Marikina was given the title the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines", because of its notable shoe industry. Shoemakers in the city recently finished creating the world's largest pair of shoes and it was only recently that the Guinness Book of Records recognized this feat. The Shoe Museum in the city is also the home of the famous shoes of the former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
One of the multi-awarded cities of the Philippines, Marikina City is located in the eastern part of Metro Manila. Situated on the plain of the Marikina River Valley, it is bounded on the north by the town of San mateo in Rizal Province, on the east by Antipolo City, on the south by Pasig City and the town of Cainta in the province of Rizal, on the west by Quezon City. It has a total land area of 21.5 square kilometers, slightly smaller than Manila. Marikina City is part of the Metro Luzon Super Region (also known as the Urban Beltway).
At present, the shoe industry has become a pride of the country and a boost to the growth of its economy. The city also now boasts of hosting other big companies, multinationals and local, as well as leading exporting firms. Numerous banks, land development firms, residential realty, business center, industrial centers, commercial centers, information and communication technology centers, hotels and condominiums is also boasts the city that Marikina rapidly into a highly urbanized city in a short time.
Marikina City today is a multi-awarded metropolitan city, often cited for its vibrant economy, a highly-skilled and literate work force, an involved and enlightened business community, environmental awareness, people discipline and a responsive local government that puts a premium on governance, sustainable urban development and public service.
Brief History Spanish Period The Augustinians were the first to arrive at the valley, at the spot now known as Chorillo, in Barangay Barangka. The Jesuits next came in 1630 in a place called Jesus Dela Pena. They established a mission and built a chapel where the first mass in Marikina was said. The area was later called Mariquina in 1687 and Mariquina was declared a pueblo (town) under the Spanish colonial government. Andres Bonifacio also arrived in Mariquina before he and his Katipuneros proceeded to the caves of Montalban. Later, when the Philippine Revolution broke out, Mariquina became the capital of the province of Manila from 1898 to 1899, a period which declare the Philippine Independence by Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine president, in Kawit, Cavite.
During 20th Century Shortly after the United States took possession of the Philippines, its name officially became "Marikina" and the province of Rizal was created on June 11, 1901 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.
On November 7, 1975, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 824, the twelve western towns of Rizal, including Marikina, were made part of the new Metropolitan Manila Area. By the turn of the 20th century, Marikina had emerged as a town of shoemakers. Honed by years of shoe manufacturing, the natives had developed a work ethic that prepared them for the arrival of heavy industries in the 1950's. With the industrial plants came waves of workers who chose to stay, rapidly increasing the population. The city soon became a victim of runaway growth, resulting in the Marikina River being polluted by the factories and squatters along the riverbanks.
Dynamic Transformation In 1992, the city found a new direction under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Bayani Fernando (now, Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority). By dint of hard work and discipline, guided by the vision of a modern, livable city, Marikina has since been transformed into the beautiful urban city that it is now.
