THE six-day outpouring of emotions and support for fallen matinee idol Rico Yan since Black Saturday reached its climax at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque, where he was finally laid to rest shortly after 12 noon yesterday.

Tens of thousands of Rico’s fans, some of whom came all the way from the provinces, as well as other kibitzers filled the burial site, which reportedly hadn’t seen such a big gathering since Ninoy Aquino’s death in 1986.

The funeral march, which included 20 coasters and several other vehicles, reached Manila Memorial Park from the La Salle Greenhills gym shortly before 12 noon amidst waves of people that lined the streets leading to the Yan family’s mausoleum.

Despite earlier reminders that fans and kibitzers won’t be allowed to go near Rico’s grave, people from all walks of life whose lives the actor had at one point touched, didn’t seem to mind the searing summer heat just so they could get a much closer look of the late screen favorite for the last time.

Among those who tried to squeeze in through the thick crowd was an 85-year-old lady, a cigarette vendor, who Rico met at the Ayala Center a few years ago. According to her, she had so much to thank the young actor for, because the P10,000 he gave her did her a lot of help.

Of course, who would have missed the strength of character Rico’s mom, Teresita, showed from the moment she delivered the family’s response at the La Salle gym to that time when her third child’s casket was being sealed in his grave?

"I’m crying because finally Rico’s death has made sense. It didn’t make sense at first and I couldn’t help but ask, `Why Lord?’ then `Why Rico?’. Now that we’re all gathered here, I know that it’s God’s perfect will for him (Rico) to die at such a time as this," Mrs. Yan said.

The same goes for Rico's father, Robby, brother Bobby and sisters Geraldine and Tina.

The concelebrated Mass that started around 9 a.m. at the La Salle gym was headed by Rico’s friend and spiritual adviser, Fr. Tito Caluag.

In his homily, Fr. Caluag recalled how Rico badly wanted to empower the youth through his example. The actor, he said, was a wounded leader who struggled to heal and had wanted to lead others into taking the same path he had taken.

Rico’s dream is to see a nation with character, Fr. Caluag added, as he recounted that instance when Rico told him he wanted to be like John F. Kennedy.

In Rico’s eyes, JFK gave America character and class during his shortlived presidency.

But in true Rico Yan fashion, he stated in jest, "Father, I will have to find my Jackie O (Onassis)," Fr. Caluag revealed.

Rico’s showbiz friends who came to La Salle and the Manila Memorial Park included his "Magandang Tanghali Bayan (MTB)" family — Ai-Ai delas Alas, Amy Perez, John Estrada, Randy Santiago, Vanessa del Bianco, Bayani Agbayani, directors Edgar Mortiz and Bobbet Vidanes, Gary Lim, Bentong, Dominic Ochoa and Marvin Agustin.

Other fellow-ABS-CBN talents who saw Rico laid to rest were Pops Fernandez, Candy Pangilinan, John Lloyd Cruz, Onemig Bondoc, Leandro Muñoz, Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, Carlos Agassi, Agot Isidro, Judy Ann Santos and more.

Three singers who lent their wonderful voices to the requiem Mass were Carol Banawa, who rendered "Tanging Yaman," Jamie Rivera, who did "Heal Our Land" and Gary Valenciano, who performed Rico’s favorite song, "The Warrior is a Child."

Of course, ex-girlfriend of four years Claudine Barretto also attended the Mass and funeral with mom Inday, sister Marjorie Barretto, brother-in-law Dennis Padilla, Star Cinema exec Malou Santos and "Got 2 Believe" director Olive Lamasan.

But she and her group were conspicuously seated in the middle of the 2,000-seater La Salle gym.

Even at the memorial park, Claudine and company noticeably kept their distance. Never ever once did we see them attempt to go near Rico’s casket or offer flowers to his grave.

Instead, Claudine and her companions hastily left ahead of almost all the mourners.

That scene left a lot of questions in the minds of televiewers who kept track of the burial on ABS-CBN’s marathon "Paalam, Rico" live coverage.

As we go to press, we received word from an industry insider that Claudine and her group were allowed to attend the ceremonies but were given specific instructions to maintain distance.

Their seats were not of their choice, the source said, but were merely assigned to them.

On the eve of Rico’s burial, an unsigned e-mail circulated around showbiz circles seemingly aimed at further destroying Claudine’s credibility.

The e-mail alleged that the young actress’ sob story in ABS-CBN’s "The Buzz" Easter Sunday interview was fabricated.

It claimed that Claudine and the Barrettos indeed spent Holy Week in Subic, Zambales, along with rumored suitor Raymart Santiago.

Rico and Claudine, the e-mail alleged, had been separated since November last year.

But they opted to keep the break-up to themselves in lieu of their Valentine 2002 movie, "Got 2 Believe."

The "hate mail," if we can call it that, also claimed that Rico, since the break-up, had been dating good friend and business partner, Rep. Miguel Zubiri’s younger sister, Stephanie.

When news that Rico and Claudine had a violent fight on the eve of their fourth year as a pair, which eventually led to their breakup, the e-mail said the former allegedly called fellow "MTB" host, Randy Santiago, because he wanted to talk to his (Randy’s) kid brother, Raymart.

But Raymart reportedly turned down the request.

All these allegedly happened before Rico’s Palawan vacation.

The e-mail also stated, "When news broke out that Rico died, Randy called Raymart and told him `to get out of Subic.’"

At that point, it continued, Marjorie went on air to say that Claudine was in shock and under medication.

But apparently, the e-mail claimed, the Barrettos left Subic for Bulacan where they discussed what to say to the press.

"Looks like Claudine was crying out of guilt!" the e-mail added, "may balita rin kasi na ide-demanda na pala niya si Rico that Monday after Holy Week.

"...Kaya ‘wag na dapat magtaka when the Yans had to go out of the chapel when she (Claudine) went to see Rico’s body last Sunday. Obviously, ‘di siya ma-take ng relatives ni Rico," the e-mail surmised.

If these are all true (as e-mails’ veracity are commonly difficult to verify), then this might help explain what transpired at the La Salle gym and the Manila Memorial Park.

Being a mother ourself, we personally feel for Rico’s mom. Seeing one’s son, regardless of how short or long his life had been, is the most painful and devastating experience a mother’s heart could ever bear.

We deeply admire Mrs. Yan’s strength and composure throughout the entire incident. But if we were in her shoes, we probably would have allowed Claudine to approach Rico’s casket and pay her last respects if only for the four mostly happy years they’ve been together. After all, four years is four years.

As in most marriages, separations are always triggered by shortcomings of both parties.

Pairs don’t part ways just because of one person’s faults. It’s always a two-way affair as much as it is when a relationship works and succeeds.

While Claudine may have had her share of misgivings in the four-year relationship, we are wont to believe that the latter contributed his, too.

Fault-finding and nurturing hatred in our hearts shouldn’t be the order of the day.

For all we know, Rico would himself have wanted Claudine beside him for the last time. And who knows, it could have made him more at peace wherever he may be now?

Mrs. Yan could have done her son a final favor for as they say, "Mothers do everything for their children and don't get paid not because their efforts are of no value, but because they are priceless."

Lest Rico’s mom forget, the actor’s career shifted for the better while he was still in that romance with Claudine.

Sure, Rico loved his craft and saw to it he excelled in everything he did. But Claudine might have inspired him to do even more.

As Mrs. Yan stated in her parting words at the memorial park, it would be best for everyone to lift everything that has happened to the Lord who'd be everyone's guiding light.