In just over a decade, Juanito “Quiccs” P. Maiquez has carried the Philippines onto the global art toy stage. Since its debut in 2012, his flagship character TEQ63 has traveled from Manila to New York, from Mexico City to Bangkok, and onto major convention floors. What began as a sketch has grown into international collaborations, cross-cultural releases, and worldwide recognition.
“My biggest influences are Japanese robots, hip-hop culture, and the graffiti scene. My toys embody all three,” he said. TEQ63 fused these passions into a helmeted figure, its name standing for “technique from the Philippines,” with “63” referencing the country code—a nod to the motherland.
He left a corporate design job to pursue art full-time. “In terms of mural and graffiti, my biggest influence was 123Klan, a French couple from Canada I discovered on the now-defunct site ArtCrimes.com,” he said. Those influences remain, even as collaborations now include Mastermind Japan, Palace, Neighborhood, and Adidas. In his studio, hip-hop keeps the rhythm of his work.
Recognition followed. In 2018 and 2019, he won the Designer Toy Awards (DTAs) for Artist of the Year and Best Licensed Toy in 2019. Organized by US-based Clutter Magazine, the DTAs affirmed his place in the global scene.
TEQ63 has kept its silhouette of a helmeted head, blocky armor, and clean lines. Collaborations gave it new identities: the “Macho” in Mexico City with lucha-libre patterns, the JolliTEQ in Jollibee’s colors, the Adidas KQ63 sneaker, Pulsar Xlite Quiccs e-sports mouse, and the Secretlab Quiccs Edition gaming chair among others.
This year brought more milestones. Astro Boy and Daimos versions debuted at ToyCon at the Mall of Asia and drew large crowds. He recently launched Bicycle Quiccs Playing Cards and OTK Poker Sets, and auctioned a one-of-one graffiti sofa.
“I’m a business management graduate. I run a business around my passion, art toys,” he said. Years of showing up at conventions and launches built his audience long before bigger institutions took notice. Beyond the brand, he keeps it simple: “As a brother, I am funny. As a son, I am generous. As a friend, I am reliable.”
Faith anchors him. “I believe God always has the perfect time for everything. Everything happens for a reason. We only understand when the small pieces come together to build the bigger picture. I just take every opportunity He gives me,” he said.
That grounding came from family. His mother, Imelda, is known in the Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD) Community as “Tita Meda.” She raised three children with her late husband, Teody. Their eldest son, Michael, once a BLD youth leader, has since passed. Their daughter, Angel, now works full-time with Quiccs.
Imelda recalls his gifts early on. “He was always a gifted child. Even in grade school, he would finish exercises quickly, get perfect scores in Math, and excel in English. When he was in third grade, his winning Christmas card design was the school’s official card,” she said.
Talent was matched by character. “They grew up God-fearing and very loving,” she said. She credits faith and community for strengthening her son. “Our family joined a BLD Family Encounter weekend retreat. I saw a change in Quiccs. He developed deeper faith, a grounded outlook, and greater understanding. Though he was always a good boy, it is a change I still treasure.”
Quiccs sees momentum in the toy community. “It’s growing fast, with Filipino artists gaining recognition abroad and more foreigners coming to Manila,” he said. “Filipinos are now more appreciative of art through toys, and I hope the community keeps supporting one another.”
Next month, he will launch a limited-edition figure exclusively at SuperManila ComicCon at One Ayala, Makati City, on September 6–7.
From a boy sketching on school cards to an artist whose work now connects cultures, Quiccs has seen TEQ63 evolve into more than a character. It has become a cultural bridge, carrying his story and a piece of the Philippines wherever it goes.
