MANILA — A toy collection craze is taking over the Philippines, with local celebrities showing off their growing collections of the whimsical Labubu toys.

Originally created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, Labubu -- a character from The Monsters series -- has become a must-have accessory, especially among Filipino stars.

Actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista, known for her appearances at fashion weeks around the world, has joined the trend. 

She’s been seen collecting Labubu plush pendants, often hanging them as keychains on her luxury bags. 

Evangelista’s fashionable flair has helped turn these quirky toys into a stylish accent.

Another celebrity, Marian Rivera, has also embraced the Labubu craze, collecting a variety of Labubu sizes from the small plush pendants to the large Mega Labubu figures. 

Rivera is also a fan of other Pop Mart collectibles, including the popular Molly and Skullpanda series.

Meanwhile, Kapamilya star Vice Ganda has jumped into the trend as well, displaying six pieces of Labubu on her luxury bag during an episode of "It’s Showtime" on October 10.

In the show, she referred to her collection as her “babies,” showcasing her enthusiasm for the toy line.

Even actress Ruffa Gutierrez, along with her mom Annabelle Rama, took to Instagram to flaunt their own collection of Labubu and other Pop Mart products, joining the list of celebrities who have embraced this growing trend.

The Labubu phenomenon seems to be more than just a local trend, having gained traction on the global stage.

In some reports, during Milan Fashion Week in January 2024, a Labubu action figure was spotted at a show.

Later, in April, Lisa of the K-pop group Blackpink posted a photo with a Labubu figure, which went viral and further fueled the toy’s popularity.

The Labubu character was created by Kasing Lung, who grew up in the Netherlands and took inspiration from Nordic fairy tales to develop The Monsters universe in 2015.

The characters in this series, including Labubu, are modeled after mythical creatures like elves, fairies, and monsters.

As of this writing, Popmart’s official website lists Labubu for sale at prices ranging from ₱900 to ₱51,000, depending on the size.