Another trend has surfaced on the world wide web as some Filipino social media users have been sharing videos of them visiting the late 90s actor Rico Yan’s grave as if it’s a tourist destination.
One video that went viral on TikTok has caught people’s attention, as it shows him walking around the actor’s grave and placing his hand on the nameplate.
@trendingchikaph HAHAHAHHAHAHA BAKIT GINAWA NIYONG TOURIST SPOT SI RICO YAN??? #fyp #ricoyan #claudinebarretto ♬ original sound – Mikhaela Janna Jimenea Lim
As of this writing, the original video can no longer be found as the original user went to make his account private. However, other users reposted it on the platform.
Some social media users are expressing disappointment with the actions of some of the people who visited Yan’s grave, making it seem like they are just doing this for clout. Many took to social media to share their thoughts.
One user wrote, “Rico Yan’s grave is for everyone to visit, but please, please, have decency and stop being too much of a fan. His grave is also considered his personal space. Have some respect, people.”
Another user wrote, “FOR ONCE LEAVE RICO YAN’S GRAVE ALONE!! LET HIM REST!! Okay, oo na. Ini-idolize nyo siya dahil sa mga pelikula niya or video clips sa socmed. Pero please naman, ang lala nung dinudumog na yung puntod niya. Hindi na siya magandam, guys. Tigil nyo yan [Okay, yes. You idolize him because of his films or video clips from social media. But please, visiting his grave is too much. It’s not nice, guys. Stop this].”
“I don’t see anything wrong with visiting rico yan’s grave. If I was a fan, i’d want to grieve and pay respects din personally (if the family allows) HOWEVER with all these people filming and using his grave for clout + posting it on tiktok, yan ang walang respeto [that’s disrespectful] + i don’t see it as genuinely grieving and paying respects to him. Let him rest peacefully on his resting place if yall would just disrespect him. Ang babastos niyo na eh [You’re becoming rude already], as written by another user.
Many people have been noticing the engagements on posts about Rico Yan, with some even posting AI-generated pictures of him and printing photocards.
Ang lala ng likes at engagements kay Rico Yan lately sa tiktok. Pati Gen Z, involved. Nakakaloka. pic.twitter.com/hx0d0TtyDb
— Auntie Selina (@auntieselinamo) July 3, 2024
Many social media users are condemning the trend, considering it as a “disturbing” form of obssession in the digital age.
This gen's obsession with Rico Yan needs to be studied. Let him rest be fcking serious ang ooa na. pic.twitter.com/iNfQSK9lTh
— 𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚡 ⑰ #FranklySpeaking (@kdramaramapop20) July 7, 2024
Meanwhile, some just found humor in the trend.
Rico Yan rose to fame in the late 90s, known for his roles in “Mula sa Puso,” “Got 2 Believe,” and “Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita.” The actor passed away on March 29, 2002.
The origins of the said trend have yet to be traced, but there are speculations that there is an uptick in interest in the late actor following the emergence of his filmography on social media sites like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), prompting more people to visit his grave.
Admiring the artist and his work is one thing, but visiting and hugging his grave is a bit… weird, don’t you think?
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