MANILA — More than two decades since Rico Yan's death, the '90s heartthrob is suddenly everywhere. His face could be seen from online content to television news, from reels to photocards.

Over the past months, enhanced videos showing Yan's past roles in various projects like "Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita", "Mula sa Puso," and "Got 2 Believe" have been dominating TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.

Most users, comprised of fans and newly converted admirers, could not help but gush over the matinee idol's "boy next door" visuals, paired with dimples, young vibe, and seemingly "golden retriever boyfriend" feels. It seems that even though there are plenty of handsome actors today, Yan is "locked up" at a certain special place in Filipinos' hearts.

However, the whole "going crazy for Rico Yan" trend is not relatively new. The roots could be traced to as early as 2021, when the late actor was mentioned in news headlines and on social media after her ex-girlfriend and former love team partner Claudine Barreto posted — and later on deleted — a love letter allegedly given by Yan.

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Claudine Baretto's alleged love letter from Rico Yan 

Baretto's Instagram post garnered both support and criticisms from netizens, with some doubting the authenticity of the letter. Countless times did the actress also became sentimental with Yan, paying tribute and remembering her so called "one great love" even up until this year.

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With all the news involving the late star, netizens were also sharing their thoughts on the former love team's short-lived story and on the actor's looks. It seems that the more Baretto longs for Yan, the more the online world also hypes him and seemingly "revives" him through posting old photos and videos.

Ergo, there is a potential collective viewpoint of Yan as their "the one that got away," just like the popular song of Katy Perry.

This time around though, it's more than just plain images. Aside from being featured in photocards that are being sold online or in "what if" videos that reimagines Yan in present time, there has been an increased number of people who are regularly visiting Yan's grave, all with different intentions and messages.

Dedicated fans of Rico Yan pay tribute at his tomb 22 years after his passing

Whether the intention is for genuine admiration or for "meme-able" approach, some of these were not well-received. Netizens, including Kapamilya actress Jessy Mendiola, are pointing out that the legacy of the late actor is being used for "clout" (or seeking attention), and is being disrespected.

“Wala na [bang] magawang matino ang mga social media addicts? Konting respeto naman sa namayapa na at pati na rin sa pamilya ng [yumao]. Susme,” Mendiola lamented on her Instagram story.

Over at the comment section of ABS-CBN News' stories about the trend, some Filipinos are also calling out certain individuals who they believe are only "using" Yan for their content. Even the generation of viewers were already tapped.

"As a dedicated fan of Rico Yan, I kindly ask those who are trying to gain attention by pretending to be fans to reconsider their actions. Rico passed away a long time ago, and he deserves to be remembered with respect and sincerity. We can appreciate and admire him, but let's refrain from exploiting his memory for personal gain," one comment reads.

"Kaming mga batang 90s nga tahimik lang kahit naabutan namin ang kasikatan ni Rico Yan hehe. Itong mga Gen Z na sa TikTok na lang umasa mga feeling fans pa," another comment indicated.

There are also those who are explaining why the admiration is not necessarily bad.

"Hindi nman kailangan ipanganak ka o naabutan mo para maging fan ka nya. Everything naman about Rico avail[able] sa online pati mga magandang nagawa niya kaya sila naging fan," a netizen commented.

For history geek, viral content creator, and TikTok’s regional safety advisory council member Mona Magno-Veluz or "Mighty Magulang," "fandoms" do not need to be current. She mentioned that she herself also have historical crushes who she visits at times.

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"If you look at historical 'fandoms,' it is perfectly typical to mourn those who died young — Anne Frank, Gregorio del Pilar, Emilio Jacinto. Kaniya-kaniya na lang siguro ng expression of admiration," she said.

Veluz also likened the phenomenon as similar to the plot of Hollywood film "Lisa Frankenstein," where the lead character loves an undead or a "corpse boyfriend."

She noted though that people who are sexualizing Yan are already overboard.

"I get how some videos can be misunderstood as disrespectful. 'Yung iba 'may makamundong pagnanasa' sa taong patay na," Veluz added.

There are comments in various videos that are not only admiring Yan's visuals, but are also hinting sexual remarks — which irk and disgust most people.

One of the biggest supporter groups of Yan and Barreto on Facebook has a page entitled "Rico Yan and Claudine Barretto." The page has recently posted both a reminder and an appreciation note with regards to the trend.

"Lately, things are becoming different in a way that they are getting alarming already. We have been seeing a lot of accounts who obviously are using Rico only just for entertainment purposes or in other words – for clout; which is something needs to be stopped dahil hindi na ito tama," their post in July 7 reads.

"Mapa-fan simula noong 90s hanggang sa mga bagong parte ng pamilya na ito, ang mga Gen Zs! Salamat sa pag-stay at pagmamahal. Pati na rin sa mga nakakakilig at magagandang edits on Tiktok, at kahit saang social media platform pa ‘yan!" the page said on their post yesterday.  "Basta ang tatandaan? Sa tamang paraan."

As for Yan's family, his brother Bobby Yan stressed that they would not issue any statement for now but they are ready to take action if the recent events could also bother neighboring museleos at the cemetery

“We welcome po anyone from anywhere. We have visitors from abroad visit Rico's tomb and there are visitors weekly since 22 yrs ago," he told ABS-CBN News.

Family reacts to Rico Yan trend on Tiktok and fans visiting his tomb