The passion and power of the Filipino fans hasn’t gone unnoticed as pop culture lifestyle brand Funko launched its first store in Asia, right here in Manila.
The 1,300-square-foot immersive flagship shop, located at the second floor North Entertainment Wing of the SM Mall of Asia, has rows and rows of Funko pop collectibles of over hundreds of characters.
“The Philippines is quite frankly the home of Funko in Asia. It’s our biggest market with the most passionate fans,” Andy Clempson, Funko’s vice president of Sales for Asia Pacific.
The store features exclusive Philippines-themed collectibles, interactive zones dedicated to beloved franchises such as Disney, Marvel, DC, Anime and a wide array of products including Funko Pop! vinyl figures, Bitty Pop!, Loungefly accessories, and Philippines- exclusive apparel.
Exclusive Asia-only and Philippines limited-edition collectibles such as the Funko Pop! Ad Icons Jollibee and Jose Mari Chan are in store. Funko Philippines T- shirts will be available late this year.
“We like to believe everyone is a fan of something and Funko has something for everyone. We have over 950 licenses — it’s really flexible. There’s great classics, whether you’re talking about Disney, Warner Bros. or Universal. Whatever you’re into — TV, movies, music, sports or anime — you can find it here,” Clempson said.
Fans can also play at the Funko Funcade, a retro-style gaming cabinet featuring arcade games where you can win Funko collectibles. Regularly scheduled gatherings, and fan meet-ups to foster a sense of community among collectors are to be looked forward to.
“Funko fans in the Philippines is fantastically passionate. The environment in the Philippines is okay in terms of pop culture. Where does that come through? Social media is massive. Facebook groups. There’s one that has about 56,000 members,” he added.
Strategically located at SM Mall of Asia, which draws over 200,000 visitors daily, the store offers easy access to both locals and tourists and is purposefully designed to celebrate and engage the vibrant Filipino fan community.
“You don’t have to be a die-hard collector. You can be a passionate collector who wants to collect everything or you can be casual. The Philippines was a natural choice for us,” Clempson said.
It’s a destination where fans and consumers can come together, discover new favorites and get closer to the characters and stories they love.
“Funko is excited to deliver a world-class experience that truly celebrates Filipino fandom,” Clempson ended.
Funko at SM MOA opens 12 July.