Marikina and Antipolo: Neighboring Cities with Unique Appeal

Visitors can have different experiences in the Philippines' Marikina City and Antipolo City, two nearby cities. Despite being close by geographically, they are distinguished from one another by their distinct cultures, tourist destinations, and scenic views.

one of the many shoe factories in Marikina City

Known as the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines," Marikina City has a long history of producing shoes. Numerous shoe factories and stores can be found around the city, offering a vast selection of fashionable and reasonably priced footwear to tourists. With parks, riverbanks, and nature reserves, Marikina has natural beauty beyond its industrial side. A well-liked location for leisurely walks is the Marikina River Park.

Known as the "Pilgrimage capital of the Philippines" for the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (popularly known as the Antipolo Cathedral), Antipolo City is a spiritual retreat for a large number of Filipinos. All year long, the church, which is positioned on a hilltop with a view of the city, draws countless devotees. In addition to its religious importance, Antipolo is a well-liked vacation spot for naturalists. The city is the ideal getaway from the bustle of daily life, surrounded by verdant forests, waterfalls, and hiking paths.

restaurants in Antipolo City with picturesque views

Exploring the Adjacent Attractions:

Discover the history of shoemaking in the Philippines at the Marikina Shoe Museum and be amazed by the skilled work of regional craftspeople. 

Foodies will be delighted to find out that there are many unique restaurants and food offerings in Marikina city.

Antipolo Cathedral: Marvel at the exquisite architecture of this historic church as you visit.

There is something for everyone in Marikina and Antipolo, whether your interests are in history, culture, or the outdoors. Given their close proximity, it is easy to visit both cities in a single trip, offering a unique and memorable experience.

Happy 18th Anniversary Shoe Museum!

The Museo ng Sapatos (Shoe Museum) in Marikina just celebrated its 18th anniversary last February 16, 2019.

A series of programs and activities such as live shoemaking exhibitions by Zapateria, a history of the museum and performances by the Marikina Dance Guild and Marikina Rondalla Band were lined up in celebration of this landmark.

Representative of the 1st district of Marikina City Bayani Fernando established the Shoe Museum on February 16, 2001 during his tenure as the Marikina City mayor to highlight Marikina's shoe industry including the shoemakers, workers, artisans and manufacturers that contribute to the city's title being the Shoe Capital of the Philippines. Hon. Fernando attended the Shoe Museum's anniversary and announced plans to file a bill in Congress that would require the national government, government agencies and other government units to buy shoes from the Philippines only, when using government funds.

To date, the Shoe Museum houses more than a thousand pairs of shoes from the country’s famous personalities, dignitaries, celebrities and former officials including presidents, senators, cabinet secretaries, diplomats and Marikina mayors. A section of the museum also houses 800 pairs of shoes from former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

The Shoe Museum is also located along J.P. Rizal St. in Brgy. Sta. Elena, a few steps away from the historic Kapitay Moy building, where the first pair of shoes in Marikina were created 1887 through the initiative of Don Laureano "Kapitan Moy" Guevara.

4 More Reasons To Visit Marikina Riverbanks

Marikina Riverbanks has been known to be a place for shopping, a park to hang out, a place to meet friends over a meal, or to see that gigantic pair of shoes on display inside Riverbanks Center.  Now there's 4 more reasons to visit Riverbanks Center.  And if you love museums, then you'll love all of these 4 reasons.

1. The Spirit of Bethlehem (Private Belen collection)

The spirit of Bethlehem is a private collection of over 500 belens/nativity sets/ posters/paintings and sculptures from all over the world. It boasts of numerous pieces from here and abroad, collected thru decades of devotion to the Infant Jesus, by its owner Gigi Abaya-Carlos. Among those on display is her very first belen set bought in 1952 at Catholic Trade School in Tayuman.

Belens/Nativity sets from different countries like the United States, Mexico, Spain, Israel, Africa, Guatemala, China, and from the different regions of the Philippines, will certainly catch your attention because they reflect the culture from where they originated. Some are made from different materials like paper mache, stones, glass, clay, resin and more. About 80% of these Belens are proudly Philippines made.

2.  Joey Velasco Gallery

Right next to The Spirit of Bethlehem is the Joey Velacso Gallery, now home to the spiritually moving art pieces and legacy of the late Joey Velasco. The artist was only 43 years old when he passed away because of a life-threatening kidney disease. Best known for his works “Hapag ng Pag-asa”, or “Table of Hope”, which depicts the Last Supper with Jesus and street children instead of the disciples, Velasco has stirred the hearts of many with his paintings.

Those who have seen his paintings will certainly attest that it is not just a gallery. Though there is an appreciation of art, it is more of a place of reflection. It is a “living museum” where art reflects the spiritual dimension of day to day living and sparks social awareness. According to Ms. Queeny Velasco, wife of the late painter/writer, it is a museum of “faith and patriotism”.

The gallery is being supported by the Joey Velasco Foundation (JVF) whose current priority is to give support to the Hapag Kids and their families of Hapag Village in Amparo, Caloocan City. JVF created livelihood projects for them, gives training to enhance their skills and other activities for the value formation of the community.

3. Philippine Science Centrum

Philippine Science Centrum (PSC) is a premier hands-on science center museum in the country recognized by the Department of Education, Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Tourism as an ideal venue for educational field trip destination where visitors are encouraged to touch, twist, play, hear, see the interactive exhibits displayed. PSC is open to pre-school to college students, families and the general public.

PSC showcases over hundred hands-on exhibits in eleven (11) exciting galleries (Lights, Bodyworks, Mathematics, Electricity & Magnetism, Water, Vision and Perception, Infectious Diseases, Earth Science, Space, Kids’ World and Mechanics) and various educational activities, outreach programs and trainings complementing the Department of Education ‘s K to 12 education curriculum and its goal of upgrading the level of science education in the country. 

Other services offered: rental of exhibits for school and corporate events, venue for birthday parties, trainings and seminars and science-related events. The 2,500 sq meters facility can comfortably accommodate 3,000 visitors in a day or 500 visitors in any given timeslot.

4.  Museum of Miniatures

After seeing all the Belens, one is awed by the collection of tiny but real-looking replicas of things you would find in all the different rooms of a European mansion. It is a collection of shadows boxes filled with Lilliputian pieces of 1:1 scale.  The miniatures are part of the collection of the late Aleli Vengua, a passionate  artist who handcrafted most of the pieces herself. A lot of the materials used were scrap  from items in our day to day living, be it plastic, wood, aluminum, fabric, and glass.

Each room is designed with so much detail and attention that one will never want to look away.

So what are you waiting for?  Come and visit the Marikina Riverbanks museums on display today!

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

View Larger Map