Pinay pride! Filipino-inspired Barbie dolls through the years

1 month ago 71

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

MANILA, Philippines – From Barbie to Hot Wheels, Mattel Inc. is a global manufacturing and entertainment brand known for its revolutionary toy collections.

Among its most iconic creations is Barbie, a fashion-forward and inclusive doll that has helped children develop through play while gaining cultural significance worldwide.

As Barbie expanded to an international audience, Mattel also improved representation by creating dolls with ethnically diverse features and heritage-inspired clothing.

For the Philippines, only a handful of dolls have been officially released by Mattel, but several Filipino-inspired Barbie dolls have been manufactured locally and circulated in the market.

Whether you’re an avid collector or just a fan looking for a doll that reflects Filipino identity for yourself or your child, here’s a list of Philippine-themed dolls you may or may not know existed!

Corazon Marikit

In July of this year, Mattel officially introduced Corazon Marikit, a doll inspired by the mythical manananggal of Philippine folklore.

Part of the Monster High Designer Series 2, she is adorned in a traditional terno with intricate heart details. Her ensemble includes Filipino-inspired accessories such as a rattan bag, a fan, a jasmine hairpiece, and shoes featuring a bahay kubo design. The look is completed with red fringes and embroidered bat wings on her back.

Staying true to the urban legend, Corazon Marikit has a unique feature: her torso can detach from her lower body!

Barbie Styled By Design Doll 2

One of the most recent releases from Mattel Creations, this Barbie embodies a Filipina golden goddess. She wears a dramatic cream corset with butterfly sleeves, partnered with a black malong skirt. Her footwear is a pair of bakya platforms with a bahay kubo-inspired motif.

Her sun-ray crown takes inspiration from the Philippine flag, while her gold accessories pay homage to the Badjao people of Southern Sulu, particularly their traditional janggay dance.

Designed by Filipino-American artist and Barbie Signature’s lead designer Carlyle Nuera, this Barbie became available to the public in 2024.

Mutya Barbie

Introduced in 2015, this Barbie — also designed by Carlyle Nuera — pays tribute to the Philippines’ excellence in pageantry. Nuera said in an interview that he drew inspiration from his mother, who was crowned Miss Tacloban in 1976.

Mutya Barbie stuns in a pink mermaid gown draped in a sheer terno organza. The gown’s embroidery is detailed by textile patterns from various Philippine tribes and a sun icon inspired by the national flag. The embroidered hem of the overdress also highlights the country’s national flower, sampaguita.

The finishing touches include traditional Filipino tambourine jewelry and a delicate lace fan.

Philippines Barbie

Released in 2012 as part of the annual Dolls of the World international collection, this Barbie showcases a traditional Maria Clara ensemble — a white lace baro’t saya paired with a long mermaid-cut skirt featuring alternating vibrant yellow and black panels.

Designed by Mattel’s senior design manager Linda Kyaw, the doll’s outfit is inspired by the colorful Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, Quezon.

1991 Filipina Barbie Collection

In the 1970s, Mattel established manufacturing plants in the Philippines, particularly in Cainta, Pasig, and Bataan, according to an Esquire PH report. However, by 1988, the company ceased operations in the country due to multiple labor strikes and financial losses, transferring distribution rights to Richprime Global Inc.

Following this shift, since 1982, Richwell Trading Ltd (now Richprime) has held the exclusive Philippine distribution rights for Mattel toys. From 1991 to 2003, the company produced Barbie dolls distributed exclusively in the Philippines.

The first collection, designed by renowned fashion designer and heritage conservationist Patis Tesoro, featured three Filipino formal wear styles: the Mestiza dress, a fitted gown with elbow-length butterfly sleeves; the baro’t saya — a bell-sleeved baro (blouse) and a flared saya (skirt) — with a wide-collared pañuelo, and a decorative apron (tapis); and the Maria Clara dress, similar to the baro’t saya but worn with or without the pañuelo.

Each gown came in various colors, decorated with beads, sequins, and embroidery.

1993 Filipina Barbie Collection

The collection expanded with updated designs of the previous styles and the addition of informal garments, like kimona, a sleeveless blouse; patadyong, a narrow wrap-around skirt; and kamisa, an informal blouse.

This series also introduced Filipino-themed accessories such as the salakot (traditional hat) and a rattan basket.

1994 Ethnic Filipina Barbie

In an effort to better represent indigenous groups, Richwell launched this collection, highlighting the Ibaloi, Tagakaolo, B’laan, Ilongot, Ga’Dang, Mangyan, and Ifugao peoples.

The dolls’ outfits were made from handwoven textiles to replicate traditional patterns. They also came with miniature beaded bags, necklaces, and headpieces.

1997 Santacruzan Filipina Barbie

Inspired by the Filipino religious procession Santacruzan, this series shows the historical and cultural significance of the tradition.

Like in real Santacruzan events, the dolls are dressed as reynas (queens), each representing a specific title in the procession.

From folklore to tradition, these Filipino-inspired Barbie dolls celebrate the country’s culture, craftsmanship, and heritage, making them a unique addition to any collection! – Rappler.com

Kevin Ian Lampayan is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Read Entire Article