A story about a Filipina who reportedly mistook a figure of Shrek for a Buddha statue has sparked amusement on social media.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP)’s report on Monday, January 12, the woman, said to be from Manila, allegedly spent four years worshipping the figure, believing it was a depiction of Buddha.
She placed the figure on an altar and worshipped it daily, offering incense and prayers.
The mix-up was discovered when a visiting friend noticed that the figure’s color and facial features did not match those of a typical Buddha statue.
The woman eventually realized that she had been worshipping a 3D-printed model of Shrek, the iconic DreamWorks Animation character known for his bad temper yet good heart.
Like traditional depictions of Buddha, Shrek shares a large, round build and is bald, which may have contributed to the confusion.
According to reports, the woman was both amused and speechless upon discovering the truth. She emphasized that what truly mattered was the sincerity of her prayers and that faith mattered more than appearances.
She also added that she would continue to worship the figure, despite knowing it was Shrek.
The story gained traction on social media and made its way to the “r/Philippines” community on Reddit, where online users expressed both surprise and amusement at the mix-up.
Filipino woman worships Shrek for 4 years, thought it was a Green Buddha
byu/Karmas_Classroom inPhilippines
The story also spread to several Facebook pages, where it earned thousands of reactions and comments.
“Thought it was Buddha too,” a Facebook user commented.
“If every day you look at Shrek and it reminds [you] to do the right things and find peace in yourself. Whatever works,” another wrote.
Others, however, were more skeptical, noting that the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country.
“Saw the same post about this several months ago, it was Thailand? Or probably other countries in Asia, but definitely not the Philippines,” a Facebook user wrote.
“We don’t have Buddha in the Philippines. Meron ba?” another commented.
“Santo Niño, pwede pa, pero Buddha? Parang hindi kapani-paniwala,” a different Pinoy wrote.
A “fat Buddha” statue typically depicts Budai, a jolly, bald Chinese monk from the 10th century known for his large belly, broad smile, and loose robes. Budai is considered an incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha, and remains a beloved figure in East Asian cultures.
Meanwhile, the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, with more than 86% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. Other Filipinos belong to Protestant or nationalized Christian denominations, while some practice Islam or follow non-Western, indigenous beliefs and traditions.
