Mattel
Philippines Barbie 2012
Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical Gabriella) various models. Below is the first, Barbie-sized - 11 1/2" Gabriella; later Gabriella dolls were on shorter, 10" bodies.
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| Mattel High School Musical Gabriella, full length |
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| Close up of Mattel High School Musical Gabriella |
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| Box showing actress Vanessa Hudgens |
Richwell (Mattel fashion dolls sold in the Philippines)
Various Barbies, Kens, Barbie family produced for the overseas Filipino market.
You will remember that I could only find one explicitly Polish doll from Mattel. However, I could tick off Polish foods and some Polish American facts. Aside from recognizing that Pinoy is another adjective for Filipino - and one that I would not use because it might be considered derogatory - I know little about the Philippines and the Filipino people. An Internet search uncovered a local group, the Filipino-American Association of Philadelphia, Incorporated (FAAPI). But ... this post is about Filipino American representation in playscale. Lacking explicitly labelled Filipino dolls and action figures, where can we find substitutes?
1. We could "borrow" dolls from Mattel's Dolls of the World Asia line. Or your choice of Mattel's Kayla/Lea, Goddess, Oriental, or other head mold dolls. Mattel has non-specific "Asian" dolls that might do.
2. Find dolls based on Filipino American celebrities. Other famous Americans with Filipino ancestry include Tia Carrere, Phoebe Cates, Mark Dacascos, Bruno Mars, Nia Peeples, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rob Schneider, and Hervé Villechaize. I do not know of any playscale dolls or action figures based on those celebrities or any roles that they played. (Although it does seem as though there should be figures of Mark Dacascos and/or Lou Diamond Phillips.)
(Aside: more relevant to playscale doll and action figure fans Noel Cruz, master doll artist, is Filipino-American. Not that that means a doll and action figure of the artist.)
Next, I would offer substitutes. However, I was not able to photograph the dolls and action figures I would offer as potential "stand-ins" today so I am saving that part for tomorrow.
RELATED READINGS
Manika's Filipina Barbie Guide
Amazon review of Mattel's Philippines Barbie
Click these links for additional information about Filipinos in the United States, Vanessa Hudgens,or Noel Cruz.
9 comments:
Awesome that you are collecting these rare beauties, dear. I am Filipino and I'd like to see more of these dolls, too. For now, I only settle for Raquelle as the only Filipino (looking) in my tiny atelier but thanks for your post. Vanessa's mom is Filipina so she is every bit a Filipina, too. If Mattel can make a Nicole Scherzinger (of Pussycat Dolls) doll, it would also be a great addition as she is of Filipino descent, too.
Hi Shasha and thanks for commenting! Years ago, one ty company was going to make The Pussycat Dolls into dolls, but parents protested that the Group was too sexy.
I did not realize that Nicole Scherzinger is of Filipino descent.
My next post will show some dolls I thought could be used for Filipino characters.
Cool! I'll look forward to this post as I am now thinking of starting a collection or perhaps make my own character dolls of Filipino line. So great for you to feature this. Super thanks, D7ana!
I would buy a Lou Diamond Philips action figure or separate head immediately, there should be one. There are so many celebrity heads available separately, maybe someone will make one one day.
She is a pretty doll. I'm trying to expand Dotsville mulit-cultral mix as much as the budget allows. I can't want for you to share more information.
I cant imagine that their isn't a Lou Diamond Phillips action figure somewhere. Surely Toy Biz or the like has made one. He was a big deal back in the day and is still acting.
Hi Shasha, Night Owl, Brini, and Muff!
@Shasha - I am close to getting those dolls' photos up. Promise ;-)
@Night Owl and @Muff - I think there is a Lou Diamond Philips action figure somewhere. Even a little bitty one. I'd buy one. If he were playscale. Maybe a search under the characters he's played? Ho! Like I would have time to do that; he's got a huge dossier. I should ask some action figure enthusiasts ....
@Brini - thanks; she's pleased by your compliment.
I notice Dotsville becoming more multi-cultural. Your characters are fun and lifelike; I enjoy reading their stories.
I'll have that follow-up post soon.
Awesome! Excited for the shoot! :D
@Shasha - thanks for the feedback ;-)
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