While Marikina’s local shoe industry continues to thrive, the city government continues to strengthen support and promotion for locally made footwear amid the growing presence of imported products.

Noel Evangelista, general manager of C Point Shoe, a local shoe store and manufacturer, said the city government continues to extend full support through marketing assistance and by introducing them to different local government units (LGU) to help promote and encourage purchases of their products.

Evangelista said the brand seeks to revive Filipinos’ pride in local craftsmanship by offering quality yet affordable shoes made by long-time Marikina shoemakers.

According to the Marikina Shoe Industry Development Office (MSIDO), demand for locally made shoes is rising again, particularly for handcrafted leather and custom-made designs favored by officials, professionals, and even overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“Ang bawat pares ng sapatos ay bunga ng tiyaga, disiplina, at pagmamahal sa sining ng paggawa. Sa C Point, hindi lang kami gumagawa ng sapatos—gumagawa kami ng kwento ng tibay at tagumpay ng Marikenyong sapatero (Each pair of shoes is a product of patience, discipline, and love for the craft. At C Point, we do not just make shoes—we create stories of resilience and success that reflect the spirit of Marikina shoemakers),” Evangelista said.

To further strengthen the local shoe industry, he said they are coordinating with Mayor Maan Teodoro to launch technical training programs that will allow out-of-school youth to learn shoemaking skills.

He explained that training more people in shoemaking will not negatively affect the local market. Instead, it is expected to boost local production, expand the reach of Marikina-made shoes, and reduce reliance on imports, which are often caused by limited manpower and production capacity.

To prove the quality of their products, Evangelista said that C Point offers a lifetime warranty, under which customers only pay for parts that need replacement, while repairs are done for free.

“Habang ginagamit n’yo yung sapatos n’yo at nasira, p’wede n’yo po ipa-repair dito ng libre, lifetime po (As long as you use your shoes and they get damaged, you can have them repaired here for free—for a lifetime),” he added.

Also showing support for the local shoe industry is Marikina First District Rep. Marcy Teodoro, husband of Mayor Maan Teodoro, who stressed the importance of preserving its strength to pass on the skill, craftsmanship, and Marikina’s proud tradition of quality shoemaking to the next generation.

“Ang Marikina shoes, hindi lang affordable [kundi] quality at talagang sa design panalo ka. Kaya inaanyayahan natin ang lahat na pumunta rito sa Marikina, mag-ikot, mag-gala, at bumili ng mga sapatos (Marikina shoes are not only affordable but also known for their quality and winning designs. That is why we invite everyone to visit Marikina, explore, stroll around, and buy locally made shoes),” Teodoro said.

He also said that every pair of shoes bought helps not only in supporting local products but also in sustaining local employment.

“Go local tayo (Let’s go local),” he added.