Rico Yan joined the 27 club on March 29, 2002. The cause of death is recorded as: Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis
Rico Yan, born on March 14, 1975, and tragically taken away from us on March 29, 2002, was a renowned Filipino actor whose career spanned over a decade. He left an indelible mark in the Philippine showbiz industry with his charm, talent, and versatility.
Yan's early life was shaped by his military-oriented family background. Born at The Medical City in Mandaluyong, he grew up surrounded by soldiers and businessmen. His parents owned a security agency due to their military background, and Yan attended Xavier School for primary education and De La Salle Santiago Zobel School for high school. In his late teenage years, Yan was discovered by a talent scout while in line at a fast-food restaurant on the campus of De La Salle University. This encounter led to his first television commercial for Master Facial Cleanser and eventually his entry into Star Circle Batch 1, a group of eight promising talents under ABS-CBN's Star Magic.
The turning point in Yan's career came in 1996 when he played the role of Ricky Salveron in Gimik, a youth-oriented show on The Filipino Channel (TFC). Gimik followed the lives of a group of young adults living in an imaginary village and became an instant hit due to its relatability and the onscreen chemistry between Yan and Judy Ann Santos. This successful partnership continued in the television drama Mara Clara, where Yan played the role of Derrick Gonzales. In the same year, he also became a co-host on 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila, a noon-time variety show.
Yan's breakthrough period, from 1996 to 2000, saw him become a household name in Philippine entertainment. He starred in commercially successful television shows and films with pairings opposite Judy Ann Santos and Claudine Barretto. Some of his best-known films on Star Cinema include 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 their List of "The Kings of Star Cinema," a testament to his enduring popularity twelve years after his death.
Rico Yan's legacy goes beyond his acting career. He was an inspiration and role model for many young Filipinos who aspired to pursue careers in entertainment. His sudden demise at the age of 27 due to heart failure left a profound impact on the industry and his fans. In memory of Rico Yan, his talent, charm, and passion continue to live on through his work and the countless memories he left behind.