Souelas Stories

MEET AND GREET

Get to know these individuals, from the Marikina Shoemaking community and Gen Z supporters along with their personal journeys in supporting the Marikina Shoemaking tradition. 

THE HANDS THAT BRING THEM BACK TO LIFE

Introducing these individuals from the Marikina shoemaking community who have continued honing their creations throughout the years of experience. Every meticulous craft and dedication in creating these shoes reflects the city’s long held legacy that was built with skills, patience and artistry. These individuals aim to highlight their experiences where every pair of shoes shares an important story of their heritage. 

SIR DENNIS

Known as the Creative Director from OTTO shoes.  Dennis Caballes shares his background in business management and marketing along with the struggles and prospects of current shoemakers in Marikina City.

"Talagang mas tiyga dapat ngayon mas nay tiyaga may sakripisyo pag talaga pag may pagmamahal talaga sa may sapatos"

-DENNIS CABALLES

SIR DENNIS

CREATVIE DIRECTOR

SIR DENNIS

Roweliza Landicho is a shoemaker and designer who shares her experience in building her own brand as well as the challenges she faced with the industry.

 

"Bawat proseso kailangan eksakto at maayos."

-ROWELIZA LANDICHO

MS. ROWELIZA

SHOE DESIGNER

SIR DENNIS

Known for his craftsmanship skills in making high quality footwear, Kuya Pando shares his story on how the Pando Shoe Shop began its journey in representing the shoemaking heritage of Marikina CIty.


"Ang pinaglalaban lang namin ay quality dahil handmade. Iba ang tibay ng handmade kaysa machine."

- FERNANDO LOPEZ

KUYA PANDO

SHOEMAKER 

SIR DENNIS

Recognized as the "The Presidential Shoemaker", Tatay Oly share his story on how he became one of the symbol of Marikina shoemakers, valuing handmade technique in making high quality footwear.

"Kung ikaw ay matanda na... tingin mo ayos, pero daliri mo pala ang pinupukpok mo."

-ROLANDO 'OLI' SANTOS

TATAY OLY

SHOEMAKER

SIR DENNIS

Carolina Marquez the owner and shoemaker of Pelina Shoes shares her story on starting her own buisness in making afforable footwear for women.

 

"Sa magulang ko, kinalakihan ko na ang paggawa ng sapatos."

- CAROLINA MARQUEZ

MS. CAROLINA

SHOE DESIGNER

SIR DENNIS

Sylvia Epetia shares her story on how she began working in Risque designs and why support from the younger generation is a must to keep the tradition alive.

 

"Napakahalaga talaga na mahimok ang mga kabataan na matutong magsapatos."

-SYLVIA EPETIA

MS. SYLVIA

SHOEMAKER 

SIR DENNIS

Noe Evanglista the owner of C-Point shares his expertise with initiatives to help preserve further the cultural identity of Marikina shoemaking.

"Ang culture at tradition kase ang sapatusan dito sa Marikina. Pagnawala ang industriya, wala na po yung kikilalahin na mundo na Marikina "Shoe Capatial of the Philippines""

-NOEL EVANGELISTA

SIR. NOEL

OWNER OF CPOINT

SIR DENNIS

Aaron Angeles the CEO of Godather Shoe share his story on how his passion for shoes made him decide to venture within the local shoemaking industry.

 

"Yung mundo ng entreprenuers in the Philippines. Kumbaga hindi lang sa indsutry namin pero magupgrade a rin. So this time around meron malaking chance ang mga Filipino"

-AARON ANGELES

SIR AARON

CEO OF GODFATHER SHOES

SIR DENNIS

Judy Camer the venue manager of the Marikina Shoe Museum share her expertise of the development of the Marikina shoemaking museum.

"Nakita nila yung shoe museum parang sinabi natuwa sila napaganda dito sa shoe museum. Parang na inspired sila"

-JUDY CAMER

MS. JUDY

VENUE MANAGER

THE SOLE MOVEMENT KEEPERS

Through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to real-world impact, introducing these Filipino Gen Zs who had played a huge role in sustaining the legacy of Marikina shoemaking through their continuous support and cultural pride. Their voices contributed in bringing further recognition towards the long held shoemaking tradition in Marikina city, hoping to encourage other Filipinos within their generation to carry on with the legacy through continuous appreciation of the craft.

SIR DENNIS

As a shoe consumer Eileen shares her experience on what it is like to support Marikina made footwear.

"I think it's very important for Gen Zs to be like the people who start to buy our own products because we set the trends, and the youth are the most revolutionary, I would say."

-EILEEN

EILEEN

SHOE CONSUMER

SIR DENNIS

As a shoe consumer Rarri shares his experience on what it is like to support Marikina made footwear.

"To help make the Gen Z know more about the shoemakers here in the Philippines, we need to showcase that the process of making these shoes by veterinarian shoemakers from are of great quality"

 

-RARRI

RARRI

SHOE CONSUMER

SIR DENNIS

As a shoe consumer Kai shares her experience on what it is like to support Marikina made footwear.

"We can share this with anyone, through online or even through word of mouth, as it is really important to spread and increase awareness on this kind of craftsmanship they have."

-KAI

KAI

SHOE CONSUMER

THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOLE KEEPERS

Introducing these Filipino Gen Zs individuals who played a significant role in sustaining the legacy of Marikina shoemaking through experiencing what it is like to work within industry. Through experiencing the craft itself actively working within business operations, these young individuals have set an example on how continuous efforts in preserving the craft by the younger generations can help carry a better future for the local shoe industry. 

SIR DENNIS

As a Cpoint Intern Angeline shares her experiences on what its like doing the craft first hand.

"Noong una po hindi po kami interested when it comes sa pagawa ng sapatos pero noong nakapasok kami sa C-Point, doon po namin naapreciate lahat ang tinuturo samin ng professor"

-ANGELINE

ANGELINE

SHOE INTERN

SIR DENNIS

As a Cpoint Intern Angeline shares her experiences on what its like doing the craft first hand.

"Base po sa experience namin hindi lang basta ang pagawa ng sapatos, dumadaan sya sa ibat-ibang process"

-MAXINE

MAXINE

SHOE INTERN

SIR DENNIS

As a Staff manager of Godfather shoes Deza shares her experiences on what its like working on the operations team in Godfather shoes.

"Sa mga little things sa pagbili noon, natutulong yun sa kanila you are not just buying shoes your helping them put food doon sa kanilang table "

-DEZA

DEZA

STAFF MANAGER

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