The city government of Marikina on Monday officially opened its Christmas Shoe Bazaar to help the local shoe industry recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro led the opening of the bazaar, which will run until January 15 at the Freedom Park, right in front of the City Hall.

A total of 40 manufacturers composed of footwear and leather goods makers participated in the bazaar.

The bazaar showcases quality, affordable, and durable shoes, bags, belts, and other products made by Marikina’s skilled craftsmen.

The prices of products sold at the bazaar range from as low as PHP100 to PHP2,500.

“Hindi tayo pwedeng igupo ng ano mang pandemya o ano mang pagsubok. Alam niyo kung bakit? Mahal natin ito eh. Hindi pwedeng pabayaan. Hanggang may isang taga Marikina na nagmamahal sa sapatos, hindi mawawala itong sapatos ng Marikina. Dahil ito ang ikinabuhay at ito ang nagsilbing pag-asa ng marami sa atin (We cannot be defeated by any pandemic or challenge. Do you know why? We love this. We cannot neglect this. As long as there is one Marikina resident who loves shoes, the shoes from Marikina will stay. This serves as our livelihood and hope),” he said.

In 2020, the city government called off the annual shoe bazaar due to restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Teodoro said the bazaar showcases the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Marikina shoemakers and manufacturers.

He also expressed hope that the 6,000 shoemakers and craftsmen in the city who were displaced by the pandemic will be able to recoup their losses.

To help local shoe manufacturers recover from the ill effects of the health crisis, Teodoro also encouraged the public to patronize footwear and other locally made products made by skilled craftsmen of the city which is known as the Philippines’ shoe capital. (PNA)