Dominic Ochoa pays tribute to Rico Yan, sets record straight

MANILA, Philippines — After 24 years, actor Dominic Ochoa remembers the day his close friend Rico Yan passed away.

The actor passed away on March 29, 2002 (Holy Week) at the age of 27 while vacationing at Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan.

In an interview with GMA’s “Kay Susan Tayo! Vlogs,” Dominic clarified the misinformation that has been spreading about his friend’s death.

Dominic said that he had other plans that time but Rico suddenly invited him to go on vacation to Palawan since he wanted to be with his friends during Holy Week. Rico himself bought the plane tickets and paid for all their expenses.

Dominic said that he also agreed to come along to comfort Rico, who was going through a breakup with Claudine Barretto.

He said that another friend of theirs, Marvin Agustin, was not with them at that time due to personal reasons.

“We had a few drinks. He drank, definitely. He was depressed,” Dominic said.

“I remember going home, going back to the villa. Sinabi niya na, ‘This is the best day of my life. Puwede na ‘kong mamatay…’

“We didn’t take it seriously because, I mean… meron kasi siyang ano, he has sleep apnea. Kaya siya sa loft nu’ng time na 'yun dahil malakas siya humilik.”

Dominic continued that they talked about going to a resort owned by Rico's friend to try water sports there.

“So, ako yung gumising sa kanya sa taas. Nasa loft siya, e. Bababa kami noong isa naming kaibigan, 10 in the morning kami, susunduin ng speedboat, e.

“So, when I woke up at 9:45 a.m. and we tried to wake him up, he was, ano na, well, to go straight to the point, Rico passed. When I tried waking him up, wala na.

“Parang 2:20 a.m. narinig ko pa siya, e. Bumalik kami ng villa mga around 2 a.m., e. Parang sabi nu’ng doctor, 5 a.m. doon siya nalagutan ng hininga.”

According to those who looked at Rico's remains, the actor died of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, or sudden inflammation of the pancreas.

Following this, Dominic clarified the misinformation regarding his friend's sudden passing.

“I’d like to take this opportunity also to… siyempre 'yung mga ganyan, they’ll speculate that we took something. We never take anything, especially si Rico. He’s just… he loved the person. Minsan ang nagiging cause is not the real cause of the problem. It’s the people around. 'Yung hearsay, Dominic said.

“So, I must say, it’s part of it. 'Yung mga lumabas na isinulat,” he added.

Dominic is not only referring to the news that Rico allegedly overdosed on drugs because of his breakup with Claudine.

“Medyo nakakasama ng loob din 'yun. 'Yun 'yung tinatawag na hindi pa uso ang fake news, may fake news na. 'Yung may mga nagsasabing nananakit siya, he’s not the type. I’m not the type too. Kabilin-bilinan ko 'yun sa anak ko, never manakit ng babae, magbuhat ng kamay," Dominic said.

“Si Lord na ang bahala. I mean, di ba? I’m not here to point fingers or ano. Whoever naglabas ng mga sinasabi niyo about him, na nanggugulpi, na he’s taking drugs, it’s not true. Makunsensiya naman kayo sa sarili niyo," he added.

Dominic reminded the public to be mindful of their words.

“The main purpose of this interview is not his death anniversary but maybe to remind the people to be careful with the words that you say or you post because it can be deadly. Iba, marami ang nagsasabi. Real faith, you have to be careful with the words that you use even to your family," Dominic said.

“So, amin lang naman, never mind, I mean, we know what really happened and we can sleep up to now na maayos. I mean, we’re at peace,” he added.

Dominic said it took him three years to move on from Rico's loss.

“We have to move on and accept. And He has a reason why it happened. It makes us stronger as a person, more mature to accept things, 'di ba? But I hope other people will also learn out of it. He touched a lot of people and siguro, it took a life to touch other people’s lives,” he said.

“When I feel that I need to talk to someone, I go to Manila Memorial. But I don’t take videos. I just go pray. I just go talk to him. It’s an intimate relationship with a best friend," he added.

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