By Janice M. Cave
Marikina City, in the eastern outskirts of the capital, launched Monday its 166-day Sapatos Festival aimed at brushing up its multi-million peso shoe industry.
The city, a tourism and cultural hub, produces nearly 70 per cent of the country's shoes -- some of which are made for export.
The Sapatos festival 2012, themed "Walk This Way!" Gawang Marikina, Gawang Kinikilala, is also aimed at recognizing Marikina-made shoes whose craftmanship and quality local authorities say have earned for the city the appellation as the country's shoe capital.
The celebration actually started on Sept. 10 but the launching was made only Sept 17 -- with activities and events lined up during the festival.
Ryan Salvador, chairman of the Festival, said Marikina's shoe industry is considered as the city's treasure and pride, noting Marikina remains unrivalled in producing quality and durable shoes at an affordable price.
"We're trying to prove to the country that we are still the shoe capital," Salvador said in an interview with the Philippines News Agency.
He said the event aims to help shoemakers and revive the industry which has been on a decline since 2000 due to the entry of imported products from other countries especially China.
Since then, city officials have been doubling their efforts to revitalize the industry.
Salvador said: "Most of us may mga relatives na involved sa shoe industry.
"In recognition of the ancestors of the city, we are holding this event. Second, part na siya ng kultura ng taga-Marikina, bahagi na ng kasaysayan at ito pagkakakilanlan o pride na natin.
It is incumbent upon us to promote the industry kahit na 'di na tayo shoemaker."
Augustinian friars arrived in the area in 1570, but it was not until 1787 when the area was named "Mariquina," after Felix Berenguer de Marquina who was the governor-general at that time.
This year, the city is celebrating the shoe industry's quasicentennial or 125th anniversary.
Marikina's shoe industry started in 1887 through the efforts of Laureano Guevarra, popularly known in the city as Kapitan Moy.
Salvador said from more than 1,000 shoemakers in its heyday during the 1970s, the number is now down to 123.
On Sept. 10, the city government opened the Sapatos Festival at Patio Del Zapateros (Courtyard of the Shoemakers) in Barangay San Roque.
Salvador said owners of popular shoe brands such as "Rusty Lopez", "Otto", and "Valentino" -- all based in Marikina -- are helping the city government in their goal to help shoemakers.
Since it opened last week, revenues of Marikina shoemakers now reached P2 million, Salvador said.
"The city is pushing for the promotion of the shoemakers kaya the P2 million is purely their revenue, walang share ang city diyan," he said.
Salvador invites everyone to visit the Patio del Zapateros where footwear made by Marikina shoemakers are on display until Dec. 31.
"For the 2012 campaign, we coined the festival theme as "Walk this Way". So if you are looking for durable shoes, walk this way to Marikina," he said.
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