We've seen trends come and go. Some make their comebacks like Italian charm bracelets, jorts, or even cardigans—mostly fashion mania, right? But when someone who has passed away decades ago becomes an actual trend today? Color us curious.
It sounds crazy but if you're not yet up to speed with what's happening, we're here to tell you that the late Rico Yan has become a trend. For the record, in the age of social media, anyone can make a cute dance challenge or a viral video and it could make or break it online. So, with Rico Yan's videos, there was the factor of nostalgia that kept it interesting for people, especially TikTok users.
Rico Yan's Storied Career
Rico, who began his career as a commercial model, rose to fame for his boyish charm and his million-dollar smile that matched his perfectly sculpted dimples. He slowly entered the entertainment industry and got paired with Judy Ann Santos. They did several shows together including the youth-oriented show Gimik and the iconic teleserye, Mara Clara.
His fame intensified when he was given the chance to star alongside Claudine Barretto for another breakthrough series, Mula Sa Puso. It would also be the start of their on- and off-cam romance.
Romance aside, Rico is deemed to be one of the most successful actors in the industry, especially with the short run he had in showbiz. He was one of the most sought-after stars in the late '90s before his sudden demise in 2002. And now, Rico is once again an emerging trend.
The Rico Yan Trend
But we're hoping Rico Yan isn't just a trend. Well, at least, for cinephiles, Rico is seen as that mellow actor who gave the most interesting takes in rom-com movies. ICYDK, Rico has a rich list of blockbuster movies that defined the meaning of romance in the '90s. To name a few, we adore Got 2 Believe, Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita, and Radio Romance.
READ MORE: 10 *Kilig* Rico Yan Movies You Should Be Watching Right Now
With the digital restoration of films these days, younger generations can consume Rico Yan's content online and appreciate his craft to the fullest. We've seen reaction videos to his famous lines and even just his casual smile shots—and yes, it was fulfilling to watch even in this day and age. There are also videos where fans even make photo cards or fanmade kits of Rico as if he was a K-pop idol.
So yeah, at least we're looking for people to put some premium into his memories. However, the trend might have blown out of proportion. Some fans have been flocking to Rico's grave and made it into a video challenge. They film themselves "hugging" the grave as if to express their love for the late actor. Later on, they caption their posts by saying that his grave is now a "tourist spot."
It got to the point that actress Jessy Mendiola actually aired her sentiments about the trend over on her Instagram story—and she was not a bit happy about it. She wrote while sharing an article about Rico Yan, "Wala na ba magawang matino ang mga social media addicts? Konting respeto naman sa namayapa na at pati na rin sa pamilya ng yumaong. Susme. Lahat na lang ba para sa likes, followers and views? Nakalimutan na yata ng mga tao ang salitang ‘respeto.’ Wala nang decency."
We can't look past the fact that there may be diehard fans who still visit his grave from time to time and pay their respects. But there are others who have uploaded so-called "reviews" when they visit the actor's grave. It's as if to stir some humor into the whole trend. Hard truth: not everyone sees it as pleasant content. If anything, it's disrespectful.
To be honest, there's really nothing wrong with Rico Yan being a trend in itself. But Rico's virality decades after his death should be about remembering him and his craft as an actor. He's a person with family and friends who hold his memories in the highest regard. Using him as content to gain likes and followers seems inconsiderate, to say the least.
So, if you're doing the trend solely to join the bandwagon and gain the clout you need for your social media accounts, then you might have to rethink joining the Rico Yan trend. You can chase all the clout you want, but remember to be decent human beings first. :)
