Two new Funko! Pop College Line are Philippine exclusive – The De La Salle Green Archer and Ateneo Blue Eagle Pop. “At first the idea was to do basketball player, one in La Salle jersey, one in Ateneo jersey and we saw Funko did the college mascots in the US so we thought why not just the college mascot,” Nikko Lim, Founder of Funko Fanatic Philippines, said in an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines.

Lim added that the inspiration was originally from Filbar’s, the oldest comics, collectibles, and pop culture novelty shop in the Philippines.

Photo courtesy of Filbars Online Facebook Page

Nikko Lim won the 2020 Funko Collector of the Year and with his connection with Funko, he pitched in the idea to Brian Mariotti, chief executive officer of Funko. The concept has been in dialogue since 2019. However, the production was delayed due to the pandemic.

The newly added exclusives were released on Filbar’s stores on July 12, 2021.

Funko! Is an American toy company famous for their vinyl and bubblehead figures. What makes this company popular is its line of toys inspired by movies, singers, athletes, and more. There is a huge number of Funko! Pop collectors here in the country and it includes actress-model, Louise Delos Reyes.

Photo courtesy of Louise Delos Reyes on Facebook

Filbar’s co-owner, Eric Cabochan, also intends to include more Pop figures from other Philippine universities.

We can’t wait to see UST Tiger, UE Red Warrior, the iconic Tamaraw of Morayta and other Philippine university mascots as Funko! Figures.