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Printed in the Philippines. First Edition, 2024
Published by Lipnica, Alliah Quezon City
With the guidance of: BookMarked Book Publishing (@bookmarkedpublishing) book.marked50@gmail.com
Marikina City is known as the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines” for its growing shoemaking industry. Its shoes are known for their high quality and craftsmanship. The city’s shoemakers use a variety of traditional and modern techniques to create shoes that are both stylish and durable. Marikina shoes are also known for their affordability, making them a popular choice for consumers of all income levels.
The Marikina shoe industry has played a significant role in the development of the city. The industry has provided jobs and opportunities for thousands of people, and it has helped to make Marikina a thriving economic center. The shoe industry has also helped to promote Marikina culture and heritage around the world.
This book is a celebration of the Marikina shoe industry. It tells the story of the city’s shoemakers and their craft, and it showcases the wide variety of Marikina shoes that are available today. The book also includes interviews with key figures in the Marikina shoe industry.
I would like to give my commendations to the students of CIIT College of Arts and Technology who gave their time and effort in completing this. I hope that this book will be a learning instrument for those who would like to learn more about Marikina’s shoe industry.
I hope that everyone enjoys reading the book.
Dean, CIIT College of Arts and Technology
Table Contents
Photo from Marikina Municipal Council, & Marikina Shoe Trade Commission
Kapitan moy HISTORY
Don Laureano Guevara was born to Jose Emiterio Guevara and Timotea Marquita San Andres on July 4, 1851. His parents were the ones who taught him how to read and write. He studied at Ateneo Municipal, but did not finish his studies as he chose to assist his family’s business at La Industrial in Escolta, Manila.
In the city of Marikina, he was a wellknown and distinguished capitan de municipal (also called Gobernadorcillo or leader of the town). His neighbors referred to him as “Moy”.
He was from an affluent family and was a community leader who cared about the welfare of those in his neighborhood. He
was concerned with the state of living that the common folk had, and that concern became his motivation to learn about an art form that was considered affordable.
Biggest shoe HISTORY
Under the leadership of Mayor Maria Lourdes “Marides” Carlos-Fernando, the Colossal Footwear team accepted the task of building the largest shoes from Marikina in 2002. Nine Marikina shoemakers were part of the Colossal Footwear crew: Norman Arada, Florinio de Asis, Daniel Cotter, Noel Box, Arman Javier, Cesar Paz, Arthur Rivera, Emmanuel Samson, and Romel Villareal. Valenzuela Tannery, a Bulacan-based supplier, was also in charge of acquiring the raw leather used in the massive shoes. According to MASIDO President Noel Box , the shoes cost almost PHP1.4 million and took 77 days to complete. This shoe measures 5.29 meters in length, 2.37 meters in width, and 1.38 meters in height and it was inscribed in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2002.
The giant footwear was afterward shown at the Marikina Sports Park and, thereafter, at the Marikina Shoe Gallery at the Riverbank Mall until it closed in late 2020. The shoes were known to be the massive shoes shown on a boat in the middle of the Marikina River. The
Marikina Shoe Industry Development Office (MASIDO) is currently building a place for the shoes’ official area before restoring it owing to the damage caused by past typhoons that plagued Marikina.
Guinness World Record for largest shoe.
Behind the Shoes
BehindShoes
MATERIALS BEHINDTHESHOES
Where do shoemakers get their materials?
Otto is known for producing various high quality shoes that cater to all ages. Otto, alongside its parent company, MPS Group of Companies, has established over 60 stores nationwide and produces about 4,000 shoes daily.
They produce rubber sheets and injection moldings of ready-made footwear. They also supply shoe components such as leather accessories and buckles, upper materials, and tools for shoemaking.
Otto was founded in 1979 by Manuel P. Samson, a man born from a family of shoemakers. His first retail outlet was in Pasig. Soon after, he started opening more retail stores and supplying to different
malls. One of Otto’s branches includes the Marikina branch, which is the city he started his shoe making passion in.
321J P Rizal Otto Shoes Building, Brgy San Roque, Marikina City 1801 Metro Manila
shoemaking process
STEP 1
Shoe Foundation
The development of a shoe starts off with the foundation of the shoe which is known as the shoe last or master last. Specifications are established through this prototype.
The shoe last’s original material was hardwood and metal until mass production and modernization took place, in which its material nowadays is hard plastic.
STEP 2
Pattern Making
The second step is pattern making. The shoe’s design determines its purpose. Patterns are made on paper, and then transferred to more durable materials such as thick plastic or thin metal sheets.
Faces of Industry
of Industrythe
bLACK WING
Black Wing started in the early 2000s as a mass producer of slippers and sandals. Buddy Tan’s specialty was wholly focused on slippers and sandals as they grew up in the industry.
As a challenge arrives—the dreaded battle between imports and locally made shoes—Buddy hires professional shoemakers and studies shoemaking locally and internationally.
Different footwear from Black Wing Shoes
Much like how Kapitan Moy created the shoe industry in Marikina, Black Wing experienced trial and error and experimentation with designs before the brand created its very own signature shoes.
In the present time, Black Wing is now being handled by talented and hardworking shoemakers.
Similarly to how the industry began, Blackwing will always aim for a better future in the industry.
This is “BAKA”, Buddy Tan uses BAKA to advertise the shoes.
tATAY OLY
Rolando “Tatay Oly” Santos grew up in a household full of shoemakers.
At an early age, he learned how to make shoes from his parents and kept this knowledge as he grew older. Despite being unable to finish high school, Tatay Oly was known for his passion for making high-quality shoes.
Inside the shop of Tatay Oly Shoe Shop located at 14 Agricultores St, Marikina, 1800 Metro Manila
On one notable day, Tatay Oly saw the president on TV. Being able to gather the exact measurements just by observing the Philippine head of state on TV. Mr. Santos was able to make perfect-fit shoes for President Duterte. With the help of his son’s friend, he was able to meet the president face-to-face and became known for being the very first shoemaker who crafted a president’s shoes just by looking at him through his TV appearances.
One of the memorable and honorable quotes that Rolando’s father left was…
“Ang natutunan mo sa akin, ay ‘wag na ‘wag mong sisirain.”
(Never ruin what you’ve learned from me)
In the present time, Tatay Oly was given his very own store, which was fully provided by the mayor. In return, he gets to enjoy making shoes and providing high-quality shoes for Marikina. As one of the oldest shoemakers in Marikina, he wishes that the youth will be able to learn about the shoe industry in Marikina even for generations to come.One of the Marikina companies, Roadtrip, offers high-quality shoes for people who enjoy cycling, trekking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
ZAPATERIA
The Santa Ana family was known for being one of the oldest families to serve the shoe industry in Marikina City; they have been known to have a hundred and thirty-six years of shoemaking heritage.
Unyx Sta. Ana grew up in a long bloodline of shoemakers, Unyx being the 5th generation and Rico being the 4th. They decided to continue the heritage by founding the creative hub called Zapateria. In 2016, Unyx founded her very own unique brand.
Inside the showroom of Zapateria Marikina located at 56 Dragon, Marikina, 1800 Metro Manila
Zapateria isn’t like any other brand in Marikina City;
They
make
unique shoes
that cater to their client’s needs.
Serving Marikina from their heritage, an innovative jump made them unique and stand out among the present shoemakers. Today, they still provide high-quality shoes and unique designs for their clients.
