BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
A WORLD of glamour and nostalgia comes alive through the eyes of Rose Marie Candaza, a retired nurse turned avid Barbie collector. Her vibrant collection spans decades and continents, featuring a dazzling array of dolls, from historical American Barbies to Filipino-themed ones, and even custom-designed miniature dolls. But what makes her collection truly special are the intricate, hand-customized gowns that adorn many of her Barbies, turning each doll into a unique piece of art.
Rose’s journey began far from Iloilo. A registered nurse, she moved to Boston in 1984, where she spent 35 years building her career and life. It was in the 1990s, amidst the hustle of her life abroad, that her love for Barbie blossomed.
“I started collecting Barbies because I was enamored by their beauty,” she shared. “At first, I bought them one by one, starting with the Holiday Barbies that come out every Christmas.”
Her collection grew slowly but steadily, with dolls accumulating in her basement in Boston.
“I never really planned to bring them here to Iloilo,” she admitted. “It felt like such a hassle, but then I thought, why not? After all the effort I put into collecting them, they deserve a proper home.”
When she retired in 2019, following the passing of her husband, Rose decided to return to Iloilo permanently. Along with her, she brought her beloved collection, carefully packed in balikbayan boxes.
Rose’s Barbie collection now spans over three decades, featuring not just Holiday Barbies but also exclusive editions and rare finds. “Whenever a new Barbie is released, I immediately check online or visit stores like Walmart,” she said.
She also takes advantage of sales, picking up dolls during buy-one-take-one offers.
Despite the effort involved in maintaining her collection, Rose insisted it doesn’t feel like work.
“For me, collecting Barbies is not a big responsibility. I simply enjoy looking at them,” she says with a smile.
Rose’s collection is more than just a hobby; it’s a reflection of her life’s journey, from her early days in Boston to her retirement in Iloilo. Each doll tells a story, each gown a testament to her creativity.
“Collecting Barbies has given me so much joy,” she said. “It’s my little way of celebrating beauty, history and art.”
In her Iloilo home, amidst shelves of elegantly dressed dolls, Rose finds happiness and comfort. Through her collection, she inspires others to find beauty in life’s simple joys — one Barbie at a time./PN
