Cristine Reyes’ tribute post to the late Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu has drawn both praise and criticism online after she included a birthday greeting for herself in the same message.
Tribute to Barbie Hsu and Self-Greeting in One Post
On Facebook, Reyes shared a throwback photo with Barbie Hsu from 2003, when the actress visited the Philippines during the peak of Meteor Garden’s popularity.
“Rest in Peace, Shan Cai, our childhood favorite 🤍. Also, happy 36th birthday sa akin ngayong araw na ‘to. 2•5•25.”
Hsu, who famously played Shan Cai in the 2001 hit drama Meteor Garden, passed away on February 2 due to pneumonia caused by influenza complications while on a trip to Japan with her family.
While many netizens appreciated the tribute, others found it unusual to mix a mourning post with a self-birthday greeting. Screenshots of Reyes’ now-deleted post have since been reuploaded by users.
Netizens React with Humor and Criticism
Social media was quick to react, with many finding humor in the unexpected combination of grief and celebration.
💬 “Cristine, the Patron Saint of Deepest Sympathy and Birthday Greetings.”
💬 “Our deepest happy birthday wishes to the bereaved family.”
Cristine Reyes Responds to Backlash
After facing mixed reactions, Reyes defended herself in another post, expressing frustration over the online bashing.
“Maligayang kaarawan sakin. Yun na lang oks na? Kailangan palaging perfect. Bawal magkamali nowadays. May kalupitan na kapalit sa mga bagay kapag nagkamali, diba?”
(“Happy birthday to me. Would that be okay already? Everything must always be perfect. Mistakes are not allowed nowadays. There’s a harshness that comes when you do something wrong, right?”)
She also hinted that she may actually be mourning on her birthday, but the online criticism had taken over the discussion.
Barbie Hsu’s Legacy
Barbie Hsu was best known for her role as Shan Cai in Meteor Garden, which made her a household name in the Philippines and across Asia. She is survived by her husband, Korean rapper DJ Koo (Koo Jun-yup), and her two children from her previous marriage with Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei.
While Reyes’ intentions were sincere, the way she framed her tribute became a controversial topic online—highlighting the intense scrutiny celebrities face on social media.