Marikina City

Marikina City is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila, and is the most industrialized city in the National Capital Region.

Marikina City was given the title "The Shoe Capital of the Philippines" because of its remarkable shoe industry and since then it has become an ideal location for industry, business, commerce and for residences. Today Marikina City is considered as one of the healthiest cities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Approximately 21 kilometers away from Manila and lying within the coordinates 14deg 37'N and 121deg 04'E, Marikina City is located along the eastern border of Metro manila. It is bordered on the west by Quezon City, the east by Antipolo City of Rizal province, on the north by San Mateo, Rizal, and on the south by Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal.

The city lies on a lush valley, the Marikina Valley, bounded by mountain ranges and slices by a river, the Marikina River, that runs through the central portion of the city. The dynamic Sierra Madre Mountains, the longest mountain range inthe country, is located at the eastern portion, while the Quezon City Hills are located at the west.

In history, the Agustinians were the first to arrive inthe valley, followed by the Jesuits in 1630. They established a mission and built a chapel in Mariquina, where the first mass was then held. In 1687, Mariquina was declared a pueblo or town under the Spanish colonial government, and its name officially became "Marikina" shortly after the United States took possession of the Philippines. This was in June 11, 1901, when the adjacent province of Rizal was also created. By the turn of the 20th sentury, Marikina had emerged as a town of shoemakers. With the industrial plant came waves of workers who chose to stay, rapidly increasing the population. In December 8, 1996, Marikina became a chartered city and transformed promptly into a highly urbanized city. At present, the shoe industry has become a pride of the country and a boost to the growth of its economy.

Apart from the shoe industry, Marikina City also now boasts of hosting other big companies, multinational and local, as well as leading exporting firms. Marikina rapidly became a highly urbanized city in a short time, with its numerous banks, land development firmst, residential realty, business centers, industrial centers, commercial centers, information and communication technology centers, hotels and condominiums.

For the visitors to the city, one of the popular spots that attract them is the Blue Wave Mall at Marquinton compound. It offers a variety of popular stores for convenient shopping. The Riverbanks Center is another commercial area that is quite appealing to the public. one will find almost everything here, such as boutiques, cell phone shops, food stands, fastfood chains, etc., at reasonable prices. It is quite unique because it is situated by the river.

For those more interested in cultural sites, the Sentrong Pangkultura ng Marikina would be quite a treat. It is a 200-year old building which serves as a center of culture and arts in Marikina. This is where the first pair of shoes in Marikina was designed and made in 1887. The Doll Museum can also be found in this building. Teatro Marikina is another site worth visiting. It is the venue where notable concerts and plays and the pre-pageant of Miss Earth in the Philippines was held. It also caters to various events, such as shows, graduations, exhibits, and seminars.

For the more religious folks, there is the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned. This sacred place of worship was built by the Augustinians in the 1600's and has undergone a series of renovations, necessary due to damages caused by earthquakes and fires in the 19th century. Also in Marikina City, the World of Butterflies attracts the nature-loving locals and vacationers alike. It has a very good ambiance comfortable to the hundreds of free-flying butterflies in different varieties and sizes.