Claudine Barretto admitted that Rico Yan tried to contact her several hours before the latter passed away.
In an interview with talent manager Ogie Diaz, Claudine said that Rico called her seven times when the actor vacationed at the Dos Palmas Resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in 2002.
However, Claudine, who was firm in her decision to end her relationship with Rico, blocked the actor’s number.
“Ang last na usapan namin is March 17, and then the night na ‘yun ‘yung pinakapinagsisisihan ko. March 29 nang madaling araw, tumatawag siya… binlock ko ‘yung number niya,” she said.
“Sinabi nu’ng sister niya na ‘yung last call niya was sa sister niya at sa akin. Seven phone calls ‘yun na hindi ko talaga sinagot, intentionally binlock. Alam mo, ngayon naisip ko, baka ayun ‘yung pinakamalaking karma ko,” she added.
She also clarified that she had yet to date Raymart when Rico was still alive but admitted that she met with the latter’s family.
“Totoong nag-dinner kami with my family with Raymart because ang Santiagos and and Barrettos very close, kami lang ni Raymart ang hindi close. So totoo ‘yun, pero para lumandi or to spend time with Raymart in a romantic way, no. Hindi ‘yon, alam ng Diyos ‘yon,” she stated.
“During that time na kinu-crucify ako ng tao at sinasabi nila na kasalanan ko, ang hindi alam ng tao, ako rin, sinisisi ko rin ‘yung sarili ko,” she added.
Rico and Claudine was one of the most famous celebrity couples at that time and the actor’s untimely passing became one of the most discussed topics that year.