Claudine Barretto has always been one of the Philippines’ most recognizable names in show business, a celebrated actress who built a career spanning decades and who also carried a love story that has long been etched in the memories of Filipino fans. But in a surprising and deeply emotional turn, Claudine has announced something that brought both nostalgia and healing: she is now embracing the surname of her late boyfriend, Rico Yan.

The actress took to Instagram to make the reveal through a touching video montage that combined her present-day reflections with her most precious memories with Rico. The video highlighted moments with Rico’s family, particularly his mother, Mrs. Sita Yan, whom Claudine now proudly calls her second mother.

“It’s Not About Rico Anymore”

In the clip, Claudine addressed the long-running narrative that her identity has often been tied to Rico Yan, who passed away in 2002. For years, their love story — one that bloomed on-screen and off-screen — has been a source of both admiration and heartbreak for fans. But Claudine made it clear that this new chapter is no longer about reliving the past but about honoring the present.

“It’s not about Rico anymore. It’s about my love and relationship with his mom, who now accepted me as her daughter,” she said.

With this, Claudine revealed that she now shares a genuine sisterhood with Rico’s siblings, including Tina Marie Yan. “So @tinamarieyan @gerryytee & I are now ‘REAL SISTERS.’ I can now say I am not just Claudine Barretto. I am now Claudine Barretto Yan.”

Finding Family, Finding Healing

Claudine emphasized how blessed she feels to have been embraced by the Yan family after all these years. For her, it symbolizes not only the healing of old wounds but also the discovery of what she calls a “real family.”

She declared herself as “Sita Yan’s daughter,” a statement that reflects how deeply she values the love and acceptance she has received. For Claudine, the bond goes beyond her past relationship with Rico — it’s about forming lasting connections that endure even after loss.

She added a poignant message directly to her late partner:

“We now have each other to take good care of. You can now fly with your beautiful dimple-faced smile. As I let you go, I carry all the love and beautiful memories with me in my heart till infinity & beyond. Rest now, my sweet Prince. I love you, always have & forever till eternity & beyond will.”

These words struck a chord not only with Rico’s family but also with longtime supporters of their love team who have followed Claudine’s journey since the 1990s.

The Yan Family’s Support

In the comments section of her Instagram post, Rico’s sister Tina openly welcomed Claudine as part of their family. “Always has been for us. God is good,” Tina wrote, affirming that the connection between Claudine and the Yan family had always existed, but now it is being recognized publicly with more love and affirmation than ever before.

Remembering Rico Yan and a Love Team That Defined an Era

Claudine Barretto was Rico Yan’s last girlfriend before his sudden passing in 2002, a tragedy that devastated the entertainment industry and broke the hearts of fans across the nation. Their partnership — both real and reel — remains one of the most iconic in Philippine pop culture.

Together, they starred in unforgettable films such as Got 2 Believe and Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita, works that continue to be revisited and cherished by audiences today. Their chemistry on-screen was electric, and their off-screen romance made them one of the most beloved love teams of their generation.

Rico’s untimely death left Claudine and countless fans grappling with grief, and for many years, her name was inevitably tied to his memory. Now, more than two decades later, Claudine is redefining what that legacy means to her.

A Declaration of Identity

By publicly declaring herself as Claudine Barretto Yan, Claudine is not erasing her own identity but expanding it — honoring both her personal journey and the family that has embraced her. For someone who has lived much of her life under the scrutiny of the public eye, this act of claiming love, family, and healing speaks volumes about her resilience and her readiness to step into a new chapter.

For fans, this announcement feels like both an ending and a beginning. An ending to years of speculation, questions, and the shadow of grief; and a beginning of acceptance, peace, and chosen family.

Conclusion

Claudine Barretto’s heartfelt revelation is more than just a name change. It is a symbol of forgiveness, of belonging, and of the enduring power of love — not only romantic love but the kind that binds families together even in the face of loss. By embracing the Yan family, she has found a way to both let go of Rico and keep him forever close.

As she proudly declared: “I am not just Claudine Barretto. I am now Claudine Barretto Yan.”

And with that, Claudine has written a new chapter — one where love and family triumph over heartbreak, and where memories are carried not with sorrow but with gratitude.