Style Weekend: Barbie Hsu—a star I had the chance to meet twice

I grew up watching Taiwanese dramas with my mom, so it was no surprise that she introduced me to the hit show Meteor Garden in 2001. Adapted from the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers) by Yoko Kamio, the series features Taiwanese stars Vanness Wu as Mei Zuo, Ken Chu as Xi Men, Vic Chou as Hua Ze Lei, and Jerry Yan as the male lead, Dao Ming Si. Barbie Hsu stars as Shan Cai, the female lead.

The author as interpreter, sisters Dee and Barbie Hsu, with host Kris Aquino

A few months later, as a Chinese-Filipino who often visited Chinatown and Divisoria, I started hearing Manileños calling me “Shan Cai” left and right. At first, I was puzzled, but I brushed it off as just a passing “fad.” Little did I know, this was the start of something much bigger.

I was part of the editorial team at ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. when a general email was sent to all employees, inviting us to apply as an interpreter. Barbie (known as “Da S” or Big S) and her sister Dee Hsu (known as “Xiao S” or Little S) of the A.S.O.S. (All Sisters of Shu) duo, along with Vic Chou and Ken Chu, were coming to the Philippines.

Of course, as someone who speaks Mandarin, I applied. I remember being interviewed by ABS-CBN's now-chief operating officer, Cory Vidanes. She was so pleasant to talk to, and the coordination was a breeze. And yes, I got the "job."

The author's article on Barbie Hsu published on Pink magazine

On the day of the live TV interview, I was calm while the TV crew, as expected, was running around on their toes. I guess you could say I was in high spirits meeting people I could converse with in Mandarin, since it’s not every day you get the chance to do so—and with celebrities, no less! I was also surrounded by local celebrities who were fans, including siblings John and Camille Prats, and Rica and Paula Peralejo, with whom I had the pleasure of bonding that day. Of course, I got to meet Kris Aquino, who was hosting the show.

Barbie was a vision. Her makeup was always fresh and clean, accentuating her flawless porcelain skin—a stark contrast to her effortlessly edgy style. What stood out to me was her attention to detail, particularly in her choice of accessories—especially the three-strand pearl choker with gold hardware by Vivienne Westwood, which she wore to our show that day. It was truly iconic.

That evening was the scheduled concert at Ultra in Pasig City. I hadn’t expected to be invited, but when the organizers asked if I’d like to join, I immediately said yes.

During the concert, which was lightly drizzled with rain, the A.S.O.S. duo asked the crowd where they were from, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out some were from neighboring countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. That’s when it hit me just how far-reaching the series’ influence had spread across the world.

And then, when the crowd began singing in Mandarin, I was overwhelmed and in awe. I looked out at the arena. Never having imagined that, in my lifetime, I would be in the Philippines at a concert with the crowd listening to Taiwanese stars singing in Mandarin. I looked back to the stage and saw the sisters wiping their tears, deeply moved by their fans who sang along with them. In that shared moment, I knew we had crossed a boundary not just of geography, but of culture—and it was something truly unforgettable.

In 2004, Hsu visited Manila again. This time, as the face of Pantene. As the only Chinese-Filipino media representative present, I volunteered to translate most of her responses from Mandarin to English. We had very limited time—only about 15 to 30 minutes at the most—so I made sure we were able to get all the information we wanted to share with her Filipino fans.

Yes, I had the privilege of meeting—and even conversing with—her twice. In both interviews, Barbie Hsu was always radiant, reserved yet approachable, and ready to answer questions with her demure smile. Despite the time constraints during the interviews, she answered every question with thoughtfulness and soft-spoken grace.

Like many around the world who were shocked to hear about her passing, I felt a deep sense of loss. Reflecting on those moments, I realize how fortunate I was to have been part of something so special. It was an honor to translate their words for the Filipino fans watching, and it remains a cherished memory to have witnessed Barbie Hsu’s  influence firsthand. Her beauty and grace, both on and off screen, will never be forgotten.