After dining at Rustic Mornings, Mike and I strolled around the area and explored a little. In the middle of a grassy area, next to a white fountain, was a humongous (and very random) high-heeled stiletto pump shoe made of leaves and steel. What did I do? Why, what else do you do when you see a giant shoe? You get IN it!
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| Photo By: Mike Smith / Miguel Lazatin |
It’s not so unusual to see a large replica of a shoe in the middle of nowhere in Marikina because after all, the city is known as “the shoe capital of the Philippines.”
Remember that “little old lady who lived in a shoe”? Her house probably looked something like this.
This little girl looks like she’s practicing to be Little Miss Marikina.
It’s no wonder that they even have a museum dedicated entirely to shoes: The Marikina Shoe Museum.
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| Photo By: Mike Smith / Miguel Lazatin |
The museum houses shoes of all shapes, colors, and sizes — some are chic, some are funny, and some are just wildly outrageous. Inside, you can find traditional footwear from various parts of the world.
Look at those shoes from Brazil! The Spice Girls’ 5-inch platform shoes look stubby compared to those!
Those sandals from Maldives (third from left)… how the hell do you keep them on your feet if they have no straps?
You will also find shoes owned by notable individuals such as presidents of the Philippines (in chronological order), various political figures, and media personalities and celebrities.
90% of the shoes you will find on display in the museum belonged to the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, who is well-known for her massive collection of shoes. (It was said that she owned 3,000 pairs of shoes!) In Marikina Life’s blog, they mentioned that in the museum, you will find 749 pairs of shoes donated by the former first lady. The rest are kept in the National Museum. My mom often complained that I buy too many shoes. Wait ’til you see this, mom!
Really, Imelda?! How many pairs of black pumps do you actually need?
The former first lady’s shoe collection. And that’s not even all of it yet!
One of every color and shade. Just because she can afford it!
New lady love, Mike?
Furry pastel sandals! I actually think these ones are cute.
Kind of hard to imagine Imelda Marcos wearing boots. Funky!
Giiiirl, may I please borrow some of your shoes?
Here are the rest of the photos we took while inside the museum:
Now THAT is a shoe fetish.
Athlete’s foot.
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| Photo By: Mike Smith / Miguel Lazatin |
The museum has two floors. The second floor is just an extension of Imelda’s shoe closet.
I was so tempted to pluck one of them out!
The artisans are busy at work.
“Not bad, son. It just needs a little more polishing.”
“Make me a pair of Louboutins… NOW!!!”
I love baby things, so I loved this drawer of baby shoes!
Traditional Filipiniana dress and barong Tagalog
Read about the history of shoe-making in Manila
Cool shoe phone!
I told you the museum houses shoes of all shapes, colors, and sizes! See? They even have a shoe sofa!
The entrance fee to the museum is only PHP 50 so if you have 50 bucks to spare and got nothing to do, step inside (pardon the pun!) the Marikina Shoe Museum. Cameras are allowed inside the museum. Fitting of Imelda’s shoes, however, is not. Sorry, girls!
The Marikina Shoe Museum
Address: J.P. Rizal st. cor. Isabelo St., Marikina City
Phone: (MCTTIPO Office) (02) 646 2368 / 69
Driving Directions: View map
How to get to the Marikina Shoe Museum by public transport:
1. Ride the MRT-3 and get off at Cubao station
2. Ride the LRT-2 and get off at Katipunan station
3. Ride the jeep with the “Calumpang” sign
4. Get off at J.P. Rizal St. cor. Isabelo Mendoza St. (Landmarks are: Otto, Our Lady of the Abandoned Church)
