May 24, 2009

Marikina Shoe Museum


It's just fitting that Marikina City, being popularly known as the shoe capital of the Philippines , houses the Shoe Museum.   Where else could you find an annual Sapatos Festival (Sept. 9), a fully motorized running high heel, giant shoes in the middle of the river and home of the world's largest shoes (Marikina Riverbanks) than in Marikina !


Located along JP. Rizal St. and just across the Our Lady of the Abandoned Church is the Shoe Museum.   The museum holds shoes of several famous people including a pair of shoes from each president of the Philippines in chronological order.   Other shoes note worthing are those of celebrities, ambassadors, political figures and even traditional shoes from several countries.   On the 2nd floor, you'll read history about shoe making including life-size mannequins depicting the art of shoemaking.  You'll also find some unusual shoe sizes like one being 3 feet long.   


The main bulk of shoes on display was contribued by former first lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos... 749 pairs to be exact.   You'll see all different kinds of shoes she owned for different occasions.  Shoes both made in Marikina and made abroad with different brands, styles, shapes and colors are all on display.   A huge portrait of Imelda is also hanging above serving as a mini-shrine for her shoe collection below.

Entrace to the Museum is P20. for Marikina residents and P40. for non-residents.   Unfortunately, picture and video taking inside the museum is not allowed.  The museum is open from Mondays through Saturdays from 9am till 5pm.

Update: We've been informed that the new entrance fee is P50.
Update as of April 25, 2013: The Shoe Museum is open everyday Monday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm except holidays

39 comments:

  1. I am a victim of your unreliable shoes. (Marikina She Exchange.(MSE)) I ordered a sandal worth P595.00 but I was very very very disappointed when my order arrived because its so unbelievable that the sandal that was delivered was a repaired one because I can see clearly with my eyes the rugby they use in repairing the said sandal. It doesn't look like a brand new one, instead it is looks like it was being repaired by a Grade 1 kid. I think MSE is a big shoe company but why they fool people that way. The worst thing is, the dealer said, I can't give back the said sandal though it doesn't worth the price. There are many victims here in Baguio city but I was only the one who had the chance to comment on your site. The dealers of MSE here always tell that it's not their fault, they said it's the company. Please make amendments in your rules. Customers should have the right to return the goods if doesn't worth enough and just like my case...

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    1. MSE is no affiliations with the city govt of Marikina and the Shoe Museum itself, contact their office, search it!

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    2. Museum is open daily 08.00 to 17.00. Trust me, I visited on 10th Feb 2023 and double checked with the person in charge. Also, if you phone in advance (Mon - Fri) they can organise other visits, like to a factory. Marakini is very proud of its shoe-making history and wishes to share. Phone number is 8646 18 23 Monday - Friday only and ask for Mae.
      The museum is beautfully arranged and there's plenty to see including over 250 pairs of Imelda Marcos's vast shoe collection (approx 3000 in total). There are some interesting designs from a competition in 2014 and shoes owned by famed Filipinos such as former presidents and mayors of Manila. Well worth a visit (500 pesos for foreigners) and a wandere around the area to see shoes being made, and the local public market if you need to buy any. Plus, there's a fabulous cafe next door - Sundays.

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    3. Museum is open daily 08.00 to 17.00. Trust me, I visited on 10th Feb 2023 and double checked with the person in charge. Also, if you phone in advance (Mon - Fri) they can organise other visits, like to a factory. Marakini is very proud of its shoe-making history and wishes to share. Phone number is 8646 18 23 Monday - Friday only and ask for Mae.
      The museum is beautfully arranged and there's plenty to see including over 250 pairs of Imelda Marcos's vast shoe collection (approx 3000 in total). There are some interesting designs from a competition in 2014 and shoes owned by famed Filipinos such as former presidents and mayors of Manila. Well worth a visit (500 pesos for foreigners) and a wandere around the area to see shoes being made, and the local public market if you need to buy any. Plus, there's a fabulous cafe next door - Sundays.

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  2. @Anonymous: Sorry to hear your unfortunate experience. As far as I know, the Marikina Shoe Museum though has no affiliation with the Marikina Shoe Exchange. The shoes displayed in the museum are all old and historical. You can try to take it up directly with the MSE.

    I also suggest that if you can find a pair of shoes that's the closest possible design and feel to the pair you like, then buy it, as opposed to having a custom-made pair. I only say this based on your experience so you could see the actual pair of shoes before even deciding to buy it or not.

    The Marikina Riverbanks mall also has a wide array of Marikina shoes at lower prices. You could check them out there:
    Marikina Riverbanks mall

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  3. can i bye shoes worn by imelda marcos?

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    1. "can i bye..."
      C'mon!!! think before you click... it's BUY!

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  4. The shoes in the museum are not for sale, only for display.

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  5. Why is it that visitors can't take pictures inside? That is such a turn-off since most travelers are bloggers. I wish taking photos was okay however limited to not being able to use flash. Some even more classy museums like the one inside RCBC Plaza do allow taking pictures although limited to certain items only.

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    1. You can take pictures inside the museum...

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  6. what is your contact number?

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  7. The museum is nice but very small. I had to pay 50 Pesos although this website says only Php40 for non-residence. The entire exhibit took about 15 minutes. I wouldn't take a trip to go there but a nice quick stop in you're already in the area.

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  8. I haven't really seen that museum. I think it's the only place in the Philippines that has that kind of museum. It looks good to be there.

    office space

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  9. I read this blog earlier at first I was worried that I won't be able to take pictures inside the museum but luckily we went there this afternoon, the staff allowed us to take unlimited pictures! Awesome!

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  10. Ruthie, that's good. Cause a couple of years back, they didn't allow photography.

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  11. Hi,
    Is it possible for you to edit the things previously written? The entrance fee is now P50 and video/picture taking is now allowed. Thanks :)

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  12. Hi Jay!We're from Bacoor Cavite, can you give us instructions on how to get to Marikina Shoe Museum (Rides to take) Thanks in advance! - Lory

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  13. You can use the map above as reference but if you're going to commute here's the easiest way. Take an EDSA bus and get off at Cubao. From Aurora blvd, ride the Cubao-Calumpang jeeps. The jeep will pass in front of The Shoe Museum. Your landmark is that once the jeep crosses the Marikina River, it will make a right turn (J.P. Rizal). Less than a kilometer from there, you'll see the San Roque church to your right and the Otto shoe factory outlet to your left. Get off there and you'll see the Marikina Shoe Museum just beside Otto.

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  14. thank you for the comments and suggestions.. The Shoe Museum is open everyday Monday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm except holidays.. assisting you is our pleasure.. This is Jane, Shoe Museum Manager.. thank you for this site for helping the Shoe Museum and Shoe Industry of Marikina.. if you want to buy a high quality made shoes and a factory price we a whole year round marikina made products sale, you may visit marikina trade fair that offers Marikina owned products like shoes, slippers, bags, wallets and a lot more.. it was located beside Marikina Sports Park near Mcdonald.. hope to see you guys at the Shoe Museum.. :) continue patronizing local made shoes.. Marikina Shoes.. you may contact me at 0928626-0510

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  15. We're planning to be one of the distributor of Shoes which made in the Philippines to be distribute in Cruising Ship as a standard safety procedures of our cruise company and Marikina Shoes is one of our first choice
    If you can help which one can i contact regarding on this matter pls.contact me 09164024960

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  16. A shoe museum in Marikina eh... Haven't seen that one before. I wonder, are those shoes displayed inside the building available for purchase? Too bad there are only few pictures presented above and they are all small, readers can't see the designs and style of their samples. I guess we just have to go there and see for ourselves, after all taking of pictures inside is not allowed. Safety Shoes Philippines

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  17. how does it build the cultural identity of Marikina?

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  18. Hi!How do you commute from Katipunan to the Shoe Museum? :)

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  19. From Katipunan, head to Aurora Blvd. and just outside of the Katipunan MRT station (Eastbound), ride the Cubao-Calumpang jeep. When the jeep crosses the Marikina River, it will turn left at JP. Rizal St. A few hundred meters away is a church at the left side and Kapitan Moy and Otto Shoe factory on the right side, immediately after to the right is the Marikina Shoe Museum.

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  20. I just went here with my boyfriend last weekend. It was fun! :) http://leapyearlola.blogspot.com/2013/10/shoe-fetish-at-marikina-shoe-museum.html

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  21. On seeing the picture giant pink heel car remembers me my girl friend's favorite heels and the day she ran with that heels on a race she got runner up but unfortunately she slip and fall after touching the finishing line.(Sooooooooooooooooo sad) .
    http://slipandfallattorneyphiladelphia.net/

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  22. can i take pictures inside the museum? for case study and promoting the museum as a tourist destination.

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  23. The last time I was there, there was a sign that said no photography. And they also call your attention if you do. But not sure if that may have changed. After all, everybody has a camera nowadays.

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  24. what are the machines in making slippers and what are the process?i just need it for my feasibility study

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  25. I am writing a research paper and collecting information on this topic. Your post is one of the better that I have read. Thank you for putting this information into one location.

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  26. I visited the Shoe Museum yesterday.

    It would be nice if the Shoe Museum included a history of the production of shoes in Marikina, and shoes made in Marikina.

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  27. hi thanks for this information... does anyone of you can refer a shoe manufacturing/factory in marikina for our business?

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  28. Hello everybody, aside from this museum you can also include in your itineraries our Museums for the Mind and Spirit here at Riverbanks Center. This includes the Belen Museum, Museum of Miniatures and The Joey Velasco Gallery. For more information, you may click the link: http://riverbankscenter.com/learn-play

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  29. Ohh if it’s not allowed to take pictures as a souvenir then it’s disappointing 😢😢sad..

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  30. Great display of shoes, with historic photos of vatious world leaders and shoes worn by Imelda Marcos. The security was on duty on Philippine National Day who was most helpful and took our photo.There is an Otto Shoe Factory about 200 metres from the museum, which sells to the public and is inexpensive with teriffic designs.

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  31. Is this museum still open? If do, What is the cost and what are the hours?

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