If you’re planning on giving soft, huggable stuffed toys to your nephews and nieces, tiny tots and even your adult friends for this Christmas or even during ordinary days when you just feel like giving out a cute, cuddly thing, then your money will be well spent with Buko Martin, Manny Pakwan, Jessica Saging, Fili Pinya, Pan Talong, Anne Kamatis, Karla Mansi and Mang Gustin. They’re the first batch of Filipino inspired plush toys from Plush and Play, now available at Toy Kingdom at SM Megamall.
“Hand-stitched with love, stuffed with dreams,” Plush and Play toys are unique creations that are handcrafted and homemade by hard working and skilled mothers from Gawad Kalinga communities. The lovable toys were borne out of a vision by Frenchman Fabien Courteille, Plush and Play/Batang Bayani Int’l. Inc. founder and Gawad Kalinga board member, “to create the proudly Filipino toy that comes with stories, Filipino values and Filipino names. What we want to do is to inspire the new generation of young Filipino and if we can do that, at the same time we want to restore as much as feasible the livelihood of our mothers in Bulacan and all over the countryside.”
The social enterprise, which saw its beginning from the Gawad Kalinga–Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan, showcases the creative genius and excellent skills of poor artisans. It also aims to restore the Filipino seamstresses’ livelihood and pride in their craftsmanship. The Plush and Play toys delight the young and old alike while providing a sustainable livelihood for families in the countryside. Plus, these plushies also encourage imaginative play that stimulate children’s’ creativity the Filipino way.
“What makes us different is that we try to bring in something that is more than a toy,” says Courteille. 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 to kids the importance of these nutritious foods to one’s health hence making Plush and Play the perfect gifts for the Holiday season and beyond.
Gawad Kalinga Founder Tony Meloto expressed the hopes of the plush and play team that more toys made by Filipinos will be made available in Toy Kingdom to show the world that Filipinos can make world class toys.
Get your own huggable Plush and Play pals today at Toy Kingdom SM Megamall.