en Tijuana lies Hugo García, a man who has been looking for the support of his home in the streets for 10 years in a unique and original way: disguised as the animated character “Shrek”, with which he also aims to help society.
“We are in the struggle, we are in life, life brings you everything and you have to take it as it comes, with hope and a good feeling”
Painted green and with the typical clothing that distinguishes the ogre from the animation, Hugo takes to the streets around every corner to take pictures with the curious who approach him, and also attends social events.
It is called the “Shrek of Tijuana”, and the joy is not only shared with his followers, but with his own family, as the idea of personifying this character arose from the need to raise funds for medical treatments and chemotherapies for his wife.
“It’s been 10 years since we ran into the number one enemy of human beings which is cancer in my wife Martha Beatriz Vázquez, she’s already had 17 chemotherapies and we’ve been in God’s hands, because without God we can’t do things, ”Hugo said.
He acknowledged that the population is the one who provides material aid, from money to pantries, which by accumulating decides to share with the most needy such as hostels, orphanages and communities abandoned by the authorities.
“We are in the struggle, we are in life, life brings you everything and you have to take it as it comes, with hope and a good feeling, right now we are and tomorrow we do not know, but always do the good work and the struggle for a human being, “he said.
The “Tijuana Shrek” is recognized by local, national and international media, and distinguished brands have reached out to it, such as the World Boxing Council and Tijuana I Love 664.
The inspiration for Hugo Garcia, he said, is his wife and health, as well as his daughter, who sometimes also supports him by dressing up as Fiona, Shrek’s faithful partner according to the DreamWorks story.
Garcia not only seeks to make a living through the character, but also to bring a human meaning to the community, Since during the sanitary contingency it has given cubrebocas, diapers, pantries, clothes and until kitchens to which they get to require it.
“A few minutes ago I gave away over 60 diapers to kids who also have little things, and thanks to the people who support me, who come from the United States and bring things to my house for me to donate,” he explained.
He recalled that he also provided help to those who have lost their homes due to some natural phenomenon such as fires, rains, landslides, among others.
“Now that the houses were burned in (in the neighborhood) El Rubí we give away toys, we give away food, we give away televisions, there for the El Nen colony, we give away joy there for the La Misèria colony, because there is nothing, there is no light , there is no water, nothing, ”he mentioned.
Hugo García is one of the thousands of Tijuana residents who seek the support of the home every day, but he does it in a different way and on several occasions he has been seen alongside top politicians, accompanying them at social events, as well as with some artists and sports figures visiting Tijuana.
It is common to see the “Shrek of Tijuana” walking through the Urban Area of the Tijuana River, Avenida Revolución, the international checkpoints, the Municipal Palace or the Center, always accessing a photograph and giving sweets to children who greet it.
JM