What’s inside the box?
That’s the question drawing curious shoppers and devoted collectors alike as POP MART, the global designer toy brand behind the blind box craze, makes its much-awaited debut in Davao City.
Now open on the ground floor of Ayala Malls Abreeza, POP MART’s first Mindanao pop-up transforms shopping into an adventure, inviting Dabawenyos to step into a vibrant universe where every sealed blind box promises a delightful surprise, and perhaps the rare collectible they’ve been hoping to find.
Ahead of its public opening on Friday, July 3, members of the media got a first look at the pop-up on Thursday, July 2, where rows of fan-favorite characters, including Labubu, Hirono, Molly, SkullPanda, CryBaby, and many more, lined the shelves, ready to surprise their next owners.
Unlike traditional collectibles, POP MART’s signature blind boxes keep their contents hidden until they are opened, making every purchase part shopping experience and part treasure hunt.
For many fans, that’s exactly where the excitement begins.
I got my first Labubu as a gift, and I still can’t forget the excitement of unboxing it for the first time. That’s why I’m thrilled that it’s finally here in Davao City.
Marilen Villamayor, Country Head of POP MART Philippines, encouraged first-time visitors to look beyond the toys and discover the stories behind each character.
“I hope you guys spend time and appreciate the craftsmanship of our products, the stories behind our IPs, and, of course, the interesting details in the new series. I encourage everyone to connect to our IPs, and maybe you can discover your new favorite POP MART products,” Villamayor said.
While every collector has a personal favorite, Villamayor revealed the three intellectual properties (IPs) currently leading the Philippine market.
“So the top three IPs in the Philippines… number one is Hirono. Number two is The Monsters. And third one is SkullPanda,” she said.
Still, she believes POP MART’s appeal lies in the fact that every collector can find a character they connect with.
“Not everybody can relate to all those three IPs. We all have our own favorites, right?” she added.
More than simply selling designer toys, Villamayor said POP MART is about creating meaningful connections through its collectibles.
“As you all explore our pop-up, I hope that you guys can share POP MART with the Davao community on a different level, highlighting the connections of the products to our fans and, of course, the excitement of unboxing, especially for first-timers,” she said.
The Davao opening follows the successful launch of POP MART’s first Visayas pop-up in Cebu and marks another milestone in the brand’s expansion beyond Metro Manila, making its globally sought-after collectibles more accessible to fans across Mindanao.
Whether you’re chasing a rare “secret” figure, starting your very first collection, or simply curious about the viral blind box phenomenon taking over social media, POP MART’s newest pop-up offers a playful blend of art, storytelling, surprise, and nostalgia.
Just don’t be surprised if your first blind box isn’t your last.
After all, the excitement of the unknown has a way of turning “just one” into the start of a collection.
