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Kapuso actor Dominic Ochoa opened up about the final moments he shared with the late Rico Yan in an emotional interview with Susan Enriquez on the YouTube vlog Kay Susan Tayo, as the industry marks Rico's 24th death anniversary on March 29.

Rico passed away on March 29, 2002, at the age of 27 due to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

Recalling the events leading up to their trip, Dominic shared, “To cut long story short, there was a breakup that happened and then Rico just wanted to go out of town and he bought tickets for everyone, even without asking us kung sasama kami o hindi. But I always believe nilagay kami ng Diyos sa tamang lugar para samahan 'yung tao.”

“Nilagay tayo doon ng Diyos to accompany the guy and medyo malalim 'yung pinagdadaanan niya nung time na 'yun,” he added.

The night before Rico's passing, Dominic said they spent time together along with their friends, including Marvin Agustin.

“The night before his passing, Dominic and the rest of their group including Marvin Agustin and Rico Yan had dinner and drinks. "We had a few drinks. He [Rico] drank definitely. He was depressed. I remember going home back to the villa, sinabi niya na 'This is the best day of my life. Pwede na akong...'” Dominic recalled, trailing off.

He admitted that at the time, they did not see it as a warning. “We didn't take it seriously.”

Dominic also revealed that Rico had sleep apnea, which was why he chose to sleep separately that night.

“He has sleep apnea, he snores, kaya siya nasa loft 'eh. Kaya siya nasa loft nung time na 'yun, kasi malakas siya mag-snore.”

The following morning, Dominic recounted how he discovered what had happened.

“Ako 'yung gumising, 9:45 a.m., 10 a.m. kami susunduin ng speed boat 'eh. When I tried to wake him up. He was...to go straight to the point, Rico passed. When I tried waking him up, wala na.”

“Bumalik kami [ng villa] around 2 a.m. eh tapos sabi ng doktor parang 5 a.m. doon siya nalagutan ng hininga,” he added.

He also noted that no one heard anything unusual that night. “Parang tulog na rin kaming lahat, it was a long day.”

During the interview, Dominic took the opportunity to address long-standing rumors that surfaced after Rico's death.

“I'd like to take this opportunity also...syempre 'yung mga ganito may speculation eh. We never take anything, especially si Rico.”

He also emphasized that Rico was not the type to hurt others. “He's not that type. I'm not that type too. Bilin ko 'yan sa anak ko, na never manakit ng babae, never magbuhat ng kamay. So, hindi kami 'yung tipong mananakit ng tao. Babae man or iba.”

Dominic stressed that the purpose of his interview goes beyond commemorating his friend's death anniversary.

“The main purpose of this interview is not his death anniversary, but to remind people to be careful of the words that you say or you post because it can be deadly.”

“Words can really affect people, so be careful sa mga words na binibitawan po natin,” he said, adding, “We know what really happened, and we can sleep at night at peace.”

Despite everything, Dominic shared that he has come to terms with the past, saying, “I wanna let it pass.”

He also fondly recalled the dreams they once shared for the future.

“Andun 'yung usapan na kapag nagkapamilya tayo, during our free time we'll build a house. Kasi kapag bumili ka ng boat medyo mabigat e so kailangan may kahati pa kahit sa depreciation niya.”

“Ganun na 'yung plano namin, hindi namin niyayabang 'yun pero may mga pangarap kami sa buhay na 'Pagtanda natin gusto natin mag-re-relax tayo kasama ang pamilya sa beach lang tayo. Umabot na sa 'yung plano namin sa buhay, we're thinking of five, ten years in the future,” he added.

He then left a simple but heartfelt message for his late friend: “Well, I just want to keep it simple. We miss you, bro. Yun lang. We miss you. Yun lang. I mean, um hindi naman kailangang mahabain yun. Alam ng tao yun. Oo. Alam ng tao yun.”

Dominic also said he still honors Rico's memory but he chooses to do it privately. "I don't want people to think na we're using him pa. When I feel that I need to talk to someone, I go to Manila Memorial. I don't take videos. I just go pray, I just go talk to him. It's an intimate relationship, with a best friend."

He shared that even if it has been three to four years since he last visited Rico's grave, it does not diminish the depth of their friendship, emphasizing that remembrance isn't defined by public posts but by quiet, personal ways of honoring him, like offering a prayer for safety during a race on Rico's birthday.

"Hindi naman tayo nakakalimot 'eh, it doesn't mean that because you don't post...'yun lang 'yung iniingatan ko 'eh, interviews, posting...ako 'yung tipong, akin na lang 'yun. May karera ako noong birthday niya actually, and I prayed to keep me safe."

Meanwhile, Dominic is set to star in the upcoming Kapuso action series Task Force: Firewall, alongside Luis Hontiveros and John Vic de Guzman, under the direction of Rico Gutierrez.

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