During the 70’s, almost all my family constantly visit Marikina. For one, my aunt and uncle lives there and secondly we have to visit the grave of my grandmother and sister at the Loyola Memorial Park. It used to be a quiet town on the outskirts of Metro Manila. I remember it as when I pass the main road from Cubao we have to pass the U-tex factory. (Remember U-tex back then even though a small town as Marikina it was represented in the PBA with imports of the famous Otto Moore and the sweet shooting, 3 dribble foul throw hoopster Larry Pounds.) My aunt and uncle also has a shoe factory at their home making fashioned mens and ladies shoes with their famous mocassin shoewear. They were one of the pioneer shoe makers of Marikina and also one of the first exporters to the Middle East. Their store in Cubao at the Marikina Shoe Expo keeps most of my aunt and uncle’s family employed. As I went overseas more frequently in the 80’s after high school it took me less and less time to visit the place as I got more pre-occupied.

Loyola Memorial Park

After more than a decade, on December 8 1996 the town of Marikina became a chartered city and this town that used to be a part of the Province of Rizal has flourished and became a highly urbanized city. Thanks also to the husband and wife mayor tandem of Bayani and Marides Fernando, who has led the transformation of this quiet town to one of the most respected and awarded city in the country. The “Shoe Capital of the Philippines” which is the heart and soul economy of Marikina City, became more succesful than ever. The shoe industry has led to be one of the finest in Asia and the world as of today. Mayor Marides Fernando has indeed led the way for the city to be one of the National Capital Regions succesful business district. She was also one of the finalist in the 2008 World Mayor Awards and the only one in the Asia - Pacific Region who belongs to the list. The year 2008 served as a blessed year for Marikina City as the River Banks Center has been declared as one of the fast developing business and financial district of the NCR. Also the year celebrated the grand opening of SM City Marikina, which is situated along Marcos Highway and near the River Banks Center.

SM Marikina City

Marikina City also boasts with many interesting activities such as the Fashionista, Experience Marikina and a tour of its shoe industry. While these daily activities for travel and tourism awaits its visitors, its annual festities such as the Rehiyon - Rehiyon Festival celebrated during the 9th of December, participated by the baranggay’s and choses any particular region in the country for which they would represent dressed in ethnic attire with street dancing and most of all cultural presentations. The Sapatos Festival highlights the celebration of its shoe industry.

World's Biggest Shoes

For more information on the City of Marikina visit their website at www.marikina.gov.ph