Claudine Barreto - Rico Yan

From WikiPilipinas: The Hip 'n Free Philippine Encyclopedia

Claudine Barreto and Rico Yan are both Star Magic talents. Claudine and Rico starred in one of ABS-CBN's most successful soap operas that showcased powerhouse casting, Mula Sa Puso. It was the Philippines' most watched Teleserye in primetime TV from 1997 to 1999. Having an average of 51% rating (national) per week, it was considered as one of the most loved drama stories Filipinos ever watched. ABS-CBN's Star Cinema even made a self-titled movie out of it.

Their onscreen romance soon became an offscreen relationship. They got engaged and were scheduled to get married in December 2002. Come March the following year, the public witnessed their so-called "lover's quarrel" which ended with their break-up during Rico Yan's birthday (March 14).

The public was startled, and grief embraced the whole nation when news broke that Rico Yan died on the morning of March 29, 2003 at the age of 27. He died at the Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan while he was on a Holy Week vacation with his five friends including Dominic Ochoa, a fellow actor.

Claudine was devastated with the news. She was sedated and even hospitalized after learning about the death of her long-time boyfriend.

They co-starred in several movies and TV series such as Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita (1998) and Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999).

Got to Believe in Magic was the last hit movie that they starred in together.