film Flames: the Movie. In the film Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, a romantic drama, directed by Rory Quintos In September 1998, Yan played Alex Medina, an aspiring businessman whose only dream is to open his own restaurant. Paired opposite Judy Ann Santos whose character needs to choose between family and Alex, the movie was Yan's first full-length role as a leading man, shot in one of the most romantic place Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. In June 1998, following the success of Mula sa Puso then came Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita. Yan played Miguel Quirino, an elitist, methodical student council president that has exceptionally high standards, whose character was constantly pissed and flirted by Mela (Claudine Barretto) just to get his attention. The film received a positive response critical and commercial. Critical success: 2001–2002 In 2001, Yan maneuvered to a different genre from leading man to be part of a comic triumvirate called Whattamen whom initially started on Gimik. In September 2001, he showed his humorist side by playing the pleasant and witty Castro in an all-male comedy sitcom, focusing in three characters on Whattamen alongside, Dominic Ochoa, Marvin Agustin and Ai Ai De Las Alas. A restaurant possessor, who is the charming guy, is all charms and the sane one in the group. Later on the trio had a spin-off from sitcom to daily afternoon show Magandang Tanghali Bayan, where Yan was launched as one of the new hosts. In February 2002, Yan filmed his last movie Got 2 Believe, a romantic comedy directed by Olivia Lamasan, which was a huge box office hit and received a gold record award for the official soundtrack before his death, were Yan recorded a duet, alongside Claudine Barretto as one of the theme songs, Got to Believe in Magic. Yan played Lorenz Montinola a commitment-phobic photographer whose only dream is to be an international one. When he died, Yan had been marked to do three more motion picture films that year under his film outfit Star Cinema after his box office hit movie Got 2 Believe. He was chosen by screenwriter Ricky Lee and director Marilou Diaz-Abaya to play a lead role in the movie sequel of Moral. A major role for the play Sinta in Dulaang Sibol of Ateneo theater by Director Johnny Manahan and an addition on Fernando Poe Jr. and Judy Ann Santos movie sequel of Isusumbong Kita sa