Photo via Christine Reyes (@christine) / Instagram
Cristine Reyes sparked online discussions after posting a throwback photo with the late Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu. The actress shared the tribute on Facebook, combining it with a greeting for her 36th birthday.
“Rest in Peace, Shan Cai, our childhood favorite. Also, happy 36th birthday to me. 2•5•25,” Cristine wrote. However, the post was later deleted after drawing mixed reactions.
Many netizens reacted to the unexpected pairing of grief and self-celebration. Social media users created memes, with one jokingly calling her “the Patron Saint of Deepest Sympathy and Birthday Greetings.” The response was divided—some found it inappropriate, while others defended her intentions.
Cristine Reyes Responds to the Backlash
Cristine later addressed the issue on her Instagram Story.
“Maligayang Kaarawan sa akin. Yun na lang. Oks na!?” she wrote, expressing frustration over the criticism. “Kailangan palaging perfect. Bawal magkamali nowadays… May kalupitan na kapalit sa mga bagay kapag nagkamali e, diba?” She ended her statement by acknowledging that she might have been truly grieving on her birthday.
Celebrities Pay Tribute to Barbie Hsu
Despite the controversy, many celebrities paid tribute to Barbie Hsu, including Sandara Park, Kim Chiu, and the Meteor Garden cast. Barbie, who played the beloved character Shan Cai, passed away on February 2 due to pneumonia caused by influenza complications. She was 48.
Cristine’s throwback photo, now deleted, was taken during Barbie’s visit to the Philippines in 2003, when Meteor Garden was at its peak. The show was a huge success in the country, making Barbie and the F4 members—Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Ken Chu, and Vaness Wu—household names.
Barbie’s passing deeply saddened her fans, especially Filipinos who grew up watching her. Despite the mixed reactions to Cristine’s tribute, it reflected the lasting impact of Meteor Garden and Barbie’s role in shaping early 2000s pop culture.
While the post is gone, the conversation it sparked continues, showing how deeply Filipino fans remain connected to their childhood icons.
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