The Philippines showcased Marikina City’s renowned shoemaking industry to Southeast Asian officials and delegates during a cultural tour held on Friday, November 6, as part of activities surrounding the 36th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary and ASCC Chair Rex Gatchalian led the delegation in visiting Gibi Shoes Factory, Nifty Shoes Prestige, and the Marikina Shoe Museum, highlighting the city’s rich footwear-making heritage and the craftsmanship of Filipino artisans.
The activity provided ASEAN representatives with an opportunity to learn about the history, production techniques, and creative traditions that have established Marikina as one of the Philippines’ leading centers of shoemaking.
During a guided tour of the Marikina Shoe Museum, delegates explored the development of the local footwear industry and its contribution to the city’s cultural identity and economic activity.
The visitors also toured the three-story Gibi Shoes Factory, where they observed the various stages of shoe production and the skills involved in manufacturing locally made footwear.
At Nifty Shoes, the delegates participated in a do-it-yourself sandal-making workshop, allowing them to experience firsthand the craftsmanship required to produce footwear.
Each participant created a pair of sandals that they could take home as a souvenir of their visit.
The cultural tour brought together senior officials and representatives from ASEAN member states, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Among the participating officials were DSWD Policy and Planning Group Undersecretary and Senior Officials Committee for the ASCC (SOCA) Chair Adonis Sulit, Brunei Darussalam Permanent Secretary Aliuddin Haji Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Secretary-General Dato’ Shaharuddin Bin Abu Sohot, and Singapore Permanent Secretary Aubeck Kam.
Other participants included representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, along with ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the Socio-Cultural Community San Lwin.
The activity was organized through the efforts of the DSWD and the Department of Tourism-National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) as part of initiatives to introduce ASEAN delegates to the Philippines’ cultural heritage and traditional industries.
Beyond promoting tourism, the visit highlighted the importance of preserving local craftsmanship and supporting industries that provide livelihood opportunities to Filipino workers and entrepreneurs.
Marikina has long been recognized for its footwear industry, with generations of shoemakers contributing to the city’s reputation for quality craftsmanship and locally manufactured shoes.
The cultural tour also provided an opportunity to promote Filipino-made products to international visitors and strengthen appreciation for traditional industries within the ASEAN region.
Through the activity, the DSWD and DOT-NCR sought to highlight the creativity, technical skills, and craftsmanship of Filipino shoemakers while presenting Marikina as a destination for cultural and industrial tourism.
The visit formed part of the Philippines’ broader efforts to showcase its cultural heritage and local industries during ASEAN-related engagements.
