TAGPI-TAGPI UPCYCLED MARINE ANIMAL DOLLS

Founded in 2020, Tagpi‑Tagpi (meaning “patching together”) trains women from Dauin, Negros Oriental, to upcycle discarded denim, second‑hand cloth, and even shredded ocean plastics into stuffed marine and island creatures like turtles, octopuses, frogfish, and starfish.

These dolls are entirely hand‑sewn by local artisans! Each piece is one‑of‑a‑kind, featuring unique color combinations and patterns. They showcase Philippine marine life seen while diving off Dauin’s reefs . Their reversible octopus even doubles as a playful emotional toy, inspired by a diver’s encounter with a real octopus.

This initiative gives marginalized women a chance to work from home, build skills, and become leaders in a traditionally male-dominated economy. In short, Tagpi‑Tagpi Dolls are symbols of resilience, creativity, and sustainable community impact rooted in Dauin’s coastal environment.