Was The Public Reaction to the Celebrity Figures at Star City Too Much?
The lead artist has asked for a little more kindness.
Published on Jun 25, 2026
(SPOT.ph) Star City’s new gallery was meant to be a fun photo stop for family and friends, with life-size figures of Filipino personalities from showbiz, sports, and public service on display. Instead, it became social media users' latest target for laughing reacts.
STARtista Gallery was officially launched on June 19, featuring figures of personalities such as Ruffa Gutierrez, Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Angel Aquino, Hidilyn Diaz, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Michael V., Paolo Contis, Isko Moreno, and Gladys Reyes.
Once photos of the STARtista figures made the rounds on social media, though, users zeroed in on how closely—or not so closely—some of the statues resembled the people they were supposed to portray.
“Parang manequin sa Divisoria”
“Pasmado ba gumawa nyan?”
“Madame Tussauds Temu version”
“Idisplay na yan sa Jed's Island”
“MADAM AURING's HOUSE OF FLOOR WAX”
One statue drew much of the attention: Pops Fernandez’s figure, which showed the singer in a royal blue gown. Star City has since temporarily removed her statue from STARtista Gallery.
Also read: Madame Tussauds Launches Lea Salonga Wax Figure
'We accept constructive criticism’
Jerry Santos, the lead artist of STARtista Gallery, said in a News5 interview that the artists behind the figures accept criticism but were hurt by comments that went beyond constructive feedback.
“Nalungkot ako para sa mga artist ko kasi pinag-ukulan nila ito ng panahon, oras, talento, at pagmamahal para masigurado na maganda ang kalalabasan,” Santos said. “Kami naman po ay tumatanggap ng kritisismo. Pero sana ’wag naman ’yung masyadong harsh to the point na sobrang nakakasakit sa mga artist. ’Pag constructive, ina-accept naman namin.”
Following the backlash, a few social media users came to his defense: STARtista Gallery was not exactly working with Madame Tussauds money or materials to begin with, so why were they expecting the same result?
According to Santos, the figures’ heads were only made using resin print—not wax, fiberglass, or steel like Madame Tussauds'—while the bodies were painted and sculpted by hand. He also said celebrity figures are completely new territory for him, as his usual work involves life-size statues of superheroes and cartoon characters.
To be fair to Santos, STARtista Gallery is not the full measure of his work. The man has proven he's no stranger to large-scale displays. In a Facebook post, the artist shared some of his past projects, including works he said were commissioned by or made for big names like Netflix, HBO, Mobile Legends, Dior, Solaire, Okada, SM, Robinsons, Ayala Malls, and several pop-culture conventions like ComicCon and ToyCon.
Whether he was the best fit for STARtista Gallery’s celebrity figures is a different conversation.
Still, Santos said people might want to see the gallery in person before judging it based on pictures.
“Hindi nabibigyan ng justice talaga kung sa picture lang. Kaya ang message ko lang sa kanila, before sila mag-judge, kung puwede bisitahin nila… Bigyan lang kami ng chance.”
Also read: LOOK: Anne Curtis' Madame Tussauds Wax Figure Is Finally Here
Micah believes that writing is always political. Beyond the byline, you’ll find her bruising herself on a pole or doting on her beagle. Reach her at micah@spot.ph.