‘Meteor Garden’ Filipino OST singer, Shan Cai dubber mourn Barbie Hsu’s death
(From left) Josh Santana, Barbie Hsu, and Cynthia Villanueva. Images: Instagram/@thejoshsantana, Comic Ritz International Production, Screengrab from YouTube/TagaDubb TV
“Meteor Garden” Filipino OST singer Josh Santana and Shan Cai’s dubber Cynthia Villanueva paid tribute to Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who died of influenza-induced pneumonia at 48 last February 2.
Santana was the singer of “Can’t Help Falling’” the Filipino adaptation of “Meteor Garden’s” theme song “Qing Fei De Yi” originally sung by Taiwanese singer-songwriter Harlem Yu. Meanwhile, Villanueva was Hsu’s voice actress in the Filipino dub of the hit drama.
A doctor by profession, Santana said his busy schedule kept him from immediately coming up with his tribute to the actress, but that he couldn’t let down “an entire generation” of “Meteor Garden” fans. He then performed a snippet of his rendition of the TV series’ official sound track.
“I’ve been asked to sing this so many times before and I’ve kept many people waiting because of my busy schedule. However, I can no longer keep an entire generation of Meteor Garden fans waiting most especially now that we all would like to pay tribute to the one and only Barbie Hsu who gave life to the character of Shan Cai,” he wrote on his Instagram account on Tuesday, February 4.
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Santana added in the caption: “I join you guys in remembering this great icon Barbie Hsu. Thank you, Barbie!! Rest in peace.”
Villanueva, on the other hand, told ANC on the February 4 episode of “On The Scene” that Hsu’s death made her realize the impact of “Meteor Garden” in the lives of many Filipinos.
“I realized gan’un pala kalaki ang impact ng ‘Meteor Garden’ sa mga Pilipino. It’s a really sad time. Maraming naka-relate kay Shan Cai, maraming nag-hope like Shan Cai, and maraming nainlove kay Shan Cai. Naisabuhay ni Shan Cai ang kanilang buhay. Malungkot kasi wala na si Barbie but Shan Cai will live in our hearts,” she said.
(I just realized that “Meteor Garden” had a huge impact on Filipinos. It’s a really sad time. Many related to Shan Cai, many hoped like Shan Cai, and many fell in love with Shan Cai. Shan Cai mirrored many people’s lives. It’s sad that Barbie is not here anymore, but Shan Cai will live in our hearts.)
The voice actress also paid her respects to Hsu’s bereaved family and “Meteor Garden’s” fans.
“Kahit saan ako mapunta, actually, kasama ko ang anino ni Shan Cai. Nakakatuwa kasi gan’un pala kalaki ang impact ng ‘Meteor Garden’ hindi lamang sa Pilipinas kundi sa ibang mundo,” she said. “Nakikiramay ako sa mga pamilya and kaibigan ni Barbie Hsu and sa lahat ng fans ng ‘Meteor Garden’ at ni Shan Cai.”
(I feel like I was living in Shan Cai’s shadow wherever I go. It makes me happy to know “Meteor Garden’s” impact not only in the Philippines but also in the world. I express my condolences to the family and friends of Barbie Hsu and all the fans of “Meteor Garden” and Shan Cai.)
Hsu’s death was confirmed on Monday, February 3, by her younger sister, Dee Hsu, who is a TV presenter in Taiwan. “Our whole family came to Japan for a trip, and my dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” she said, per a Focus Taiwan report.
The actress’ remains have since been cremated, and her ashes returned to Taiwan from Japan.
