POP COLLECTOR PROFILE – TEL SERRANO

With the global pandemic, it’s taken strict measures, drastic action, and dedicated front liners to keep us safe. One of those frontliners is Tel Serrano, a medical technologist who pushes herself to the limit for the greater good. Pops by Comic Odyssey interviewed Tel to ask her how collecting has helped her cope with this challenging time.

“(Para sa akin) pang dagdag motivation ang Funko Pops to work hard!” said Tel. “Lalo na nung nag start ung pandemic. Every after duty, uuwi kang pagod, pero once na makikita mo sila -ung Funko- magiging okay ka na.” Of course, Tel says, there has to be a balance between the work that she does and the joy of collecting. “Mahirap po mag balance, pero ginagamit ko pong inspirasyon ang Funko para mag work ng maigi, para matustusan ang Funko needs!”

Tel began her Pop journey as a student, back in 2013, with Toy Story’s Woody and Buzz Lightyear, but she only got into the collector spirit in 2019, thanks to the best possible reason: “Na-lason ako ng friend ko! Hahahahaha!”

As with many collectors, Tel found that joining a Funko collector group made the experience even better, as it enabled her to make new friends: “Ngayon, sobrang saya sa group! Always feel ko na belong ako and puro lang po good vibes - may mga tao na nag momotivate sa ‘yo to post more ng mga collections. And isa pala sa grail ay ung mga tao na magiging friends mo while collecting!

Today, Tel’s collecting is mostly centered around Disney and other lines she finds cute. It comes as no surprise that one of Te’s personal grails is the Disney Movie Moment “Find Your Voice” #416, featuring Ariel in The Little Mermaid’s iconic ballad scene, but it’s not her most treasured Pop - “Ung may pinaka may meaning sa akin, yung (Despicable Me 2) Carl and Dave. Kasi gustong gusto ko sya i-dibs dati, pero di na keri ng wallet! Hanggang sa may nakadibs na, tapos akala ko never na ako magkakaroon kasi hirap na po sya hanapin, since vaulted na rin. Until one day, binigay sya sa akin as surprise gift ng special friend ko, tapos nakuha rin nya po ng steal price!”

Whether it’s a grail or a common, every Pop is special to someone, especially in these troubled times. “Sobra ung happiness and relief na binibigay ng Funko, naging escape ko siya. Para sa mga bagong collectors, icocollect lang yung gustong i-collect. Kung ano po magpapahappy sa inyo, dun po kayo. Walang tama at mali sa pag cocollect po, ang mahalaga po masaya lang.”