Meet the elderly vendor in Colon, Tatay Sikil, whose handcrafted ₱10 toys are not just simple trinkets, but tokens of perseverance and pride. Familiar ba, mga batang 90s?
Some people might see these as vintage collections or collectibles bringing nostalgic memories. It is surprising that these kinds of crafts are still made these days when, in the old times, tablets, smartphones, and online games were just products of creative imagination.
Now, Tatay Sikil is making a living through making these incredible toys. A lot of people are amazed by his skills; even the new generation enjoys them, and others appreciate that it reminds them a lot of their childhood. He is selling them for 10 pesos worth of hundreds of efforts.
“₱10 isn’t much for us, but for Tatay, it feeds him and his family. Instead of giving alms, buy from him — your small purchase makes a real difference,” Jayford Maranga said in his Facebook post.
He praised the vendor’s quiet dignity, calling him the “real definition of lumalaban ng patas” — fighting fair with hard work and integrity. Other netizens also mentioned that Tatay is truly talented. Hiring him to teach children how to create crafts like these would greatly help develop their artistic skills, and promoting his craftwork would be a great help.
The story has inspired many, serving as a powerful reminder that true community support begins with recognizing and valuing the effort behind every humble hustle. Every purchase from our street vendors helps sustain livelihoods.
📍 Look for Tatay around Unitop Colon, Cebu City. Your small support can be part of his big story.
Photos by Jayford Maranga, via Proud Bisaya Bai
