kasi hindi pa ako nakakasakay ng jetski. Sabi niya, okay at nag jetski kami. Hindi niya alam na hindi ako marunong lumangoy. Hindi ko sinabi. Eh tumaob kami. Doon ko sinabi na hindi ako marunong lumangoy. Tinuruan niya ako lumangoy right there and then. Sabi niya sa akin relax lang daw ako hanggang makarating kami ng shore. The way he thinks, napakaintelehente niya.

-- Gary Lim

Sobrang bait niya, sweet, thoughtful at gentleman. Hindi mo siya aalagaan. Noong Monday nga, nagpasama siya sa akin na magshopping kasi ng pupunta daw siya sa Dos Palmas. We were together the whole day. First, we went to Glorietta at doon sila nagkita nina Dominic at Janna. Then we went to Rockwell. Doon na siya nakapamili, shorts, swimming trunks, diver's watch, slippers, pati 'yung favorite niyang Japanese soy sauce. Once he cried sa akin pero pero hindi siya nagsalita. He's always malambing.

-- Kate Dolino

Siya 'yung taong hindi nakakalimutang banggitin ang pangalan ko kapag nakalimutang banggitin ng voice-over announcer. Palagi niyang hinahabol 'yung pangalan ko (sob). Lately nga, nagpapasama siyang mag-shopping. Sabi ko hindi pwede. Tapos 'yon na nga, nawala na siya (cry).

-- Angela Velez

It is still very hard to accept that Rico is gone. It was 10 years ago when we met this guy walking (or should I say bouncing!) with that unforgettable smile around the campus of De La Salle University. For all these years, Rico has managed to touch our lives in different ways: he was always there for us to give his support; shared his unique and undying ideas; expressed his positive outlook in life and sometimes just hung out with you para "mang-asar" and "mangulit." Rico is a true friend, a brother, a gentleman bred from good education. It makes us proud to know him and that once in this lifetime we were able to be with him and share some memorable times with him. It makes us wonder how he did it graduating form College, becoming a matinee idol, a successful businesman, and sharing his life with others all at the same time. But he did it! Rico proved that a lot can be done if we just put our hearts into it... and this is why he has done so much in such a short span of time; 'coz he had a heart and he gave all that he could to everyone around him.

-- Bodge Calica

We met at Cafe Ysabel. It didn't feel like an interview, because we ended up talking about what seemed like every topic known to man. I felt like I was hanging out with a friend. I remember he asked if I wanted wine. And the girl who never drank more than a sip from her mom before said, "Yes, I'll have wine with dinner." He bought the entire bottle. I remember being thrilled. After dinner, he then asked me if I wanted coffee. And the girl who used to tell anyone who would listen that she hated hot drinks said, "Oh yes, coffee would be wonderful." It felt like a real date. I thought, I'm being paid to do this?

-- Paulynn P. Sicam

Malalim magsalita si Rico, para siyang si Ate Helen Vela. Mahilig siyang magbigay ng advice. If you know him, alam mo kung masaya siya o malungkot. Kita kaagad sa mga mata niya. Ang alam ko lang eh gusto niyang magkaroon ng malawak na business at 'yung kaniyang foundation mapalaki niya. We both understood each other and we both know na kahit hindi kami madalas mag-usap, alam na namin na okay pa rin kami. Saka si Rico kasi is the type na alam mong sincere siya like 'pag ngumiti siya, alam mong totoo 'yon, so medyo mahirap siyang kalimutan."

-- Judy Ann Santos

I like the fact that he was a boy-next-door with dimples and boyish grin. He was very clean cut -- he didn't need a bad boy image or huge muscles to win hearts. He wasn't pa-cute at all. I always viewed him as down-to-earth guy. I remember one of his commercials some years ago, where two girls were rating boys using cookies. When it came to Rico Yan they decided he was worth nothing less than one whole box of cookies.

-- Monique Buensalido

I met Rico three times during the promo activities of his last movie. I must say that he impressed mke with his charm, intelligence and candidness. He stated that he was very glad that Boby's career had taken off since he joined Alas Singko Y Medya as one of it's host. Bobby proudly admitted that, although he could beat Rico in basketball, he could never do that in table tennis.

-- Cecille Matutina

The thing that stikes me about this guy is that he really didn't have to accomplish all that much. But merely being a matinee idol, he got it made and he was assured of a good fortune. But he didn't stop there. He became a spokesperson of the Department of Education. He put up a foundation and got involved in business. I found that admirable. Normally, for a lot of successful showbiz guys, if things are going so well in their career, they have a tendency to sit back, relax, and enjoy the good life. Success equals wine, women, song and drugs. Even here, there are so many who could have been something but flushed their life down the toilet with an excessive lifestyle.

-- Rod Nepomuceno

I had the opportunity to work with Rico last year in a mini-series entitle Detour, directed by Chito Rono. He played an eccentric rich young man who was dying. I could only wonder what discomfort he suffered wearing all those prosthetics. And this was during the summer in Pampanga, where the temperature was 38 degrees. But being the professional thespian that he was, he did his job without a single complaint and gave a profound depiction of his character.

-- Ian Galliguez

Mahilig siyang makipagharutan. Maharot siya. Pag katabi ko, lundag ng lundag. Ako nga ang sumusuko. Minsan tinalunan niya ako. Eh may slip disc ako noon. Sa halip na magalit ako, natuwa pa ako kasi para siyang bata. Malambing siyang bata. Nakita ko 'yung generosity niya nang minsang magbigay siya ng tigsasampung t-shirts kay Bentong at Gary. Pagsinabi niya, ginagawa niya. Sobra siyang mapagbigay.

-- Bayani Agbayani

I worked with him in the movie Ina, Ama, Anak in 1995. I remember it was one of his first movies and he was a graduating student at De La Salle. At that time, sabi niya sa akin, "Tita Boots, nahihirapan na po ako." I was telling him na pagtiyagaan na niya kasi it's important na may fallback siya. Even at that time already, he was dreaming to help uplift the standard of the youth. At that time din, kinakausap na siya ng DECS to help promote proper education and good values. He was very excited about the project. Ang dream nga niya is to become a positive influence to the youth. I think that dream was fulfilled by the fact that his death gave a greater impact to the youth. it marks the fulfillment of his dream to be a role model. He was a value leader from the beginning. He's a bright young man, a refreshing addition to the industry. Pinagtiyagaan niya talagang tapusin 'yung course niya. He was a stand-out among the youthful members of the industry. Makikita mo yung refinements niya. You cannot put that on. You can't fake breeding. He was very articulate about the way he looked up to his lolo, General Yan na respetadong-respetado.

-- Boots Anson-Roa

He makes sure that everything is always alright. Kapamilya ang turing niya palagi sa iyo. He would call me "Nikki Baby." He would treat me like ayounger sister. Noong nanakawan ako ng van, tumawag siya sa akin. Sabi niya, "Huwag ka mahihiya na humingi ng tulong. Hindi ka naman iba sa amin. Bayaan mo, tutulungan kita sa van mong nawala."

-- Nikki Valdez

I was really really shock to encounter the news of Rico Yan's death. I have been here in Australia for years but I have fond memories of Rico. My best memory of him was when my whole family got together one lunch time and watch a show Rico came on stage and danced Macarena, he was a really really bad dancer, he made us laughed but we thought he was absolutely adorable and nice. My mum asked "Who the hell is that?" (while laughing) After we introduced her to Rico, she would keep watching the show almost every lunch time just to see if they have Rico Yan again as guest. She adored Rico and so did we. I will never forget him and God bless his soul.

-- Jennifer Bernate

I treat Rico as my brother, he was my true friend.

-- Dominic Ochoa

Alam ko kung gaano kasakit ang pagkawala niya pero kailangan din nating tanggapin na pahiram lang siya ng Diyos sa atin, lalung-lalo na sa mga magulang at kapatid niya. Hanggang ngayon ang sugat sa puso ko ay di naghihilom. There are times na naaalala ko siya tulad na lang ng mga TV shows na dati ay kasama siya. Meron din akong copy ng Forever Young video niya. Ewan ko kung bakit di ko siya makakalimutan. Siguro kasi iba siya sa lahat ng artista na nakilala ko. Sobrang bait niya.

-- Beverly Ann Gannaban

I didn't have to be a close friend to know what kind of person he was. He was friendly, kind, intelligent and a perfect gentleman and it took me only one conversation to realize that.

-- Heart Evangelista

Very supportive siya sa akin simula ng makasama ko siya sa Mula Sa Puso. Noong mag-guest ako sa MTB to promote 'yung movie namin na Batang Lansangan, nakita ko kung gaano siya ka-proud sa akin. Niyakap niya ako. Sexy daddy ang tawag ko sa kanya. Lagi niya akong sinasabihan na maging good girl palagi at huwag lalaki ang ulo. Once he gave me a silvana at naging favorite na anmin iyon ng ate ko at mga classmates ko. Masayahin siyang tao. Siya 'yung nakakamiss kasi sobra siyang lambing.

-- Shaina Magdayao

After I directed Saturday MTB and Kris Aquino's Game KNB? Dumaan ako saglit sa MTB studio sa labas ng Studio 3. Suddenly, may nag-grab sa akin from behind and binuhat ako at ang sabi, "idol, idol." Nagulat ako. 'Yun pala si Rico 'yon. Nakita ko, may kainan sa labas. Sabi ko, "Wow okay, 'to ah, may handaan. Sabi ko, sinong may birthday? Nagulat na lang ako nang mabasa ko 'yung streamer Happy Birthday Rico Yan." Hiyang-hiya talaga ako. Sabi ko kay Rico, "Sorry, sorry." This was just last month. One time, during the Fontana episode, tinanong ako ni Rico kung isasama ko raw 'yung family ko especially 'yung baby ko na si Kobi. Sabi ko oo. Sabi niya, "So where are you going?" Sabi ko magca -casino." Sabi niya, okay sagot ko na ang mga bata. I'll treat them na lang." Tapos sabi niya sa gabi, dumaan daw ako sa villa niya, bonding daw kami.

-- Director Bobet Vidanes

I can not forget his dimples. They're so cute. I've observed na happy siya palagi. I guested in Whattamen and I remember, napakaamo ng mukha niya, one of the most maamo na nakita ko.

-- Joyce Jimenez

"Rico, I have come to believe that God will sanctify us and use us to sanctify the world through the pain and woundedness we have gone through and not so much through our talents." Then you paused, looked at me and said, "That is so true father! If only we can teach that to others. That was what the play (Sinta) was all about." Rico died a happy man believing in God. When the soul discovers its mission, sometimes it decides to cross to the other side when it realizes that it would be able to do more to achieve its mission from the life beyond.

-- Fr. Carmelo Caluag

Hindi namin malilimutan ang mga panahong pinagsamahan namin ni Rico simula nu'ng mag-umpisa siya sa showbiz. Ang mga pang-aasar niya sa amin. ang mga biro niya. Hindi rin namin malilimutan ang mga matatamis niyang ngiti, lalu na kapag lumalabas na ang kaniyang cute na dimple. Hindi siya katulad ng iba na kailangan pang i-publicize ang mga magagandang bagay na ginawa niya. Nito nga lang namatay siya saka namin nalaman na marami pala siyang natulungan. Parang buhay na buhay pa rin siya. Parang natutulog lang ang itsura niya ng silipin namin siya. Ang guwapo-guwapo pa rin niya. At ang itsura niyang 'yon ay mananatili sa aming isipan. Na minsan, meron isang guwapong binata na hindi ipinagdamot ang kaniyang buhay sa publiko. Ni hindi kami pinahindian tuwing gusto namin siyang interviewhin. Na may isang Rico Yan ang showbiz na hindi-hindi namin malilimutan.

-- Leo Bukas

When we last saw him last Saturday on MTB, Rico was full of life as ever, giving no hint at all if he was bothered by his break-up with Claudine. There he was, as usual, frolicking in the pool with Marvin and Dominic and the rest of the MTB Gang in a summer special, lighting up the small scene with his boyishly be dimpled smile that had endeared him to 72-million-plus Filipinos. Who would have thought that would be the last time televiewers were seeing Rico alive? Being a nature lover, Rico said he'd rather shoot (photograph) eagles in flight and beautiful scenery than shoot nudes. "It's not my cup of tea. I don't appreciate nudes, they don't excite me at all. I love to fly, that's why I'm fascinated by eagles in flight and planes, too," he said. Wherever he may be now, I'm sure Rico is flying not only with eagles but also with angels in a forever land where there are no intrigues, no controversies, no cares, no worries, no pain and suffering but only eternal peace and hapiness.

-- Ricky Lo

RICO YAN CHAMBER THE REALM OF THE CITADEL MAIN HALL

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws