There’s a fine line between admiration and disrespect.
Related: PSA: Respect Your Idols’ Privacy & Personal Time And Space—They’re People, Too
People love their idols. With the way the entertainment industry works, many people end up developing a bond with their favorite stars that is often based on admiration for their personality and their work. And guess what? That’s ok. It’s fine for people to have a favorite star, develop a crush for a new personality, or have an idol they bias. But what happens when our favorite idol passes away? How do you celebrate a public figure who is no longer with us? Well, it starts by not turning their resting place or sacred spaces into some sort of tourist spot. Just look at what’s happening to Rico Yan.
LET THEM REST IN PEACE
Among the many stars that dot the Philippine showbiz industry, few shine as bright as Rico Yan. The matinee idol was the talk of the town from the late 90s to the early 2000s with a face card that was the definition of the boy next door and acting talent to match the hype. Most of his roles, especially when paired with Claudine Barretto, were the stuff of legend. His filmography, which includes classics such as Got 2 Believe, Gimik, Mula sa Puso, FLAMES: The Movie, and Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita, endeared him to generations, which made his unexpected passing in March 2002 that much more shocking.
Rico Yan has that timeless charm, which is no wonder Gen Z has discovered a newfound love for the actor as of late. He’s been going viral on social media, especially on TikTok, as his scenes and kilig-inducing dialogue make the rounds online.
@absstarcinema Balikan na ba? 😊 Relapse malala muna sa sinehan this August 14 sa #UnHappyForYou! ❤️🩹 @JOSHUA GARCIA @Julia Barretto #JoshuaGarcia #JuliaBarretto #PetersenVargas #NewMovie #movies ♬ wag mo silang pansinin – ★
While it’s heartwarming to see Rico Yan have a new look from the new generation, it seems to have inspired a questionable trend of people visiting his grave, with videos of people filming themselves at his grave going viral, often for the wrong reason. It isn’t inherently wrong to visit the final resting place of a dead celebrity as you may want to pay respects, but it is wrong to turn that visit into some sort of clout expedition.
RESPECT YOUR IDOLS, EVEN IF THEY ARE NO LONGER HERE
It goes without saying that graves of stars who are no longer with us are not tourist spots that you visit like you’re on a sightseeing tour. That kind of clout chasing is straight disrespect. While they were public figures, there’s a certain kind of decorum to be practiced when near these solemn spaces. In the same way that living celebrities deserve their space and privacy, so too should that be afforded to stars long gone.
Supporting your fallen idol can come through simply consuming their work, remembering what made them great, and, like what is happening with Rico Yan, introducing them to new audiences. Support them as if you’d support them if they were still alive. Enjoy what body of work they left in this world, talk about their talent, and celebrate what made them special. More importantly, honoring their memory also includes respecting boundaries.
Yes, it’s sad that the people we look up to are no longer with us. But going to private locations that are associated with the celebrity? That’s not the vibe, bestie. This isn’t a spiritual journey. The parasocial relationships that can form in this industry might make us think that we can cross those lines. But we can’t and shouldn’t. These people deserve to rest in peace, and that’s the least we can do to respect their legacy. And if a visit to their grave is something you really want to do, then do so with the right intentions.
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