Ricardo Carlos Castro Yan (March 14, 1975 – March 29, 2002) was a Filipino matinee idol, model, actor and entrepreneur. Born in Medical City, Manila, Philippines. He grew up in a family of soldiers and business men that's why Yan was also a successful strategist entrepreneur having owned several businesses before his death like Orbits Pearl Shakes, Java Hut, Buddy Burger, Timbuktu Cafe and Tequila Joe Grill and Restaurants. He was under an exclusive contract in the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network and was one of the original members of Talent Center Batch 1 now Star Magic in November 1995. He was the first Philippine National Red Cross Pledge 25 Spokesperson in 1999. And was the first Youth Spokesman for the Department of Education, 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.Yan started as commercial model and then became an actor. He was discovered while falling in line in one of the fast food in his school De La Salle University when a talent scout asked him if he wanted to be a commercial model. Though surprised, Yan auditioned and got the part of his first television commercial debut for Master Facial Cleanser: Sikreto ng mga Gwapo (Secret of the Good Looking) ad in 1995. Did several television and movie parts, Yan became a household name when he played Ricky Salveron in Gimik and Gabriel Maglayon in Mula Sa Puso. He had then spawned highly rated television series, among these are Gimik (1996), Mula Sa Puso (1997), Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999), Magandang Tanghali Bayan (2001) and Whattamen (2001). And movies in Star Cinema like Paano Ang Puso Ko? (1997), Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay (1997), Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita (1997), Gimik: The Reunion (1999) and Got 2 Believe (2002). Yan starred in communically successful television and films with pairings opposite Judy Ann Santos and Claudine Barretto.Yan graduated from De La Salle University, with a degree in Marketing Management (1997). He attended elementary education in Xavier School.He had a column in Manila Bulletin entitled Boys to Men.
His first and last films were with then real-and-reel partner Claudine Barretto.
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Part of the proceeds from the sale of his last movie Got 2 Believe (2002) went to the Rico Yan Youth Foundation.
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The night before he died, Rico sang 'Got to Believe' and 'Falling For You'. Both songs were featured in his last movie, Got 2 Believe (2002).
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During his burial, confetti rained on the car containing his body. That event happened only one other time in the history of the Philippines and that was when national hero, Benigno Aquino was to be buried. About close to 10,000 people attended his funeral.
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Opened coffee shop Timbuktu and the restaurant Java Hut.
Rico also established "Pinoy 'Yan!" a non-profit organization that aims to make young people stay in school and value education
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Toured the Philippines for free to promote education among youths.
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Was a Youth Spokesman for the Education Department before he died.
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Died of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, more popularly known as bangungot in Tagalog, early Good Friday morning while on Holy Week vacation at Dos Palmas Resort, which became infamous for being the site of Abu Sayyaf kidnappings in early 2001, with his family and close friends.
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Attended college at De la Salle University, Manila, Philippines. He graduated with a degree in Business Management.
$1.7 Million
