Filipino artist makes Trump action figure from ‘tsinelas’

November 13, 2017 - 3:56 PM
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Filipino artist Elmer Padilla created this action figure of US President Donald Trump who is in the Philippines to attend the ASEAN Summit. Screenshot from Reuters Television.

MANILA (Reuters)—A Filipino artist who won fame for his flip-flop sandal carving of a superhero this year has turned his talents to creating an action figure of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The American leader arrived in Manila on Sunday to attend a regional summit, the final leg of a 12-day Asian trip.

Filipino artist Elmer Padila created an action figure of US President Donald Trump as a welcome gesture to the American leader to the Philippines as the latter attends the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila. Screenshot from Reuters Television.

Elmer Padilla, who is known for his collection of superheroes and pop culture characters made from flip-flop footwear, said he made the figurine of Trump to welcome him to the country.

“I did this to show that we Filipinos love making art and we love idolizing presidents who help our country,” Padilla told Reuters Television.

Filipino artist Elmer Padilla sculpts an action figure of US President Donald Trump using rubber flip flops as material. President Trump is in the Philippines to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit. Screenshot from Reuters Television.

Padilla, 30, won fame after Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Marvel superhero The Incredible Hulk, posted the artist’s rendition of his movie role in a viral Facebook post in October. Padilla makes the action figures from old flip flops or factory rejects donated by clients or sandal manufacturers.

An action figure sells for $25 each. Padilla said he had no plans to sell the Trump figure but hoped to give it to the U.S. leader.

Filipino artist Elmer Padilla creates action figures, the latest of which is US President Donald Trump, using rubber from flip flops as materials. Screenshot from Reuters Television.