Dominic Ochoa recalls final moments with Rico Yan

March 31 ------ Kapamilya actor Dominic Ochoa recalled the final moments he spent with actor Rico Yan prior to the latter’s death. In an interview with veteran journalist Susan Enriquez, he shared how he knows that his best friend is already at peace. Rico passed away on March 29, 2002 while he was on a vacation in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Dominic shared how they had a gig prior to the late actor inviting them to go to Palawan for the Holy Week break. The actor shared how Rico was affected by the news that was circulating about him back then. “To cut the long story short, there was a breakup that happened and Rico just wanted to go out of town. He bought tickets for everyone even without asking us kung sasama kami o hindi–– obligado kaming samahan [siya],” he recalled. He then recalled how their trip went–– doing several activities at the day and having a few drinks. “We had a few drinks–– he drank, definitely. He was depressed. I remember going home, going back to the villa, sinabi niya na ‘this is the best day of my life, pwede na ako’,” Dominic shared.

Not taking his comment seriously, Dominic shared how they slept it off when they arrived at their villa at 2 in the morning. He noted that he slept separately as Rico snores in his sleep and he was a light sleeper. It was in the morning when he found the lifeless body of his best friend. He even tried waking him up as they were supposed to do some water sports activity on another island. “When I woke up at 9:45 and tried to wake him up, oops, he was, well to go straight to the point, Rico passed,” he said.

The doctor then told them that Rico had passed hours before Dominic even tried to wake him up. “Parang ang sabi ng doctor, 5 am dun siya nalagutan ng hininga,” he remembered. It was after Rico's death that Dominic also realized how he was placed in the situation by his faith to accompany his friend in his last hours. “I always believed na nilagay kami ng Diyos sa tamang lugar para samahan ‘yung tao,” he maintained.

While it may have happened 24 years ago, Dominic reminded everyone to be careful of the words they put out. Rumors about drug overdose were quickly denied by the actor as he asserted none of them would ever do it. “I mean, we know what really happened and we can sleep until now ng maayos. We’re at peace–– he’s at peace. I have a feeling he’s better off na andoon kesa nakabalik kami dito and he’ll face whatever,” he shared. “We have to be careful. It’s always a lesson na words can really affect people so please be careful with the words na bibitawan natin. Kahit lang ‘yung news na he took something, come on guys, we’re mourning–– namatayan kami ng tao tapos gagawa kayo ng istorya? Na very detailed parang hindi na namin pinatulan eh,” he added. “I will never change my statement because it’s the truth and God knows that. I can look at everyone straight in your eyes and He knows that,” he ended.

Apart from recalling the unfortunate event that happened 24 years ago, Dominic shared some of the moments he had with Rico’s family and how he still visits the late actor’s resting place in Manila Memorial Park.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com