Actor Dominic Ochoa has shared emotional details about the passing of his close friend Rico Yan, 24 years after the latter’s death, while also addressing long-standing misinformation surrounding the tragedy.

Rico Yan died on March 29, 2002, during Holy Week, at the age of 27 while on vacation at Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan.

In an interview with ‘Kay Susan Tayo! Vlogs’, Ochoa recounted that Yan personally invited him to join the trip, even covering their expenses, as he wanted to spend time with friends during a difficult period following his breakup with Claudine Barretto.

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

He also recalled their final conversation that night.

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

According to Ochoa, they did not initially take the statement seriously, noting that Yan had sleep apnea and was resting in the loft area due to his loud snoring.

The following morning, Ochoa discovered that his friend had already passed away.

“So, when I woke up at 9:45 a.m. and we’ll try 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,” he said.

He added that doctors later estimated Yan died around 5 a.m.

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

Yan’s cause of death was identified as acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas.

Ochoa also took the opportunity to refute rumors that have circulated over the years, including allegations of drug use and abuse.

“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 said.

He further emphasized, “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.”

The actor stressed the importance of being responsible with words, especially in the age of misinformation.

“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,” Ochoa said.

Despite the years that have passed, Ochoa admitted that coping with Yan’s death was not easy, sharing that it took him three years to move forward.

“We have to move on and accept. And He has a reason why it happened… it makes us stronger as a person,” he said.

He added that he continues to honor his friend’s memory through quiet visits.

“When I feel that I need to talk to someone, I go to Manila Memorial… I just go pray. I just go talk to him. It’s an intimate relationship with a best friend.”

Yan remains one of the most beloved figures in Philippine showbiz, with thousands attending his funeral at the time, a testament to the impact he left on fans and colleagues alike.