THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY
How can the industry move forward?
Despite the decline of the shoemaking industry, doors remain open–with social media and online shopping platforms, there’s new ways to shop Marikina shoes. While problems should be solved on a government level, there are ways for businesses to modernize: by rebranding or creating new shoe styles and catering to the youth and other audiences.
Read about the potential of the Marikina Shoe Industry below:
BUT HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY?
Learning about the shoe industry does not have to stop here
IMMERSING IN THE SHOEMAKING PROCESS
Immerse yourself in the intricate world of Marikina shoemaking. By experiencing the craft firsthand, individuals gain a profound, authentic appreciation for the skill and artistry involved.
THE SHOEMAKING PROCESS
Appreciate the hard work behind the creation of shoemaking
Designing the Footwear
Each shoe starts somewhere, whether an idea or rough sketch. Creating a shoe design determines the shoe’s purpose and overall appearance.
Development of the Hulmahan
Hulmaan or shoe last is an anatomically accurate foot model wherein the foundation of each shoe, wherein the shape, dimensions and proportions of the design will be determined. The shoe design then comes to life as the last maker takes note of the toe box, arch, instep, width and heel, making a more accurate design.
Creation of the Padron
After developing the shoe design more with the hulmahan, a shoe pattern aka. the padron is then finalized to scale the design for different shoe sizes. Once the shoe pattern is finalized on paper, it will then be transferred to a more durable material (e.g thick plastic, thin metal) in preparation for leather cutting.
Layouting and Clicking of the Leather
Clicking is a traditional term which also means cutting of the leather for upper assembly. Here, shoemakers use either clicker blade, scissors or sharpened cutter blades. The cutter transfers the shoe pattern onto leather, tracing it and ensuring the leather is maximized.
Areglo – Upper Assemble
The cut leather will then be prepared for permanent stitching through skiving and adding details such as hand stitched elements. Skiving is the process in which excess leather is cut along the edges so areas that overlap won’t be thick. After decorative elements are added, the lining is cut and assembled and then given to the sewer.
Tahi and Closing
Once all the leather is cut and assembled, it is up to the sewer to stitch it all together. Other than highlighting the design, the stitch strengthens and supports the seams of the shoe and gives the shoe its overall form.
Enya or Welting
What is an enya? A welt is the strip of leather that acts as a brace for the shoe, with enya being the local term for it. It goes around the bottom of the shoe upper (the part of the shoe that covers the foot) to secure it. In some traditional shoemaking techniques, the welt is sewn into the insole of the shoe before the outsole is attached.
Swelas
Before the outsole, there are midsoles or ‘pang gitna’, but are disregarded when manufacturing shoes at a lower cost. These give more support for the foot and are made of flexible material like cork.
What are swelas? the part of the shoe that comes in contact with the ground. These are usually made out of rubber or leather. In order to close the shoes, the outsoles are glued then handstitched. The sides are then sanded to smoothen the material.
Finishing
Before the shoes are boxed, they go under quality control: any frays, scratches and marks are cleaned. If needed, shoe makeup is applied before the shoe undergoes polishing and waxing.
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY
Learning about the shoe industry does not have to stop here
A creative hub for footwear design, dedicated to fostering the next generation of independent shoemakers by serving as a center for creative innovation and craft preservation.
Tal de Guzman-Skinker of Risque Designs offers hands-on shoemaking workshops, enabling attendees to personally craft various footwear, from flats to boots, based on their skill level.
Known as Otto Footwear offers shoemaking and leathermaking workshops for all ages, hosted at the Philippine International Footwear Center, home to the OTTO mini shoe museum.
WHERE TO FIND MARIKINA-MADE SHOES
Support local businesses and discover where they are located
Marikina Shoe Bazaar
Marikina regularly hosts seasonal shoe bazaars, such as the ‘Balik Eskwela’ and Christmas bazaars, typically held at the Marikina Freedom Park or City Hall. These crucial events celebrate the city’s identity as the Shoe Capital while providing small local enterprises with essential visibility and a direct channel to engage consumers.
DTI Arts & Craft Fairs
Held mid-year annually, the DTI Arts and Crafts Fair brings together artisans and enterprises nationwide. This high-profile event is crucial for the Marikina shoe industry, as manufacturers consistently attend to expand their market reach, secure new distribution, and showcase their craftsmanship to a broader national consumer base.
Local Marikina Shoe Businesses
Marikina is home to numerous local shoe businesses and small-scale sapatero shops, many of which are family-run enterprises maintaining generations of traditional craftsmanship. These shops focus on creating custom orders, repairs, and high-quality, durable footwear, serving as the foundational pillars of the city’s manufacturing heritage.
Read about the potential of the Marikina Shoe Industry below:
Marikina-made shoes made your way: Shoemaking isn’t just for the sapateros
WRITTEN BY WILLIANE TOBIAS
LOOK BACK TO ITS CURRENT STATE
Discover the deep roots and the current reality of the Marikina Shoe Industry.