For the first time after almost 20 years, sexy star Sabrina M detailed her secret relationship with the late matinee idol Rico Yan.
Sabrina, who’s Karen Pallasigue in real life, made the revelation about her one-year romance with the matinee idol during a recent press conference for her upcoming movie Manang.
The actress said she and Rico decided to hide their relationship to keep away from being intrigued and judged by the public.
“About kay Rico Yan, ang image niya kasi is wholesome, habang ako naman ay nagpapa-sexy sa mga pelikula.
“Kapag na-issue kami sa isa’t isa, maraming sasabihin sa akin, kaya mas naging better na itinago na lang namin noong nagkaroon kami ng relasyon,” Sabrina was quoted as saying in a Pep report.
Sabrina first met Rico in the now-defunct ABS-CBN show Magandang Tanghali Bayan where the actor was a co-host.
“He was a very caring person talaga. Sobrang maasikaso at malambing na tao,” Sabrina described the late actor.
“Kahit sobrang busy niya, gagawa at gagawa siya ng way para magkita at magkasama kami,” she added.
The actress also recalled Rico defending her from others’ opinions.
“Ang daming mga tanong tulad ng, ‘Bakit siya pumatol sa isang sexy star?’ at ‘Bakit siya pumatol sa isang hubadera?’
“Rico Yan is Rico Yan. Bilib din ako sa kanya kasi hindi siya mapanghusga,” she said of Rico.
Their relationship lasted for a year until Rico’s death in March 2002. Sabrina related she even had a phone call with Rico before he flew to Palawan where he passed away.
“Sobrang sakit sa akin noong time na yon. Nag-iiyak ako. Hindi ko matanggap. Lahat naman ganoon ang nangyayari, di ba?,” Sabrina recalled, adding that he would visit her in her dreams and bid his farewell.
After having second thoughts, afraid reporters might know of their relationship, Sabrina said she attended Rico’s wake and burial but tried hard to conceal her emotions.
Sabrina also made clear that Rico’s older brother Bobby and former reel and real partner Claudine Barretto knew of their relationship.
“I think hindi naman magkakaroon ng problema kay Claudine kasi noong naging kami naman ni Rico, tapos na sila.
“Hindi ko naman pinanghimasukan si Rico during the time na sila pa ni Claudine,” stressing that Cladine and Rico had long separated before they dated.
