386. Meeting my Match: HULK HOGAN 16' VINYL TOY, 1984

Would you believe, wrestling superstar HULK HOGAN (aka Terry Gene Bollea), is almost 65 years old?? Considred as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, HULK HOGAN is perhaps the most recognized face in the wrestling world back in the 1980s. That’s because he was also visible in the movies, seen in “Rocky III”(1982) as the nemesis of Stallone.

He was also seen in several TV shows (Thunder in Paradise, Hogan Knows Best and China), and enjoyed a career as the frontman for The Wrestling Boot Band, whose record, Hulk Rules, reached #12 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio chart in 1995.

No wonder then that HULK HOGAN’s likeness was coveted by marketeers,promotions companies as well as toy makers, who tried to cash-in on the wrestler’s fame by turning him into various merchandising items—from trade cards, wrestuling costumes, video games and the most wanted—action figures!

This fine example—is actually the biggest HULK HOGAN figure to be made in 1985. The vinyl figure, made by LJN Toys Ltd., stands an impressive 16”. HULK HOGAN comes in his trademark red hanging shirt, white headband and wears his championship belt.

I found this on ebay—one of those items that were tagged with “Make an Offer” feature. So I did, and offered a ridiculous price for this complete piece, which, to my surprise was accepted (Secret: It cost the equivalent of a thousand pesos).  To this day, HULK HOGAN remains active on and off the wrestling scene, and managed to rise above adveristies--including a divorce that nearly bankrupt him!

No such things as retirement for HULK HOGAN...

Hulkmania rules!!!

370. PATRIOTIC AND POLITICAL PINBACKS

Buttons up!
A handful of pinbacks and buttons mostly with nationalistic and poltical themes--TOP: A Philippine seal enamel button (1960s), a Red Cross button (1920s), a LABAN sign pin (1980s), Teves for Senator pinback (Lorenzo Teves, elected as senator in 1967, appointed governor of Negros Oriental in 1978), and "Iboto Natin si Mercado" (unidentified political candidate, 1960s.).

362. NOT-SO-NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK DOLLS

Remember the American boy band, New Kids on the Block (NKOTB)? Donnie, Danny, Jonathan, Jordan and Joey sent teenyboppers screaming whenever they took to the stage, did their dance grooves as they belted out their hit songs that included Step-by-Step, Please Don't Go Girl, Baby I Believe In You, Hangin' Tough and This One's For Children. By the1990s, they were one of the most popular acts in music, even beating out Madonna and Prince. Their merchandising machine churned out books, comics, buttons, lunch boxes--and this set of NKOTB dolls manufactured by Hasbro. But by 1995, rocked with allegations of lip synching and diverging interests, the group started to break-up until they disbanded. These 2 dolls (Jordan and Danny) --found in a used toy shop--are mementos of their heyday--when they were at the top of their game ast international hitmakers. I am missing the 3 other boys though.  Things are looking up for NKOTB fans when, in 2008, they had reunion concerts, and by 2013, the group was on tour again, in a new attempt to try to regain their popularity--Step-by-Step!

351. Top That! VINTAGE WEDDING CAKE TOPPER

 Those "Japan Surplus" stores burgeoning around many towns and cities are becoming popular haunts for collectibles. This vintage wedding topper,for example, was found in a nearby shop, just a few steps away from my place!  In fact, I just walked right in, did some quick rummaging and came up with this nice topper, not too old, but with lots of vintage appeal.

This must probably be a surplus piece--it came in a box without a cover. The topper is unusued; the husband and wife plastic figurine stands on a latticework base decorated with feathers and fabric flowers. A hundred bucks and it was mine! Now, all I need is a fancy wedding cake!!!

344. Who You Gonna Collect?: GHOSTBUSTER WATER ZAPPER & NUTRONA BLASTER

In 1984, a film about three weird New York parapsychologists opening a ghost-catching business too the theaters by storm. "Ghostbusters", starring  Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis set out to clear an uptown high-rise apartment building of ghosts linked to the ancient god Gozer. Armed with an assortment of ghostbusting weapons, the trio' starts their quest to stop the spirits and their ghoulish attempt to overwhelm the entire world.

The hit movie generated licensed merchandise such as these--replicates of the Ghostbusters wacky weaponry. They were all made by Kenner and dates to the 80s. The Water Zapper sprays up to 20 feet to clear up the neighborhood of ghosts. All one had to do was fill up the zapper with water then you're ready to "soak" every ghost in sight!

The Nutrn Blaster, which dates from 1989, zaps ghosts by generating Nutrona Rays, a state-of-the-art styro foam "proton stream" gun. One had to turn the handle to spin the beam and zap the ghost--just like how the Ghostbusters did it. These two toys complete with their boxes were found in pristine condition at a local general merchandise store that still carried these old stocks that are almost 30 years old! Amazing isn't it? So if there's something strange in your neighborhood--go check it out! It may be an obscure store selling old stocks of toys such as these Ghostbuster blasters!!

307. True Colors: TV CARTOONS MINI-COLORING BOOKS

I first saw this set of small coloring books being sold at Visual Mix, a 2nd-hand book shop that has evolved into the giant used book shop chain, Book Sale. Of course, I just had to get them; they were no ordinary color books to me--they depicted cartoon characters which I watched avidly back in the 70s and early '80s. There was PAC-MAN, based on a Japanese computer game, Pakkuman;  MARVEL'S SECRET WARS that featured all my fave super heroes like Thor, the Hulk and Spiderman; HERCULOIDS, a Hanna Barbera cartoon that had characters out to save the planet like Zandor, Tara, Dorno and Gloop & Gleep. Finally, there was POPEYE, THE SAILOR MAN, that had its beginnings in 1933, although the cartoons I remember were produced by King Features Syndicate from the 60s.

These were cheap Philippine reprints, nostalgic paper relics of  Saturday mornings of marathon cartoon-watching, when the world and I were younger.

299. Classic Ghostbusters Find: STAY PUFT MARSHMALLOW MAN

One of the most sought after collectibe figure from the 1984 movie Ghostbusters,  is Mr. Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (doesn't he look like a close cousin of the Michelin Man?). I found this sealed toy by Kenner in an Angeles City shop back in 1995, which still had old stocks of Ghostbusters toys, many in boxes. So what do you expect? I bought them all, of course. But this one is my favorite--dating from 1987.

Mr. Stay Puft, in his trademark sailor suit, was the final enemy of the first Ghostbuster, the chosen Destructor Form of Gozer, when Ray let the idea of a company logo "just pop in there". Out of the package, he sells for about $45 in great condition, but I've seen mint examples in their original packaging go for $200 or more! So sorry for the bad photo, I'm not about to tear Mr. Stay Puft out of his plastic cocoon; I ain't afraid of no ghost, I'm afraid it will decrease in value!

246. Boxed: WALT DISNEY'S PETER PAN

A 1969 Walt Disney tin lunchbox of Peter Pan manufactured by Aladdin Industries--found at the famous Grand Thrift Shop at Cubao Expo. A pity the thermo is missing! But this lunch box is in exquisite condition, almost unused! This side shows Peter Pan in a duel with Captain Hook...

The other side shows the Darling children flying with Peter Pan. The side panels feature other characters from the popular animated film. Great coloring on this box! I coveted this lunchbox when I was a kid..but unlike Peter Pan, I grew up and sort of outgrew my interest in such kidstuff. Until my second childhood stage kicked in....

203. Boxed: ANNIE

Little Orphan Annie was a popular U.S. comic strip created by Harold Gray (1894–1968) and syndicated by Tribune Media Services. The strip took its name from the 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley, and made its debut on August 5, 1924 in the New York Daily News. By 1937, it was rated #1 comic strip. As expected, it inspired a radio show in 1930, film adaptations by RKO in 1932 and Paramount in 1938 and a Broadway musical Annie in 1977. The original production ran from April 21, 1977 to January 2, 1983 and was staged internationally. "Annie" has also been adapted to film twice, in 1982 and in 1999 the better known being perhaps the former, directed by John Huston and starring Aileen Quinn as Annie, Albert Finney as Warbucks, Ann Reinking as his secretary Grace Farrell, and Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan. (Lea Salonga also was our very own Pinoy 'Annie" and this role would forever be associated with her). Songs from the musical include "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard Knock Life".

Capitalizing on the broad appeal of this carrot-haired girl who sang "The sun will come out tomorrow", like there was no tomorrow, Aldaddin issued this metal lunchbox in 1981, complete with a plastic thermos. This vintage example, with a current market price from $35-$50-- has never been used and is in impeccable condition, so bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, it is certain to increase in value!

182. VINTAGE MORION MASK

Now here's a nice Morion mask I found in my fave Plaridel antique haunt. Masks like this are used during the annual Moriones Festival in Marinduque, in which people, masked and garbed like Roman soldiers, participate in the unique Lenten rites, culminating in the search for Longinus.

The masks, which are fine examples of folk art, are carved out of Dapdap wood by local sculptors (who also sculpt religious statues) although some are done in papier maché. Painted red or pink, they almost always show a stern expression, with wide, staring eyes, large noses, black beard and open mouth. The turbante, or headgear, mimics that of a Roman centurion's helmet. This particular example is made from wood and raffia brush. When finished, a mask may weigh about 2 kilograms. A new Morion mask is priced at an average Php3,500, but I was lucky to get this for just half the price.

179. Dollified: JORDAN OF NKOTB

Remember the NKOTB? (New Kids On The Block)? Not too long ago, this American boy band from Boston took the music world by storm in the late 80s and early '90s with their record-breaking songs (80 million sold worldwide) and a slew of American Music Awards. The band members included Donnie Wahlberg (Marky Mark's sibling), Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood, Jonathan andJordan Knight--whose 1991 dollified likeness is featured here. This 12" Jordan 'action fashion figure' is from the Collectors Series and made by Big StepCollectibles/Hasbro Inc. I bought this at a discounted price in a Hong Kong toy shop years ago. On ebay, this indivual doll is priced from anywhere between $9.99 to 49.99. A complete 5-doll set goes anywhere from $100-185!!.

After disbanding in 1994, Jordan Knight scored post NKOTB success when he released a self-titled solo album in 1999 that went gold. He also scored a top 10 hit with "Give It to You", which went platinum. His second solo album entitled "Jordan Knight Performs New Kids on the Block: The Remix Album" was also warmly received. Not bad, huh? Even his dolls sell well on ebay!

117. RONALD MCDONALD PREMIUM DOLL

I thought I had lost Ronald McDonald, until I found him in a wicker basket atop an old book cabinet--still in its orginal plastic wrap. I remember getting this stuffed cloth-and-plastic doll from a McDonald's store in Hong Kong in the mid 1990s. You don't exactly get it as a freebie--you had to buy one Happy Meal, add a few HK dollars to take this home. Ronald McDonald first appeared as the mascot of the famous fastfood in 1963 where he lived out his adventures in McDonaldland, together with Mayor McCheese, the Hamburglar, Grimace, Birdie the Early Bird, and The Fry Kids.

Over the years, may Ronald McDonald premium dolls were given away, with the first doll made entirely of cloth. Remco made a mixed plastic and cloth doll in 1976. This mid 1980s version is just your basic Ronald doll that doesn't talk, doesn't roll its eyes or doesn't laugh the way that evil Chuckie doll chuckles. So, for the moment, it just sits on a chair in my bedroom, doing nothing. Now, that's my idea of a perfect collectible! Indeed, it's a good time, for a great toy..at McDonald's! So, send in the clowns!

108. Boxed: HE-MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

Did you keep your MOTU stuff? Well, I only manage to keep this one--a metal lunch box of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Starting in 1982, Mattel Toys introduced He-Man of planet Eternia and the evil warlord Skeletor. The original action figures came with minicomics that told stories of Skeletor's invasion of Eternia, setting his sights on Castle Grayskull, the 'fortress of mystery and power'. Whoever attains control of Grayskull will gain the power to become Master of the Universe. The barbarian He-Man was given special powers by the Sorceress to thwart his plot. He-Man was such a hit with kids that a whole line of toys, cartoon series and live action movies and extended characters (remember She-Ra, the Princess of Power?) were created. This lunchbox, made in 1983 by Aladdin, is but one of the thousands of products that was spawned by Mattel's hit creation.

74. Dollified: ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER in "COMMANDO"

The 1985 action movie, "Commando" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Col. John Matrix bolstered the Austrian beefcake's career as a Hollywood hottie. In the movie, Matrix's daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) was kidnapped and the colonel, a former elite member of a a special operations unit comes back to attack and destroy the evil perpetrators led by Bennett, an ex-captain of Matrix's very own unit. To capitalize on the film's success, Diamond Toymakers created this large 18" John Matrix action figurethat came with a pistol, an M16 and a grenade. The toy line was criticized for making children's toys out of Rated-R movies that few of them should have seen.

70. BOXED: Indiana Jones

Before chasing Ally McBeal (aka Callista Flockhart), Indiana Jones (aka Harrison Ford) was looking for an adventure in the Temple of Doom. This rusty lunchbox, made by King Seeley in 1984, marked that moment in moviedom. Dr. Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones first made his appearance in the adventure saga "Raiders of the Lost Ark", which proved to be a blickbuster hit. Several sequels were made, notwithstanding the aging of its lead star (last one was in 2008, "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"), who was losing his hair but not necessary his appeal. Too bad this lunchbox is rusrty and has lost its lunchbox, otherwise, it would have cost $90 on ebay. But for 50 pesos, this Indiana is good enough for me.

61. Boxed: PAC-MAN

Before Pacquiao, there was Pac-Man, an arcade game created by Namco in the 1980. It is derived from "Pakkuman"--which a Japanese description for the sound of the mouth when it opens and closes abruptly. The ghost-eating Pac-Man goes around a maze, devouring its enemies along the way. It became so popular in the U.S. that it is now a classic game icon of the 80s. Well, if you've been boxed, you must be good! This rusty Pac-Man lunchbox was found in an American-leaving shop in Dau. It shows Inky, Blinky, Pinky, Clyde in the clutches of Pac-Man. I wonder what ghosts taste like.

26. B.A. BARACUS: Isn't He A Doll?!

Remember the early 80s action adventure TV series "The A-Team"? Four soldiers of fortune (ex-members of the U.S. Armed Special Force) team up to go on mercenary missions, while running for their lives from the U.S. government. For three years, Hannibal, Face, Murdoch and B.A. Baracus invaded our homes and became part of our TV consciousness. Former bodyguard-bouncer-wrestler Mr. T made an indelible mark in teeveeland with his portrayal of mohawk-haired B.A.("Bad Attitude") Baracus, a role that made him an instant icon. This action figure, found in a provincial general merchandise shop that carried a lot of old toy stocks, is just one of the thousands of merchandise that was generated by the hit series. I wonder if the 57 year old Mr. T is still kicking ass today.