Featured image above shows workers of C-Point Show Store in Marikina City dwarfed by the leather leviathan as they restore the iconic giant pair of shoes as culture treasure for future generations. (Images: Marikina LGU)
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MARIKINA CITY, June 10, 2026 (SDN) — If you have not seen it yet, now is the time to go and marvel at the city’s iconic giant pair of footwear that had already landed in the Guinness World Record.
And it’s because it’s now displayed at the City Hall, greeting every visitor who can’t help but marvel at the pair of shoes that’s as big as a car!
It had been fully restored by expert shoemakers at C-Point Shoe Store, restoring its glamor and splendor like never before.
City Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro ordered recently the restoration work on the shoes which had seen the worse of the elements, faded, discolored, and looking like it walked through a gauntlet of torture and punishment.
In a statement sent to members of the media covering Eastern Metro Manila, notably the PaMaMaRiSan Rizal Press Club, it was learned the goal is to preserve the pair of the mammoth footwear for Marikina City, most popularly known and rightfully earning the nickname as the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines”.
The pair of shoes already earned the distinction as the world’s largest shoes through Guinness World Record. Now, its brought back at the City Hall for public viewing
Teodoro cited the significance of the restoration work, saying that preserving cultural heritage helps safeguard the history, traditions, and achievements that shape a community’s identify and collective memory.
“Our cultural heritage tells the story of who we are and where we came from. By preserving it, we ensure that future generations can appreciate the traditions, achievements, and values that helped shape Marikina,” she emphasizes.
On Monday, June 8, the city chief executive, together with city officials and employees, unveiled the newly restored shoes at City Hall.
More images of colossal shoes which is said to fit in 30 people
Originally crafted by a nine-member team from Colossal Footwear in October 2002, the 18-foot-long leather shoes earned recognition from Guinness World Records as the largest pair of shoes in the world that same year.
Since then, the giant shoes have become one of Marikina’s most recognizable landmarks, symbolizing the city’s shoemaking industry.
Over the years, however, the shoes became dilapidated and sustained damage from the massive flooding caused by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 and Typhoon Ulysses in 2020, prompting their removal from public display for repair, restoration, and rehabilitation.
The latest restoration was undertaken by the City Government of Marikina in partnership with local shoe manufacturer C-Point and the Philippine Footwear Federation, Inc. (PFFI).
The mayor said the shoes are temporarily displayed at City Hall to make them more accessible to residents and visitors.
“For now, we have placed the shoes for display at the City Hall since it’s more convenient and accessible for people to see Marikina’s world-renowned shoes. We encourage visitors from other cities to come to the City Hall to view the shoes, and for our own residents to take pride in our heritage as shoemakers,” she said.
The local chief executive also underscored the city government’s continuing efforts to preserve local heritage and strengthen civic pride.
“Heritage gives us a sense of identity and reminds us of the values that shaped our city. But remembering the past is only meaningful if it helps guide the future,” Teodoro says.
“Our task today is to build on that legacy and create greater opportunities for future generations of Marikenyos,” she adds.
Marikina’s leadership once again displayed for public viewing the landmark pair of leviathan footwear as the city’s traditional annual “Balik Eskwela Shoe Bazaar that opened on May 18 is still ongoing until June 21.
Balik Eskwela Show Bazaar back for School Year 2026-2027
Being offered at considerably lower prices at the bazaar are basic goods, and back-to-school supplies and, of course, quality leather shoes at affordable prices.
The offerings are intended for students, teachers, and everyone who may need quality products Made in Marikina as School Year 2026-2027 is now ongoing.
Mayor Maan Teodoro and Marikina Congressman Marcy Teodoro led the formal opening of the bazaar, with the participation of city councilors, and Philippine Footwear Federation, Inc. (PFFI) President Nick Dela Paz. The PFFI organized the bazaar in coordination with the Marikina local government unit (LGU).
The mayor said the bazaar is an opportunity for families with students among them to buy inexpensive quality leather shoes. She said it is also another way of helping the shoemakers of Marikina, who have been the main drivers in preserving the city’s love affair with shoes.
A total of 39 local shoe manufacturers have trade exhibits at the bazaar located at the Marikina Freedom Park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. — EDD K. USMAN