Filipino-inspired plush toys now at Toy Kingdom

MANILA, Philippines – We all love the softness and huggable qualities of stuffed toys. And if you’re looking for something to hug, collect, or share as a gift, Toy Kingdom and Gawad Kalinga recently launched Plush and Play, their newest and first Filipino-inspired plush toys at SM Megamall.

 “Hand-stitched with love, stuffed with dreams,” Plush and Play is a social enterprise born inside the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan. It highlights the unique creation of Filipino-inspired stuffed toys that are handcrafted and homemade by hardworking and skilled resident mothers from Gawad Kalinga communities.

These products showcase the creative genius of the poor and excellent skills of artisans that aim to restore the Filipino seamstresses’ livelihood and pride in their craftsmanship. Plush and Play delights the young and old alike while providing a sustainable livelihood for families in the countryside

The first collection includes fruits and veggie stuffed toys named after local icons such as Buko Martin, Manny Pakwan, Jessica Saging, Fili Pinya, Pan Talong, Anne Kamatis, Karla Mansi and Mang Gustin. And these plushies also encourage imaginative play that stimulate children’s’ imagination the Filipino way.

“What makes us different is that we try to bring in something that is more than a toy,” says Fabien Courteille, Plush and Play/Batang Bayani Int’l. Inc. founder and GK Enchanted Farm board member. “We try to create proudly Filipino toys that come with stories, Filipino values and Filipino names. What we want to do is to inspire the new generation of young Filipinos and at the same time restore the livelihood of our mothers in Bulacan and all over the countryside.”

Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto says that the Plush and Play team hopes more toys made by Filipinos will enter Toy Kingdom because they want to show the world that Filipino products are world class.

Apart from being affordable and uniquely Filipino, the idea of creating locally themed veggies and fruits into huggable toys serves as another fun way of introducing kids to the importance of these nutritious foods to one’s health hence making Plush and Play the perfect gifts for the holiday season and beyond.

Have and hug your own Plush and Play pals today at Toy Kingdom SM Megamall.