ABOUT MARIKINA

ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MARIKINA

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MARIKINA, FIRST LOOK

Marikina City (Filipino: Lungsod ng Marikina), located in the island of Luzon in the Philippines, is one of the cities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. Marikina shortly became a former capital of the Province of Manila during the declaration of Philippine Independence from 1898 to 1899.

Marikina was given the title Shoe Capital of the Philippines because of its notable shoe industry, being the biggest manufacturer of shoes in the Philippines, producing almost 70% of shoe production in the country. Marikina currently holds the World's Largest Pair of Shoes and recognized by the Guinness World Records, also, the Shoe Museum houses part of the famous shoe collection of the former First Lady Imelda Marcos, shoes of the world leaders, celebrities and shoes of different countries, making it the largest collection of pair of shoes in the world.

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ETYMOLOGY

The term Marikina is used after the Americans took possession in the Philippines on June 1901, and at the same time, the creation of the province of Rizal. The area was earlier calledMariquina after Felix Berenguer de Marquina in 1787 who was the governor-general at that time, and the town was declared a pueblo under the Spanish colonial government. It is often abbreviated as MKNA.

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HISTORY

COLONIAL PERIOD

In 1570, the Augustinians arrived in a place now called Jesús Dela Peña, where the first mass was held in 1630. On April 16, 1630, Fray Pedro de Arce, apostolic ruler of the Archbishop of Manila, approved the transfer of ecclesiastical control and supervision to the Jesuits, and settled a place as a town. The area was later called "Mariquina" after Felix Berenguer de Marquina in 1787 who was the governor-general at that time, and the town was declared a pueblo under the Spanish colonial government. That year, Don Benito Mendoza became the first Gobernadorcillo of Mariquina.

In 1800s, Hacienda Mariquina was owned and administered by the Tuazon family and had become the biggest in the Philippines. The hacienda was declared amayorazgo by the Spanish colonial government. Don Juan Gregorio became the first Alcalde Capitan of Mariquina in 1822. In 1887, Mariquina emerged as a town of shoemakers. Shoe-making began through the pioneering efforts of Don Laureano "Kapitan Moy" Guevarra (known as the father of shoe industry in the Philippines), assisted by Tiburcio Eustaquio, Ambrocio Sta. Ines, and Gervacio Carlos.

In 1896, Andrés Bonifacio arrived in Mariquina before he and his Katipuneros proceeded to the caves of Montalban. Mariquina became the capital of the Province of Manila (which then included Rizal) in 1898, when the Philippine Revolution broke out, a period when Philippine Independence was declared by Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine president. Don Vicente Gomez became the first Alcalde Presidente of Mariquina in 1900.

On June 11, 1901, shortly after the Americans took possession of the Philippines, its name officially became "Marikina" and the province of Rizal was created by virtue of Act No. 137 by the First Philippine Commission which during the time was acting as the unicameral legislative body in the island of Luzon. Marikina, along with many other towns around Manila were incorporated into the new province. Juan Chanyungco became the first Mayor of Marikina in 1938.

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces occupied Marikina. And in 1945, Marikina was liberated by the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth ground troops who attacked theJapanese Imperial Army by artillery from Quezon City. Almost all the big buildings including the church bell tower were destroyed. In reality, the Japanese had already left town and retreating to the north. The destruction which saw over 400 civilians casualties at the end of World War II. Some the local Filipino troops under the pre-war 4th and 42nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was entering and recaptured in Marikina and helped the U.S. liberation forces attacking the Japanese troops during the liberation.

CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

In 1956, Marikina had emerged as a town of shoemakers again after World War II. Honed by years in shoe manufacturing, the natives had developed a work ethic that prepared them for the arrival of heavy industries, and was finally named as the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines". With the industrial plants came waves of workers who chose to stay, rapidly increasing the population. Marikina soon became a victim of runaway growth, resulting in the Marikina Riverbeing polluted by the factories and squatters along the riverbanks. Kapitan Moy's house (and now known as Sentrong Pangkultura ng Marikina) was declared a national shrine in 1968, by the town council and the National Historical Commission.

On November 7, 1975, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 824, integrating four cities and thirteen towns of Rizal including Marikina, were made part of Metropolitan Manila Area. On October 23, 1988, Typhoon Unsang brought heavy rains causing widespread flooding in Marikina for the first time. Large parts of Marikina was submerged by floods and many residents were stranded on their house rooftops and trees and their properties and businesses are extremely damaged.

In 1992, Marikina has since been transformed into the beautiful and industrialized urban municipality under the leadership of former mayor Bayani Fernando. Marikina River transformed into beautiful waterways along the beautiful parks on the riverbanks. On December 8, 1996, the municipality of Marikina became a city and transformed rapidly into a highly urbanized. Marikina was classified into first class city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8223,[4] the day of the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion.

In 2001, under Republic Act No. 9364, Marikina was divided into two congressional districts serving two representatives in 2007. On September 26, 2009, Marikina suffered and widely devastated by flash flood from overflowed Marikina River due to torrential rains caused by Tropical Storm Ondoy, and this was the worst flooding in the Marikina for the past 2 decades. Marikina River reached 23-meter high of water. Marikina was declared under state of calamity, flood water flowed thru the towns and barangays. The national and international aides arrived immediately to Marikina for relief, retrieval and recovery operations.

On August 7, 2012, Marikina suffered and was devastated by flood from overflowed Marikina River reached almost 20 meters, a level is enough to inundate 30% of Marikina, due to torrential rains caused by 8-day active Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, which in this period surpassed the amount of total rainfall that bring of Tropical Storm Ondoy for just 7 hours on September 26, 2009.

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GEOGRAPHY

AREA
Marikina is one of the large distribution in Metro Manila in terms of land area at approximately 21.5 square kilometers (2,150 hectares), about 3.37% of the total land area of Metro Manila.

LAND USE
The south portion of the city occupies the numerous commercial, industrial and residential areas, heritage sites and mixed use zones, while the north and northeast portion are primarily for residential and industrial zones, and various establishments such as small and medium enterprises. Loyola Grand Villas, located at the northwest portion of the city is a rich gated community that occupies upper-middle class and rich residential areas. It comprises 40%residential, 25% commercial and industrial, 20% for parks, institutional and cultural heritage, and 15% for roads.

TERRITORY
From north, Marikina occupies most of the south bank of Nangka River. The east slices the foot end of Sierra Madre mountains of Antipolo and sliced by the streets of Montserrat Hill, Bonanza and Starlite in Barangay Concepcion Dos. The southeast slices by Sapang Baho River occupies the north-west bank. The south portion sliced by Marcos Highway and occupies most of the north side of the highway and extends to the west until it occupies the LRT-2 Santolan Station depot until it reaches Marikina River. The east occupies the southernmost of Quezon City hills which lies Barangay Industrial Valley and slices by C5 Road occupies the west side until it reaches Ateneo de Manila University campus. The east part of the campus covers the city extends up to the north and sliced by several roads of Loyola Grand Villas which covers the east part of the village until it reaches Marikina River and its tributary Nangka River to the north.

LOCATION
Located along the eastern border of Metro Manila, it is bordered on the west by Quezon City, to the south by Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal, to the north by San Mateo, Rizal and to the east by Antipolo City, the capital of Rizal province. It is approximately 21 kilometers away from Manila and lies within 14°38′24″N 121°5′50″E.

The location of Marikina lies on so-called the Marikina Valley which extends to the south towards Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal. Sierra Madre mountains lies to the east and Quezon City hills to the west. Marikina River runs through the mid-west portion of the city, with its tributary including Nangka River. Nangka River runs through the north slicing between Marikina and San Mateo, while the small waterway called Sapang Baho Creek slicing the southeast between Marikina and Cainta and Antipolo City. It is also threatened by flash floods usually along the riverbanks and creekside during heavy rains.

MARIKINA RIVER
Marikina River runs to the western part of the city and surrounded by many lushes trees on the riverbanks. At the south portion of the river is surrounded by structures and concrete walkways. Some of the major attractions in this area are Marikina Bridge, Marikina River Park, Marikina Riverbanks Center and SM City Marikina.

DISASTER PRONE
Marikina is prone to many various disasters. Flash floods and landslides frequent the city especially when struck by torrential rains. Primarily, flooding within Marikina is caused by the increase of water level in major rivers and creeks, and overflowing from its riverbanks to low-lying areas throughout the city. Landslides are another threat, particularly at the foot of the higher grounds.

Another major threats is earthquake, because the most active fault line that generates the epicenter of the earthquake is in Marikina itself. The West Valley Fault System lies at the west of Marikina, the east of the fault line constantly sinking which the large portion of Marikina is included.

CLIMATE
Marikina features a tropical monsoon climate. Together with the rest of the Philippines, Marikina lies entirely within the tropics. Its proximity to the equator means that the temperature range is very small, rarely going lower than 18 °C (64 °F) and going higher than 38 °C (100 °F). However, humidity levels are usually very high which makes it feel much warmer, especially the city lies in the valley. It has a distinct, relatively short dry season from January through May, and a relatively lengthy wet season from June up to December.

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DEMOGRAPHY

PEOPLE
The native people in Marikina refer to themselves as "Marikeño" (or Marikenyo, in Filipino) Marikeños are remarked to be some of the most disciplined people in the Philippines, largely due to the influences, ethics and urbanity from the past administrations. Like other places in Metro Manila, the original settlers are Tagalog. Throughout the centuries, there has been constant migration of Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Cebuanos and other Visayan settlers.There is also a notable number of non-indigenous ethnic groups that had migrated there, including Koreans, Americans, Chinese, Japanese and other nationalities.

NOTABLE PEOPLE
Notable people such as politicians, artists and actors came from Marikina, some of them being permanent residents in the city and others native Marikeños.

LANGUAGES
Tagalog is widely spoken and the main language in Marikina, while English is used in education, business, government and information technology. Other languages such as Cebuano, Bicolano, and Ilocano are prevalent among some families and their respective communities.

RELIGIONS
Marikina was one of the seats of the Spanish colonial government in the past centuries, and has been used as the base of Roman Catholic missions to the Philippines. Among the religious orders include the Dominicans, theFranciscans, the Jesuits and the Augustinians which the first to arrive in Marikina.

The Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (known as Marikina Catholic Church) is the seat of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, the Patron Saint of Marikina. Other notable churches in Marikina such as Jesus Dela Peña Chapel, where the first chapel and mass established in Marikina, and Immaculate Conception Parish in Concepcion Uno, second largest church in Marikina.

Other Christian faiths in Marikina including Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Members Church of God International, Philippine Independent Church, Jesus Miracle Crusade, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other small Christian groups. Other religions in Marikina are Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.

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GOVERNMENT

LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Like in other city governments in the Philippines, Marikina is governed by a mayor and a vice mayor elected to three-year terms. The mayor is the executive head and leads the city's departments in executing the city ordinances and improving public services along with city councilors while the vice mayor heads a legislative council along with barangay councilors. Every barangay also has its own set of projects, providing community service in the city as well as basic services provided for remote residences. It was also awarded numerous times in good governance and integrity. Marikina boasts one of the wealthiest local governments in the Philippines in terms of current assets, cash in banks, share of internal revenue allotment, gross income and gross net income.

CITY MAYORS

• Juan Chanyungco (1938–1945)
• Enrique Dela Paz (1945–1948)
• Gil Fernando (1948–1951)
• Juan Chanyungco (1951–1955)
• Gil Fernando (1956–1959)
• Osmundo De Guzman (1960–1986)
• Teofisto Santos (1986)
• Rodolfo B. Valentino (1987–1992)
• Bayani Fernando (1992–2001)
• Ma. Lourdes Fernando (2001–2010)
• Del R. De Guzman (2010–present)

PEACE AND ORDER

Every barangay has a police station that provides security and crime prevention in the area. Fire stations are also located in strategic areas to easily access in case of fire. CCTV cameras are also set in major intersections and busiest areas in the city to monitor traffic and crime events. There are public safety and security offices in the city, and its justice hall is beside the city hall. Rescue 161 is a hotline number that provides help within the city.

HOUSING

Majority of households in the city has its own house, numerous apartments and dormitories are scattered across the city. Housing projects are also provided by local government in Marikina for those relocated or has no permanent resident. Villages and subdivisions in the city are among the most common housing in the entire city such as Provident and SSS Villages. Exclusive villages are also located in the city like Loyola Grand Villas and Monte Vista. Residential condominiums are now boosting in the city including Marquinton Residences, Federaland Garden Terraces, Bali Oasis, Garden Terraces Residences and Blue Tower Residences.

CITY SEAL

The official seal of the City of Marikina bears the inscriptions Lungsod ng Marikina, Pilipinas, the year 1630 referring to the founding date of the municipality, and 1996 the year of approval of the City Charter. The two mountains represent the majestic twin ranges of the Cordillera and Sierra Madre between which the Marikina Valley nestles, traversed by the Marikina River.The rising sun points to the eastern location of the city, with each ray representing the city's barangays. The machinery gear symbolizes its industries and the shoelast represents the traditional manufacture of the city. The torch focuses on the lofty and noble ideals for human development and a better quality of life, and is symbolic of its Hispanic culture and tradition.The bamboo underscores a mixture of the people's natural humility and strength of character and also emphasizes the city's transition from an agricultural past to the urbanized, industrial present; while the leaves and branches symbolize order and serenity. The bamboo and the wheel represent the Marikina and its people's respect for, and protection of the environment so as to remain in harmony with progress.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

Marikina is divided into 2 districts, Districts 1 and 2, where each district is represented by a congressman in the House of Representatives of the Philippines.

• DISTRICT 1
• Barangka, Tañong, Jesus Dela Peña, Sto. Niño, Sta. Elena, San Roque, Calumpang, Industrial Valley
• DISTRICT 2
• Concepcion Uno, Concepcion Dos, Tumana, Marikina Heights, Fortune, Parang, Nangka, Malanday

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ECONOMY

SHOE ECONOMY
Marikina was the biggest manufacturer of quality shoes, and Marikina produced 80% of the shoe production in the Philippines. It is also the Philippines' largest exporter of leather shoes throughout the world. All locally produced shoes are made in Marikina, from slippers to shoes. Marikina also produced shoes which is made of rubber, wood (bakya) and plastic. Marikina still the undisputed the Shoe Capital of the Philippines and even in Asia.

INDUSTRIES
Marikina is the home to a member of industries, some of which are the biggest and most successful in their fields, and foremost of all, shoe manufacturing, being the best in local craftmanship. Shoe and leather industry still the top livelihood in the city and generates thousands of jobs within the city.

LOCAL BUSINESS
The city has a large number of internet shops, parlors, eateries, bakeries, made-to-order products such as food processing and delicacies, and franchising as their common income. The city provides job fairs, livelihood projects, free training and seminars for its people who want to start or upgrade their business.

MANUFACTURING
The city manufactures food processing, cigarettes, porcelain and chinaware, confectionery, automobiles and cars, appliances, electronics, crafts like bags, hats and slippers, and foremost of all, shoes.

COMMERCE AND TRADE
Public markets in Marikina are often divided into two, the dry goods section and the wet goods section. Commerce in these public markets are in full swing, especially in the early morning. Under the urban renewal program of the city, some of the public markets had been refurbished and given a fresher look, like the "Marikina Public Market" also known as "Marikina Market Mall", or locally called the "Pamilihang Bayan", the biggest and cleanest market in Metro Manila.

Modern shopping malls dot the city especially in the southern portion of Marikina. SM City Marikina, Blue Wave Mall at Marquinton, Robinsons Place, are some of Metro Manila's major shopping and commercial centers stands along Marcos Highway. The popular commercial center that lies in Marikina is the Riverbanks Center.

For the adventurous shoppers, you may venture beyond the hotel or shopping complex package and combine other interesting destinations for cheap buys such as in Marikina Market Mall. Bargaining is the major part of your shopping experience when you pass by that area, as it sells goods at rock-bottom prices. Riverbanks Center gives a comfort to the shoppers as it offers air-conditioned mall, but the price of the goods here is still very similar to the goods bought outside. Some of goods are cheap electronic products, toys and other cheap equipments needed into your homes.

BANKING
Almost all of the major commercial international and local, and government banks in the Philippines operate a branch in the city. Major banks operate in the city with more than one branch. At this time, there are 60 banking institutions offer banking services to businesses and residents. Most of these are concentrated in Barangay Sta. Elena, Sto. Niño, Concepcion Uno, San Roque, Calumpang and Barangka.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Marikina lined up as one of Information Technology hub in Metro Manila and continuously growth of outsourcing and call centers, among them is ICT Groups, Sykes, NCO, Teletech, to name a few. There are numerous contact centers worldwide with IT-based offices in the Philippines in Makati City, Ortigas Center and Riverbanks Center in Marikina City.

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TRANSPORTATION

Currently, elevated train line run through Marikina City. The eastern station of LRT 2 is Santolan located along Marcos Highway. The station connects to the west-end, Claro M. Recto Avenue in Manila
Long before the LRT-2 finally opened its services in Santolan in the Pasig-Marikina border in the early 2000s, Steam train services had once served those places in the past, even before World War II.
In Marikina, there is a street named "Daangbakal", also called by the names of "Shoe Avenue Extension", "Munding Avenue" and "Bagong Silang". There is also a similar "Daangbakal" in the San Mateo-Montalban (Rodriguez) area, and on the maps one can notice that the two roads should have been connected with each other. In fact, as the name suggests in Tagalog, these streets were once a single railway line. The two sides of the "Daangbakal" roads were once connected by a bridge in the San Mateo-Marikina border. However, as the railroad tracks have been largely ignored after the Japanese Occupation and was transformed into separate highways, the railway connection was abandoned.

The old railroad tracks, called the Marikina Line, was connected from Tutuban station in Manila, passing through Tramo (Brgy. Rosario, Pasig) coming all the way to the town of Marikina up to Montalban. On the northern end of the "Daangbakal" road in Montablan is a basketball court. That basketball court which stands today, surrounded by the Montalban Catholic Church and Cemetery, was once the railway station terminus of that particular line.

The present-day Santo Niño Elementary School in Marikina was said to be a train depot. And also it was said that a railroad station once stood in the Marikina City Sports Park.
The Marikina Line was completed in 1906, and continued its operation until 1936. It was said that the Japanese Imperial Army made use of this railway line during the Second World War. These railways were dismantled during the 1960s and were converted into ordinary roads.
Today, the citizens are dependent on Tricycles, Jeepneys, Taxis, FX, Buses, and AUV's which contribute to the everyday unusual and unbearable traffic of Metropolitan Manila. Even now, there is uncertainty in the Northrail project, which links Manila to the northern provinces of Luzon, because of corruption within the project's construction.

Aside from the Marikina Line, two other lines have existed before but are now removed permanently.
First is the Cavite Line, which passed through Paco, Parañaque, Bacoor and up to Naic, Cavite. Completed in 1908, its operation continued until 1936.
Second is the Antipolo Line, which passed through Santa Mesa, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Cainta, Taytay, up to Antipolo near the "Hinulugang Taktak" Falls. There is also a street named "Daangbakal" in Antipolo, where like the "Daangbakal" roads on Marikina and San Mateo, a railway line once existed. The railroad tracks also passed through what is now the Ortigas Avenue Extension. Its operation ceased in 1917.
Public transportation within the city, like in most of the urban areas in the Philippines, is facilitated mostly using inexpensive jeepneys and buses. Tricycles (motorbikes with an attached two seater carriage) are the usual transportation used for short distances, while Taxi cabs are used by the upper middle class. The roads are organized around a set of long narrow and circumferential roads that radiate and circle in and around the city.

One of the most notable attractions in Marikina is the bikeways and bikelanes along major roads and streets. This is the only city in the Philippines which has effective bikeways.

MAJOR ROADS

• Marcos Highway (Marikina-Infanta Road)
• E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C-5)
• Sumulong Highway
• A. Bonifacio Avenue
• Bayan-Bayanan Avenue
• J. P. Rizal Street
• Shoe Avenue
• Gil Fernando Avenue (Angel Tuazon Avenue)
• Fortune Avenue (Claro. M. Recto Avenue)
• Erano Manalo Avenue (E. Rodriguez Avenue)
• Major Dizon Avenue
• General Ordoñez Ave. (Molave Street)
• C5 Access Road
• Katipunan Road
• Bagong Farmers Avenue
• Evangelista Avenue

BRIDGES AND OVERPASS

• Marikina Bridge
• Marcos Bridge
• Diosdado Macapagal Bridge
• New Tumana Bridge
• Nangka Bridge
• Modesta Bridge
• Barangka Overpass
• C-5 Access Road Overpass

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UTILITIES

ELECTRICITY
Marikina's source of electricity is part of the Manila Electric Company or Meralco.

WATER SERVICES
Water supply for the city is supplied by the Manila Water Company.

COMMUNICATIONS
Marikina's communication system is powered by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone company, Globe Telecom, Bayan Telecommunications Corporation (BayanTel) and others. Cellular network in the Philippines particularly the metropolitan areas is increasing rapidly together with the low cost of calls and text messaging. Such big companies that control the cellular networks in the Philippines and Marikina itself are Globe Telecom, Smart Communications (PLDT) and Sun Cellular from Digitel.

TELEVISION AND CABLE SERVICES
Cable television access is provided by SkyCable, Home Cable and Global Destiny. Internet Digital Subscriber Line or DSL coverage is provided by PLDT, cable internet is serviced by Sky Cable's ZPDee and Global Destiny.

RADIO SERVICES
Marikina has its own radio station operated and owned by the city government, DZBF-AM (BF named after Bayani Fernando, the owner of radio station and a former mayor of Marikina and former chairman of MMDA), is an AM radio station that provides information, news and events happening in Marikina, and it also provides some entertainment like other commercial AM radio stations.

INTERNET SERVICES
Wireless broadband is provided by Globeliness Broadband and Smart Communications.

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CULTURE

HERITAGE AND CULTURAL SITES

• OUR LADY OF ABANDONED CHURCH
  Tagged as a Diocesan Shrine in 2005, the Church of the Our Lady of Abandoned is now a venue of pilgrimage among residents not just of Marikina City, but also those of Metro Manila. The church is the oldest parish in Marikina, and the second oldest parish in the Philippines, next to that of Sta. Ana in Manila. Built by Augustinians in the 1700s, the Church of the Our Lady of Abandoned bears the image of an enlightened woman receiving orphaned children. Legend says the Lady is miraculous, stopping a detonation when a bomb was hurled into the church during the World War II. Today, the church is popular as a dramatic backdrop in any wedding, baptismal, and other ecclesiastical celebrations. In Spanish it’s called “Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados”, which is translated in Filipino as, “Ina ng mga Walang Mag-ampon”.

• MARIKINA RIVER PARK
  Marikina River Park lies next to the Marikina River, a catch basin of rainwater in Metro Manila. Marikina River Park, has several cement tables for picnic, and is an open ground for running, biking, skating (the park has a dedicated skating rink), and camping. The park also features the feminist statue, “The Filipina Leader Soars High”, by Juan Sajid Imao, the same Filipino sculptor who built the immense Lapu-Lapu sculpture in Rizal Park, Manila. A few meters from the park is the towering statue of Maria Quina, a legendary woman who possessed sublime beauty and kindness. Her name evolved to Marikitna, which the city was named after. Just like the Pasig River, the Marikina River used to be an important trading route during the Spanish colonial era. The water comes from the Sierra Madre in Rizal province, and forks into a channel, meeting with the Pasig River before exiting into the Laguna de Bay. Marikina River is a Hall of Fame awardee for the Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the Philippines.

ARTS AND MUSEUMS

• MARIKINA SHOE MUSEUM
  The Shoe Museum is a giant walk-in closet of shoes. The museum edifice itself is more than 200 years old, and it used to be rice granary in the Spanish regime, and an artillery storage room during the Japanese occupation. It is made of adobe blocks, shaped into a white cube from the outside, and illumined with warm lights from the inside. Located on the ground floor, the most striking feature of the museum is the huge bulk of shoes donated by the shoe lover Imelda Marcos, First Lady to the late President Ferdinand Marcos. Aside from Imelda’s shoes, the museum displays shoes from other celebrities and political figures. One particular pair of shoe displayed is from the Comedy King of Philippine Cinema, Dolphy Quizon, before he died in 2012. Also displayed on the ground floor is a column installation of wooden shoe molds, an outdated element in the shoemaking process. Meanwhile, a short trip to the second floor showcases a scene in the life of a sapatero or shoemaker. The Shoe Museum was conceived in 1998 by Bayani Fernando, then the Marikina Mayor. The museum opened to the public in 2001 to mark the city the national tag “The Shoe Capital of the Philippines”.

• DOLL MUSEUM

• BELEN AND MINIATURE MUSEUM

• PAN DE AMERIKANA
  Pan de Amerikana is a chess-themed bakery and restaurant that serves authentic provincial cuisines. Visitors are free to roam around its native and artistically designed interiors, including its life-sized chessboard, rope bridge, treehouse, and koi pond. Walking into this restaurant is like stepping into your grandparents’ garden, where you can wander about, frolic, play, and eat homey dishes. The bakery serves 1950’s pan de sal, perfected in the right oven with the right type of wood, and aromatic for a hearty morning breakfast. Its served local dishes came from different provinces including papaitan, dinagdakan, tinomok, pinangat, sinugba, sisig, tawilis and Marikina's signature dishes such as everlasting, waknatoy etc. The restaurant also serves steaks, pasta, Chinese dishes, and other Filipino cuisines. Opened as a bakery in 2003 and annexed with a restaurant in 2005, and today, the restaurant continues to serve as a hangout for various organizations, including those of artists, writers, and chess players in and around Marikina.

• BOOK CUM ETHNOLOGY MUSEUM
  A new museum in Marikina established in 2013, an impressive collection of travel artifacts, the Book cum Ethnology Museum records Dominador Buhain’s adventures among the 273 countries he’s visited, and counting. The museum has six sections, two of which are the major ones, the Book Museum and the Ethnology Museum. The Ethnology Museum highlights well-preserved, priceless artifacts from the gentle folks of the Cordillera Region, the same innovative culture that built the Banaue Rice Terraces. Meanwhile, the Book Museum showcases collection of books, magazines, diaries, and other quirky books such as the smallest book in the world - it’s the size of a thumbnail (3.3 × 3.3 mm) and you’d have to grab a special magnifying glass to read its contents. In the center of the museum lies a huge sculpture of the owner’s foot, a symbol of his itinerant lifestyle. The foot sculpture also fits perfectly with the shoe-themed city of Marikina. There are four other sections in the museum. The Embossed Mural at the back depicts a collage of the other attractions in Marikina. Standing just outside the Ethnology Museum are two fiesta-colored Totem Poles, depicting Philippine myths and legends. The other two sections are the James Dean Diner, a theme-inspired cafeteria, and the Ladies’ Dorm, which has 14 rooms for lease, all inspired by the owner’s travels around the world.

• PHILIPPINE SCIENCE CENTRUM

DANCE AND FOLKSONG

• LERION

SIGNATURE FOOD

• EVERLASTING
  This famous and signature dish Marikina-style meatloaf which has similarity of ingredients to that of "Embutido". However, Everlasting dish is cook on the "llanera" or the baking pan and is garnish with chopped hard boiled eggs, stripes of bell pepper, chopped carrots, slices hotdogs and the likes. This can be decorated with vegetables which is perfect dish for festive occasions.

• WAKNATOY
  Waknatoy (also called Woknatoy) is a dish unique to Marikina. The name is unique to Marikina but the dish itself is not. Waknatoy is simply a variant of menudo. The only marked difference is the addition of pickles which gives waknatoy a sweet-tangy flavor. The rest of the ingredients are the same — meat (pork, most of the time), liver, potatoes, carrots, sausages, bay leaf and tomato sauce.

• LAOYA
  Laoya (sometimes called Lauya) is also a unique dish in Marikina which can be compared with the typical Nilagang Baka except for the addition of luya (ginger), garlic and sweet potatoes (camote). The dish is cooked by adding those ingredients in the broth and boiling altogether with the beef, baguio beans, pepper, and cabbage until the broth is ready and the beef has tendered. Most people would be confused by Laoya’s taste as it is similar to Nilagang Baka or Tinola with beef as the main ingredient instead of chicken.

• COLORED PUTONG-PULO
  Putong Pulo is a small, reddish brown puto made of rice, sugar, baking soda, and atchuete for coloring. It is steamed and topped with a small, thin slice of cheese. Putong Pulo is also famous in Marikina. Aside from its traditional reddish brown color, it also comes in assorted flavors and colors like white, green, pink, and purple.

• PININYAHANG MANOK
  Pininyanhang Manok is also a famous dish in Marikina and also has its own version, aside for its basic ingredients, Marikina-style Pininyahang Manok has tomatoes. In the addition of tomatoes did make it distinctive flavor and color would improve.

• BINABAYASANG ALIMANGO
  This Marikina's signature dish is a rich and flavorful seafood dish that best served with steamed rice. Basically the main ingredients are crabs and ripe guavas, but the difference is cooked it in a low fire until the crab's shell turns into reddish color and the sauce become thick.

• SINIGANG SA BAYABAS
  Typically the main ingredient is guava, and the dish depends on what kind of meat (or seafood), but the authentic dish is came from Marikina and the dish is very popular in every Marikina home.

• TAPSILOG
  Traditionally, beef tapa is made by marinating slices of beef overnight and then drying them out in the sun. Arguably, the Tapsi or Tapsilog, a combination of tapa, sinangag (fried rice), and later itlog (egg), was originally intended to be quick breakfast fare and the word originally established in 1980's and came from the famous Tapsi ni Vivian restaurant. But the combo has become so popular that Pinoys, opt to eat it for lunch and dinner as well. In fact, the tapsilog has produced a number of iterations (replacing tapa but retaining the si and log) such as tocilog (tocino) and longsilog (longganisa), among many others.

FESTIVITIES AND CITY EVENTS

• Ilognayan River Festival — second week of February
• Marikina Holy Week Procession — Holy Week season
• Marikina Foundation Day — April 16
• Ka-Angkan Festival — April 16
• Feast of Our Lady of Abandoned (Patroness of Marikina) — second Sunday of May
• Police Memorial Day — September 8
• Mama Mary Fluvial Parade — September 8
• Ondoy Commemoration Day — September 26
• Sapatos Festival — second Monday of October up to December 31
• Christmas Bazaars — last week of October up to second week of January following year
• Halloween — October 31
• Undas (particular in Loyola Memorial Park) — October 31 to November 3
• Rehiyon-Rehiyon Festival — December 8
• Marikina Cityhood Day — December 8
• Marikina New Year's Celebration, Concerts and Fireworks Display — December 30

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LANDMARKS

MUSEUMS

• SENTRONG PANGKULTURA NG MARIKINA

• Doll Museum
• Cafe Kapitan

• SHOE MUSEUM

• LARGEST PAIR OF SHOES IN THE WORLD

• Shoe Gallery

• PHILIPPINE SCIENCE CENTRUM

PARKS

• CITYHOOD PARK
  A signature landmark of Marikina located at the heart of the city, at the corner Shoe Avenue and Sumulong Highway and inaugurated in 2005. The park is dedicated for being chartered city in 1996. The park is an open public park with a spectacular fountains as the centerpiece, framed by a Spanish inspired facade, upon which 12 carillons are set. The bells were imported from Italy and have been programmed to play tunes every hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The bells can be heard within a 700-meter radius.

• EVOLUTION PARK
  Features the 18 sculptured cows stand as a marker of Marikina's expanse of grazing farmland formerly owned by the illustrious Tuazon Clan. Located in Barangay Marikina Heights.

• Marikina-Korea Friendship Monument

• MARIKINA RIVER PARK
  Marikina River Park is a popular camping site, picnic grounds and recreational park, such as concrete jogging and bike lanes, benches and skating rink. At night, Marikina River Park transforms into a modern nightlife events center because of numerous bars, restaurants, cafés and night clubs along the riverbanks. Other attractions in the river park including Roman Garden, Chinese Pagoda, Kawayanan, Youth Camp, Animal Trail, Skating Rink and Women's Park.

• Roman Garden
• Chinese Pagoda
• Kawayanan
• Youth Camp
• Women's Park
• Animal Trail
• Skating Rink
• Maria Quina Monument

CHURCHES

• OUR LADY OF ABANDONED PARISH
  This is a center of Catholic faith and houses the patron saint of Marikina, Our Lady of Abandoned. The church was started by the Augustinians in 1687 and was finished in 1690. It was destroyed by earthquakes and by fires in 19th century, and it has undergone a series of renovations since 1963 and the home of an image of the Virgin Mary venerated locally, which has received Papal recognition.

• JESUS DELA PEÑA CHAPEL
  Declared a national shrine by the National Historical Commission, the Jesus Dela Peña Chapel was built by the Jesuits on April 16, 1630 and it is the first church in Marikina.

• IMMACULATE CONCEPCION CHURCH

INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTERS

• SM CITY MARIKINA

• RIVERBANKS CENTER

• BLUE WAVE MARQUINTON

• GRACELAND PLAZA

• CIRCLE MALL

• MARIKINA INDUSTRIAL PARK

INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER GOVERNMENT-OWNED CENTERS

• MARIKINA MARKET MALL

• BOYSTOWN INSTITUTE

• TESDA

• MARIKINA CITY HALL

• Marikina Justice Hall

OTHER NOTABLE LANDMARKS

• LOYOLA MEMORIAL PARK

• The Last Supper Monument

• MARCOS HIGHWAY

• Sta. Lucia East Mall
• Robinsons Metroeast
• Q-Plaza
• SM City Masinag
• AMA Computer College East Rizal

• ANGEL TUAZON AVENUE

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Related sources:
Marikina on Wikipedia
TraveLibre