Brendon Vetuskey connects with the Philippine collecting community, sharing stories from his journey as a Hot Wheels designer. Handout
MANILA — Hot Wheels diecast designer Brendon Vetuskey met with collectors and enthusiasts in Manila during a recent private dinner hosted by Kingsford Hotel Manila in partnership with Metrics PH, organizer of the Philippines Hot Wheels Collectors Convention.
Vetuskey, a Hot Wheels designer and Red Line Club design lead at Mattel, shared insights into the design and creative process behind the diecast vehicles during the gathering, which brought together local and international collectors, families and other invited guests.
Vetuskey joined Mattel in 2007 and has worked on numerous Hot Wheels designs. He currently serves as the diecast design lead for Red Line Club vehicles, a collector-focused line from the brand.
For Vetuskey, the appeal of collecting goes beyond the cars themselves.
“You might meet someone and start talking about your favorite Hot Wheels from childhood or the first car you ever collected. Those stories and shared memories are what makes collecting special,” Vetuskey said.
His visit comes as Hot Wheels collecting continues to draw a community of enthusiasts in the Philippines. Through Metrics PH, collectors have opportunities to meet, exchange stories, trade and showcase their collections.
Collectors take home a personal memento as Brendon Vetuskey signs Hot Wheels memorabilia. Handout
The dinner also marked a collaboration between the collector community and Kingsford Hotel Manila, which hosted the gathering as part of its events and partnership initiatives.
“Hotels can be more than places where people stay. We can become part of the destination experience and create spaces where communities, businesses and visitors connect,” Kingsford Hotel Manila general manager Jorold Montelibano said.
“Partnering with Metrics PH allows us to support the collector community while exploring new opportunities for events, partnerships and experiences that can bring people to Manila,” he added.
For longtime collectors, Vetuskey’s appearance offered an opportunity to hear directly from one of the designers behind the cars they collect. For younger fans and newcomers to the hobby, it offered a chance to connect with a community built around a childhood favorite.
The gathering highlighted the enduring appeal of Hot Wheels, a hobby that continues to bring together collectors across generations.