Bringing Philippine Folklore to Life: How Glenda Chiu Designed Mattel’s Manananggal-Inspired Doll
Written by Shaina Manlangit
Born and raised in Cebu City, Glenda Chiu remembers growing up watching the news, where they’d sometimes report on chilling sightings of the Manananggal—a winged, vampire-like creature from Filipino folklore that splits its body in two to fly through the night. For many, it was a story to fear. For Glenda, it became the unexpected inspiration behind one of her proudest creations: Corazon Marikit, the first Filipina Monster High doll rooted in Philippine mythology.
As a longtime designer for Mattel’s Monster High brand since 2012, Glenda has helped shape a world where monsters are celebrated for their uniqueness. But pitching a Filipino monster like the Manananggal to a global toy company wasn’t something she ever thought could happen.
“It really meant the world to me,” she says. “I’ve thought about pitching [it], but [I was] worried that it just wouldn’t translate or people just wouldn’t understand. It’s always been on the back of my mind for me…”
That changed when she was given the opportunity to create a Designer Series doll. For Glenda, it was the perfect moment—it was time to bring the Manananggal to life.
With roots in both Cebu and Bacolod, Glenda’s upbringing was shaped by a rich mix of Cebuano, Ilonggo, and Chinese Hokkien culture. She moved to the U.S. at 16 but spent every summer break in the Philippines, staying connected to the language, traditions, and legends she grew up with.
“I remember just hanging out at home, playing with my toys [and] with my family who were watching the news,” she recalls. “As a young kid, I didn’t really care about it but every now and then they would talk about Manananggal sightings and that would pique my interest. They’d interview these frightened and excited people. It used to fascinate and scare me.”
Bringing Corazon Marikit to life wasn’t just about turning a mythical creature into a doll—it was about honoring her culture through a fashion-forward and culturally authentic lens. While Monster High is known for bold, playful reinterpretations of classic monsters, Glenda was intentional about infusing her Filipina identity into every detail.
“In the Monster High world, vampires are pink and it felt like the Manananggal was similar to vampires but [I] wanted to make sure she had the morena skin tone. For sure, she needed the Filipiniana sleeves and it was fun researching all the modern Filipiniana looks,” she shares. “The fringes on the dress, though not really a traditional look for a Filipiniana, I wanted that movement when she would be soaring in the sky. But also to emulate that ‘look’ that Manananggals have when flying in the air.”
From her terno-inspired silhouette to her dusky, bat-like wings, Corazon Marikit blends traditional aesthetics with modern flair.
Details You Didn’t Know About the Design
Pusô (Hanging Rice):
Glenda’s love for rice, especially Puso—hanging rice—is a deep part of her Filipino and Chinese heritage. Growing up, she spent a lot of time enjoying Puso, and it’s one of the things she misses most about home. She made sure to incorporate this beloved element into the doll’s design as a personal touch, reflecting an important part of her cultural experience.Mole Near the Eye:
In school, Glenda and her classmates believed that having a mole near the eye means a person can see ghosts. While this belief isn’t specifically tied to the Manananggal, Glenda wanted to add this detail to her doll as an homage to the supernatural stories she and her friends shared growing up in Cebu. It’s a cherished memory from her childhood, one that she felt was important to bring into the design.The Girl on the Package:
On the back of the doll’s packaging, there’s an illustration of a young girl excitedly telling someone about the Manananggal. This image was inspired by a visit from Glenda’s friend’s 6-year-old daughter, who shared with Glenda the Filipino folklore she’d learned in school. The girl excitedly recounted stories of the Manananggal, Sirena, Tikbalang, and more. Glenda loved seeing this moment of cultural exchange and the vibrant energy of the girl captured in the doll’s packaging.
Since Corazon Marikit’s reveal, the response from both the Filipino and Monster High communities has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It has been very heartwarming for me to see my kababayan excited to see a Filipino creature represented in the Monster High world. I’ve been a designer on Monster High for a long time and I’ve never had so many people reach out to me,” Glenda says.
Glenda’s journey into toy design wasn’t traditional. She didn’t have formal training in toy or fashion design, and early on, she battled imposter syndrome. But her love for dolls, storytelling, and creativity led the way—and she encourages other Filipino and AANHPI creatives to trust their unique paths.
“[You] must love toys and having fun! I didn’t grow up thinking I wanted to be a Toy Designer, she says. “I stumbled into the industry and somehow ended up at Mattel. I experienced imposter syndrome when I got hired for Monster High. I didn’t have a background in Toy Design or Fashion Design but my love of playing with toys/dolls and creating helped me on my career path.”
With Corazon Marikit, Glenda Chiu hasn’t just designed a doll—she’s opened the door for more Filipino myths, more multicultural storytelling, and more young creatives to dream big. And somewhere in Cebu, a kid is playing with a flying, terno-wearing Manananggal doll—and finally seeing themselves in her wings.
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