As Pinoys, collecting has always been in our blood – may it be your mother’s extensive pile of classic Tupperware or your father’s wine display you never see him drink. Keeping anik-aniks (Filipino slang for ano-ano) or small knick-knacks we collect and refuse to discard for whatever reason is often frowned upon and seen as wasteful or messy. But this is just the Filipino way of treasuring things with sentimental value and trivial items that spark joy in our lives. Who cares if your collectibles aren’trreasonable in other people’s eyes? You do you, bestie!

Wondering what collectibles you should start hoarding? Here’s a list of the currently trending anik-aniks and where to get them:

Pop Mart

Adding a thrill to the typical collecting experience, Pop Mart is a Chinese toy brand specializing in blind boxes. They usually collaborate with artists, which makes their collections extra special. Some of their most famous characters are Molly (Kenny Wong), Skullpanda (designed by Xiong Miao), Hirono (by contemporary artist Lang), and Dimoo (designed by Ayan). Currently, you can find them at all branches of Fully Booked and collectible toy stores like Filbar’s and Big Boys Toy Store, but they also have an official store on Shopee and Lazada.

Sonny Angels

If you think you need more than one guardian angel, then you can just buy one. Sonny Angels are pocket-sized dolls that are so cute, they give you an instant serotonin boost just by looking at them. They’re also so small, you can bring them anywhere, making them the perfect little angel companions. Each Sonny Angels collection has 12 mystery figures, so try your luck finding one you want! They are usually available in all Fully Booked branches, but they run out of stock quickly, so stay updated by following them on Instagram and Facebook.

KPop Photocards

Perhaps the collectibles that started it all (at least, with Gen Z), photocards are printed pictures (typically selfies) of K-pop idols that are usually included in an album. If you are a K-pop fan, you’ve probably tried collecting these mini cardboard papers of your bias at some point in your life. There are different ways to get one; the most basic is buying your K-pop idol’s album and hoping you are lucky enough to pull your bias. Other fans enter the buy-and-sell community (usually on Twitter) to either trade their photocards or buy the ones they aim for.

Smiski

They may be shy, curious, tiny, and green, but these Smiskis can make the dreary corners of your room lively. And the best thing about them? They glow in the dark! These little creatures may look identical, but they have distinct personalities, making them fun to collect. You can get your own Smiski at any Fully Booked branch or various Facebook groups, although do the latter at your own risk.

Calico Critters / Sylvanian Families

If you dreamed of having a dollhouse during your childhood, here’s good news: there’s a smaller yet equally adorable alternative! Also known as Sylvanian Families, Calico Critters are tiny animal creatures with little accessories, furniture, and homes that you can collect to create your dream miniature village. These timeless Critters are usually sold in families like the Flora Rabbit Family, Latte Cat Family, and many more. They are rarely seen in physical stores, but some branches of Toy Kingdom and Toys R Us sell these cute Critters.

Nendoroid

Calling all anime fans! These chibi toys are your new stress relievers. Unlike common figures that are huge and extremely expensive, Nendoroids are small caricature versions of anime characters. Each comes with extra parts, so you can customize your anime’s appearance depending on your mood. Hubbyte Toy Store is one of the few resellers in the Philippines that deliver high-quality Nendoroids.

Gashapon

The reason why blind boxes are so popular is because we love pleasant surprises and the tingling excitement of possibly getting what we want. This is also the logic behind gashapons, a capsule vending machine toy originally from the Japanese brand Bandai. The term gashapon combines gasha (which refers to the clunk sound that the handle makes when turned) and pon (which indicates how the capsule toy pops out of the machine). They recently opened their first-ever branch in the Philippines at Mitsukoshi Mall, BGC, so remember to check them out!

Stickers

Stickers are the most affordable on this list, yet they spark the same amount of joy. From standard paper stickers to vinyl, holographic, glitter, and even glow-in-the-dark ones, these different kinds of stickers’ charm lies in their versatility. You can put them on anything you own! They paint an object with personality and character, making it easier for you (and others) to know who it belongs to. We highly recommend buying from local artists through their official Shopee or Lazada stores. Some examples of Filipino artists selling stickers are PaperAicaShop, Art ni Drea, ihnadraws, and Elona Creates.

Which of these collectibles are you adding to cart?