Barrel man (novelty)
A barrel man or barrelman is a souvenir doll or statuette popular in the Philippines. The statuette usually consists of a crude male figurine carved out of wood, partially hidden inside a round wooden barrel. When the barrel is taken off, the male figure inside is revealed, sporting a prominent phallic protrusion in the lower part of the figure's anatomy.
The souvenir is fairly common in gift shops in the Philippines and is somewhat popular among tourists who may be surprised the first time they encounter the object and lift its barrel.
The barrel man has also been identified as a part of Philippine culture and art, often as the subject of Filipino jokes. In 2005, the Filipino American Network sponsored an exhibit called "Beyond the Barrelman" in Chicago. The event showcased artworks of Filipino artists from North America and the Philippines. The barrel man was also featured in the Filipino-American movie The Debut in 2001 starring Dante Basco.
In recent years, a female version of the figurine has appeared. The surprise is the woman's breasts.Gallery
