Marikina

Marikina is known as the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines" for its long history of shoe manufacturing, centred along the cluster of shoe factories and shops on Kapitan Moy and Shoe Avenue. The city sits east of Quezon City along the Marikina River valley, at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountain range. It is one of the more organized and flood-controlled cities in Metro Manila, thanks to the Marikina River Control System built after devastating Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009. The population is about 450,000. Climate follows Metro Manila's tropical pattern, though being inland it gets slightly cooler evenings.

Marikina is accessible via LRT-2 stations (Marikina, Santolan, Katipunan) and jeepneys from Cubao and Pasig. By car, take Marcos Highway or Sumulong Highway from Quezon City, or the Marikina–Infanta Highway from Rizal.

Tricycles are the most common form of neighbourhood transport. Jeepneys run along the main avenues (Marcos Highway, Gil Fernando Avenue, Shoe Avenue). LRT-2 links Marikina to Quezon City and Manila.

• Marikina Shoe Museum — Housed in the old city hall building along the riverbank, this museum showcases over 1,000 pairs of shoes, including those of Imelda Marcos, local celebrities, and Presidents. Entry ₱50. Open Tue–Sun 9AM–5PM.

• Marikina River Park — A 10-km bike and jogging path along both banks of the Marikina River. Includes basketball courts, an amphitheatre, and playgrounds.

• Our Lady of the Abandoned Church (Marikina Cathedral) — A neo-Gothic church built in 1834, with a distinctive three-storey bell tower.

• Sendong Museum — A museum dedicated to Typhoon Ondoy (2009), documenting the disaster and the city's flood-control efforts.

• Bike along the Marikina River Park — Bikes available for rent (₱50–100 per hour) at the River Park. One of Metro Manila's best urban cycling routes.

• Take a shoe-making workshop — Several factories along Shoe Avenue offer short workshops (book in advance).

• Eat Fresh (Riverbanks Center) — A Filipino restaurant known for bulalo and boneless bangus. Meals ₱200–400.
• Lorenzo's Way (Gil Fernando Avenue) — Serves Filipino comfort food like sinigang na baboy, crispy pata, and lechon kawali. ₱300–500 per main.
• Chowking (along Marcos Highway) — Fast-food chain for Chinese-Filipino meals and halo-halo.

• Ristretto Coffee (Riverbanks Center) — Local coffee shop serving espresso drinks and pastries.

• Budget: RedDoorz near Marikina Riverbanks (rooms from ₱800).
• Mid-range: H&V Marikina Hotel (Gil Fernando Avenue, rooms from ₱1,800).

• Shoe Avenue — Dozens of shoe stores and factory outlets selling locally made leather shoes, rubber shoes, sandals, and boots at factory prices (₱300–1,500).
• Marikina Public Market — Fresh produce, meat, and seafood. The market also sells native delicacies from the surrounding Rizal Province.

• Antipolo (30 min by jeepney) — The pilgrimage city in Rizal with the Antipolo Cathedral and panoramic views of Metro Manila.
• Quezon City (15 min via LRT-2) — The Quezon Memorial Circle and Maginhawa food strip.
• Masungi Georeserve (1.5 hours east) — A limestone karst conservation area with hanging bridges and spectacular views.