Marikina

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Marikina City
Lungsod ng Marikina
—  Highly Urbanized City  —
City of Marikina
Clockwise from top left: Cityhood Park, Largest Pair of Shoes in the world, Marikina Sports Park, Riverbanks Center, Marikina City skyline, Our Lady of the Abandoned Church, Shoe Museum, Marquinton Residences, Marcos Highway, Roman Garden at Marikina River Park, Sentrong Pangkultura ng Marikina

Seal
Nickname(s): Shoe Capital of the Philippines
Motto: "Discipline, Good Taste, Excellence"
Metro Manila showing the location of Marikina City
Marikina is located in Philippines
Marikina City
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°38′24″N 121°5′50″E / 14.64000°N 121.09722°E / 14.64000; 121.09722Coordinates: 14°38′24″N 121°5′50″E / 14.64000°N 121.09722°E / 14.64000; 121.09722
Country  Philippines
Region National Capital Region
Districts 1st and 2nd Districts of Marikina
Settled April 16, 1630
Integrated (NCR) June 1975
Cityhood December 8, 1996
Barangays 16
Government[1]
 • Mayor Del R. De Guzman (Liberal)
 • Vice Mayor Jose Fabian I. Cadiz (Liberal)
 • Representatives First District -
Marcelino Teodoro
(Liberal)
Second District -
Miro Quimbo
(Liberal)
 • City Council
Area[2]
 • Total 21.52 km2 (8.31 sq mi)
Elevation 14.7 m (48.2 ft)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 424,150
 • Density Bad rounding here20,000/km2 (Bad rounding here51,000/sq mi)
Demonym Marikenyo/Marikeño
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP Code 1800
Area code 2
Website www.marikina.gov.ph

Marikina City ([[Filipino language|Filipino: Lungsod ng Marikina), located in the island of Luzon in the Philippines, is one of the cities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. Marikina was shortly became a former capital of the Province of Manila during the declaration of Philippine Independence from 1898 to 1899.

Marikina was given the title the Shoe Capital of the Philippines because of its notable shoe industry, being the biggest manufacturer of shoes in the Philippines, producing almost 70% of shoe production in the country. Marikina currently holds the World's Largest Pair of Shoes and recognized by the Guinness World Records, also, the Shoe Museum houses part of the famous shoe collection of the former First Lady Imelda Marcos, shoes of the world leaders, celebrities and shoes of different countries, making it the largest collection of pair of shoes in the world.

Marikina awarded as the healthiest and livable city in Asia-Pacific region, hall of famer for its cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, the most awarded local government unit in Metro Manila and one of the most competitive city.

Contents

History [edit]

Colonial period [edit]

In 1570, the Augustinians were the first to arrive at the valley at the spot now known as Chorillo, in Barangka. The Jesuits next came to arrive and they established a mission and built a chapel in a place now called Jesús Dela Peña, where the first mass was held in 1630. On April 16, 1630, Fray Pedro de Arce, apostolic ruler of the Archbishop of Manila, approved the transfer of ecclesiastical control and supervision to the Jesuits, and settled a place as a town. The area was later called "Mariquina" after it named to Felix Berenguer de Marquina in 1787 who was the governor-general at that time, and the town was declared a pueblo under the Spanish colonial government. That year, Don Benito Mendoza became the first Gobernadorcillo of Mariquina.

In 1800s, Hacienda Mariquina was owned and administered by the Tuazon family and had become the biggest in the Philippines. The hacienda was declared a mayorazgo by the Spanish colonial government. Don Juan Gregorio became the first Alcalde Capitan of Mariquina in 1822. In 1887, Mariquina emerged as a town of shoemakers. Shoe-making began through the pioneering efforts of Don Laureano "Kapitan Moy" Guevarra (known as the father of shoe industry in the Philippines), assisted by Tiburcio Eustaquio, Ambrocio Sta. Ines, and Gervacio Carlos.

In 1896, Andrés Bonifacio arrived in Mariquina before he and his Katipuneros proceeded to the caves of Montalban. Mariquina became the capital of the Province of Manila (which then included Rizal) in 1898, when the Philippine Revolution broke out, a period when Philippine Independence was declared by Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine president. Don Vicente Gomez became the first Alcalde Presidente of Mariquina in 1900.

On June 11, 1901, shortly after the Americans took possession of the Philippines, its name officially became "Marikina" and the province of Rizal was created by virtue of Act No. 137 by the First Philippine Commission which during the time was acting as the unicameral legislative body in the island of Luzon. Marikina, along with many other towns around Manila were incorporated into the new province. Juan Chanyungco became the first Mayor of Marikina in 1938.

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces occupied Marikina. And in 1945, Marikina was liberated by the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth ground troops who attacked the Japanese Imperial Army by artillery from Quezon City. Almost all the big buildings including the church bell tower were destroyed. In reality, the Japanese had already left town and retreating to the north. The destruction which saw over 400 civilians casualties at the end of World War II. Some the local Filipino troops under the pre-war 4th and 42nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was entering and recaptured in Marikina and helped the U.S. liberation forces attacking the Japanese troops during the liberation.

Contemporary Period [edit]

In 1956, Marikina had emerged as a town of shoemakers again after World War II. Honed by years in shoe manufacturing, the natives had developed a work ethic that prepared them for the arrival of heavy industries, and finally named as the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines". With the industrial plants came waves of workers who chose to stay, rapidly increasing the population. The city soon became a victim of runaway growth, resulting in the Marikina River being polluted by the factories and squatters along the riverbanks. Kapitan Moy's house (and now known as Sentrong Pangkultura ng Marikina) declared a national shrine in 1968, by the town council and the National Historical Commission.

On November 7, 1975, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 824, integrating four cities and thirteen towns of Rizal including Marikina, were made part of Metropolitan Manila Area. On October 23, 1988, Typhoon Unsang brought heavy rains causing to widespread flooding in Marikina for the first time. Large part of the city was submerged by floods and many residents were stranded most of them found on their house rooftops and trees and their properties and businesses are extremely damaged.

In 1992, Marikina has since been transformed into the beautiful and industrialized urban muicipality. Marikina River transform into beautiful waterways along the beautiful parks on the riverbanks. On December 8, 1996, the municipality of Marikina became a city and transformed rapidly into a highly urbanized. Marikina City classified into first class city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8223, same date as the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion.

In 2001, under Republic Act No. 9364, Marikina City was divided into two congressional districts serving two representatives in 2007. On September 26, 2009, Marikina City was suffered and widely devastated by a flash flood from overflowed Marikina River due to torrential rains caused by Tropical Storm Ondoy. Marikina River reached 23-meter high of water. Marikina was declared under state of calamity, flood water flowed thru the towns and barangays. The national and international aides arrived immediately to the city for relief, retrieval and recovery operations.

On August 7, 2012, Marikina City suffered due to overflowed Marikina River reached almost 20 meters, a level is enough to inundate 30% of the city, due to torrential rains caused by 8-day active Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, which this period surpassed the amount of total rainfall that bring of Tropical Storm Ondoy for just 7 hours on September 26, 2009.

Geography [edit]

The location of the city lies on so-called the Marikina Valley which extends to the south towards Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal. Located along the eastern border of Metro Manila, it is bordered on the west by Quezon City, to the south by Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal, to the north by San Mateo, Rizal and to the east by Antipolo City, the capital of Rizal province. It is approximately 21 kilometers away from Manila and lies within 14°38′24″N 121°5′50″E / 14.64000°N 121.09722°E / 14.64000; 121.09722.

Area and boundaries [edit]

Marikina City is one of the large distribution in Metro Manila in terms of land area at approximately 21.5 square kilometers (2,150 hectares), about 3.37% of the total land area of Metro Manila. The city lies on so-called Marikina Valley which extends to the south towards Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal, between Sierra Madre mountains to the east and Quezon City hills to the west. Marikina River runs through the mid-west portion of the city, with its tributary including Nangka River. Nangka River runs through the north slicing between Marikina and San Mateo, while the small waterway called Sapang Baho Creek slicing the southeast between Marikina and Cainta and Antipolo City. It is also threatened by flash floods usually along the riverbanks and creekside during heavy rains. The city also lies on Marikina Valley Fault System particular in the western portion, which is one of the recently active faults discovered in the Philippines.

The southern portion of the city occupies the numerous commercial, industrial, cultural, financial and some residential areas, while the northern and northeastern portion are primarily residential areas, industrial zones and various establishments such as small and medium enterprises. Loyola Grand Villas, located at the northwest portion of the city is a rich gated community that occupies upper-middle class and rich residential areas.

Disaster prone [edit]

Marikina is prone to various disasters. Flashfloods and landslides frequent the city especially when struck by heavy rains. Primarily, flooding within the city is caused by the increase of water level in major rivers and creeks, and overflowing from its riverbanks to low-lying areas throughout the city. Landslides are another threat, particularly at the foot of the higher grounds because the soil in Marikina is malleable and shattering. The major threats are earthquakes, because the most active fault line that generates the epicenter of the earthquake is in Marikina itself. The Marikina Valley Fault System lies at the west of Marikina, the east of the fault line constantly sinking which the large portion of Marikina is included.

Climate [edit]

Marikina features a tropical monsoon climate. Together with the rest of the Philippines, Marikina lies entirely within the tropics. Its proximity to the equator means that the temperature range is very small, rarely going lower than 18 °C (64 °F) and going higher than 38 °C (100 °F). However, humidity levels are usually very high which makes it feel much warmer. It has a distinct, relatively short dry season from January through May, and a relatively lengthy wet season from June up to December.

Climate data for Marikina, Philippines
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 31
(88)		 33
(91)		 34
(93)		 34
(93)		 33
(91)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 32
(90)
Average low °C (°F) 20
(68)		 20
(68)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)
Precipitation mm (inches) 25.4
(1)		 25.4
(1)		 38.1
(1.5)		 25.4
(1)		 38.1
(1.5)		 127
(5)		 254
(10)		 431.8
(17)		 406.4
(16)		 355.6
(14)		 203.2
(8)		 152.4
(6)		 2,082.8
(82)
Source: Pagasa DOST

Demography [edit]

Population census of Marikina
Year Pop.   ±% p.a.  
1990 310,227 —    
1995 357,231 2.86%
2000 391,170 1.83%
2007 424,610 1.18%
2010 424,150 -0.04%
Source: National Statistics Office [3]

The native people in Marikina refer to themselves as "Marikeño" (or Marikenyo, in Tagalog. Marikeños are remarked to be some of the most disciplined people in the Philippines, largely due to the influences, ethics and urbanity from the past administration. Like other places in Metro Manila, the original settlers are Tagalog. Throughout the centuries, there has been constant migration of Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Cebuanos and other Visayan settlers. There are also very small migration from abroad such as Koreans, Americans, Japanese, Chinese and Indians.

Notable People

Notable people such as politicians, singers, comedians and actors are came from Marikina, some of them are residence in the city and others are native born in Marikina. See People from Marikina City.

Languages

Tagalog is widely used in and the main language in the city, while English is used in education, business, government and information technology. Other languages such as Cebuano, Bicolano, and Ilocano are prevalent among some families and their respective communities.

Religions

Marikina was one of the seats of the Spanish colonial government in the past centuries, and has been used as the base of Roman Catholic missions to the Philippines. Among the religious orders include the Dominicans, the Franciscans, the Jesuits and the Augustinians which the first to arrive in Marikina.

Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (known as Marikina Catholic Church) is the seat of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, the Patron Saint of Marikina City. Other notable churches in the city such as Jesus Dela Peña Chapel, where the first chapel established in Marikina, and Immaculate Conception Parish in Concepcion Uno, second largest church in Marikina. Other Christian faiths are found in the city like Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Members Church of God International, Philippine Independent Church, Jesus Miracle Crusade, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and some others. Other religions in Marikina are Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.

Government [edit]

Marikina City Hall

City government

Marikina City is governed by a Mayor and Vice Mayor elected to three-year terms. The Mayor is the executive head and leads the city's departments in executing the city ordinances and improving public services while the Vice Mayor heads a legislative council. Marikina named as one of the most transparent government in the Philippines. Projects and services are reflects in most areas of the city to provide a good quality of living for the residences and orderly surroundings. Every barangays has also a lone projects and providing community projects in the area as well as basic services provided for the residences. It also awarded numerous times in good governance and integrity. Marikina boasts one of the wealthiest local governments in the Philippines in terms of current assets, cash in banks, share of internal revenue allotment, gross income and gross net income.

Legislative Districts [edit]

Marikina is divided into 2 districts, Districts 1 and 2, where each districts is represented by a congressman in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. The city is divided into 16 barangays, where each barangay headed by barangay chairman (captain) and its barangay councilors.

Mayors of Marikina
Districts Barangays
District 1 Barangka, Tañong, Jesus Dela Peña, Sto. Niño, Sta. Elena, San Roque, Calumpang, Industrial Valley
District 2 Concepcion I, Concepcion II, Tumana, Marikina Heights, Fortune, Parang, Nangka, Malanday

Peace and order [edit]

Every barangay has a police station and provide security and crime prevention in the area. Fire stations are also located in strategic areas to easily access in case of fire. CCTV cameras also sets in major intersections and busiest area in the city to monitor traffic and in case of crime events. Public safety and security offices, as well as the justice hall are located near the city hall. Rescue 161 is a hotline number that provide emergencies within the city and a team of paramedics, policemen or firemen will come in less than 5 minutes.

Housing [edit]

Majority of households in the city has its own house, numerous apartments and dormitories are scattered across the city. Housing projects are also provided by local government in the city for those relocated or has no permanent resident. Villages and subdivisions in the city are among the most common housing in the entire city such as Provident and SSS Villages. Exclusive villages are also located in the city like Loyola Grand Villas and Monte Vista. Residential condominiums are now boosting in the city including Marquinton Residences, Federaland Garden Terraces, Bali Oasis, Garden Terraces Residences and Blue Tower Residences.

City seal [edit]

Marikina City Seal

The official seal of the City of Marikina bears the inscriptions Lungsod ng Marikina, Pilipinas, the year 1630 referring to the founding date of the municipality, and 1996 the year of approval of the City Charter. The two mountains represent the majestic twin ranges of the Cordillera and Sierra Madre between which the Marikina Valley nestles, traversed by the Marikina River.

The rising sun points to the eastern location of the city, with each ray representing the city's barangays. The machinery gear symbolizes its industries and the shoelast represents the traditional manufacture of the city. The torch focuses on the lofty and noble ideals for human development and a better quality of life, and is symbolic of its Hispanic culture and tradition.

The bamboo underscores a mixture of the people's natural humility and strength of character and also emphasizes the city's transition from an agricultural past to the urbanized, industrial present; while the leaves and branches symbolize order and serenity. The bamboo and the wheel represent the Marikina and its people's respect for, and protection of the environment so as to remain in harmony with progress.

Economy [edit]

Shoe economy

Marikina was the biggest manufacturer of quality shoes, and Marikina produced 80% of the shoe production in the Philippines. It also the Philippines' largest exporter of leather shoes throughout the world. All locally produced shoes are made in Marikina, from slippers to shoes. Marikina also produced shoes which is made of rubber, wood (bakya) and plastic. Marikina still the undisputed the Shoe Capital of the Philippines and even in Asia.

Local businesses

The city has a large number of internet shops, parlors, eateries, bakeries, made-to-order products such as food processing and delicacies, and franchising as their common income. The city provides job fairs, livelihood projects, free training and seminars for its people who want to start or upgrade their business.

Industries

Marikina is the home to a member of industries, some of which are the biggest and most successful in their fields, and foremost of all, shoe manufacturing, being the best in local craftmanship. Shoe and leather industry still the top livelihood in the city and generates thousands of jobs within the city.

Manufacturing

The city manufactures food processing, cigarettes, porcelain and chinaware, confectionery, automobiles and cars, appliances, electronics, crafts like bags, hats and slippers, and foremost of all, shoes.

Riverbanks Center at night
Commerce and trade

Public markets in Marikina are often divided into two, the dry goods section and the wet goods section. Commerce in these public markets are in full swing, especially in the early morning. Under the urban renewal program of the city, some of the public markets had been refurbished and given a fresher look, like the "Marikina Public Market" also known as "Marikina Market Mall", or locally called the "Pamilihang Bayan", the biggest and cleanest market in Metro Manila.

Modern shopping malls dot the city especially in the southern portion of Marikina. SM City Marikina, Blue Wave Mall at Marquinton, Robinsons Place, are some of Metro Manila's major shopping and commercial centers stands along Marcos Highway. The popular commercial center that lies in Marikina is the Riverbanks Center.

For the adventurous shoppers, you may venture beyond the hotel or shopping complex package and combine other interesting destinations for cheap buys such as in Marikina Market Mall. Bargaining is the major part of your shopping experience when you pass by that area, as it sells goods at rock-bottom prices. Riverbanks Center gives a comfort to the shoppers as it offers air-conditioned mall, but the price of the goods here is still very similar to the goods bought outside. Some of goods are cheap electronic products, toys and other cheap equipments needed into your homes.

'Banking

Almost all of the major commercial international and local, and government banks in the Philippines operate a branch in the city. Major banks operate in the city with more than one branch. At this time, there are 60 banking institutions offer banking services to businesses and residents. Most of these are concentrated in Barangay Sta. Elena, Sto. Niño, Concepcion Uno, San Roque, Calumpang and Barangka.

Information Technology

Marikina lined up as one of Information Technology hub in Metro Manila and continuously growth of outsourcing and call centers, among them is ICT Groups, Sykes, NCO, Teletech, to name a few. There are numerous contact centers worldwide with IT-based offices in the Philippines in Makati City, Ortigas Center and Riverbanks Center in Marikina City.

Infrastructure [edit]

Transportation [edit]

Platform area of the Santolan LRT Station of MRT-2 facing westward.

Currently, elevated train line run through Marikina City. The eastern station of MRT 2 is Santolan located along Marcos Highway. The station connects to the west-end, Claro M. Recto Avenue in Manila

Long before the MRT-2 finally opened its services in Santolan in Pasig-Marikina border in the early 2000s, train services had once served those cities in the past even before the World War II.

In Marikina, there is a street named "Daangbakal", also called by the names of "Shoe Avenue Extension", "Munding Avenue" and "Bagong Silang." There is also a similar "Daangbakal" in San Mateo-Montalban (Rodriguez) area, and in the maps one can notice that those two roads should have been connected. In fact, as the name suggests in Filipino, the street was once a railway. The two sides of "Daangbakal" roads are once connected by a bridge in the San Mateo-Marikina border. However, as the railways have long been abandoned and was converted to a vehicular road, the connection was long severed, and the idea of connecting the two has been abandoned as well.

The old railway, called the Marikina Line, is connected from Tutuban station in Manila, passing through Tramo, Pasig, coming all the way to Marikina up to Montalban. In the northern end of the Daangbakal road in Montablan is a basketball court. That basketball court which stands today surrounded by the Montalban Church and the Montalban Catholic Cemetery was once a railway station terminus of that line.

Today's Santo Niño Elementary School in Marikina was said to be a railway station and railway depot. And it was said, that a railway station once stands in the present-day Marikina Sports Park.

Marikina Line was completed in 1906, and continued operations until 1936. It was said that the Japanese made use of the railways during their invasion. The railways were dismantled by as late as the 1960s and was transformed to its present use.

Today, people are dependent on cars, jeepneys and taxis which contribute to the unusually and unbearable traffic in the Philippines today. Even now, there is uncertainty in the Northrail project which connects Manila to the northern part of Luzon, because of corruption and uncertainties on the railway route.

Aside from the Marikina Line, two other lines existed before but was now long been gone.

First, is the Cavite Line, which passed through Paco, Parañaque, Bacoor and up to Naic, Cavite. Completed in 1908, it continued operations until 1936.

Second, is the Antipolo Line, which passed through Santa Mesa, Pasig, Rosario, Taytay up to Antipolo near Hinulugang Taktak. There is also a Daangbakal road in Antipolo, where, like the Daangbakal roads in Marikina and San Mateo, a railway once exists. The railway also passed through what is now the present-day Ortigas Avenue. Ceased operation in 1917.

Public transportation within the city, like in most of the urban areas in the Philippines, is facilitated mostly using inexpensive jeepneys and buses. Tricycles (motorbikes with an attached two seater carriage) are the usual transportation used for short distances, while Taxi cabs are used by the upper middle class. The roads are organized around a set of long narrow and circumferential roads that radiate and circle in and around the city.

One of the most notable attractions in Marikina is the bikeways and bikelanes along major roads and streets. This is the only city in the Philippines which has effective bikeways.

These are some of the major roads in Marikina:

National (Major) Highways:

National (Major) Roads:

  • A. Bonifacio Avenue
  • Bayan-Bayanan Avenue (Immaculate Concepcion Ave.)
  • J. P. Rizal Avenue
  • Shoe Avenue (Marikina Avenue)
  • Gil Fernando Avenue (Angel Tuazon Avenue)
  • Fortune Avenue (Claro. M. Recto Avenue)
  • Erano Manalo Avenue (E. Rodriguez Avenue)
  • Major Dizon Avenue
  • General Ordoñez Ave. (Molave Street)
  • C5 Access Road
  • Katipunan Road
  • Bagong Farmers Avenue
  • Evangelista Avenue

Utilities and communications [edit]

Marikina's source of electricity is part of the Manila Electric Company or Meralco. Water supply for the city is supplied by the Manila Water Company. Marikina's communication system is powered by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone company, Globe Telecom, Bayan Telecommunications Corporation (BayanTel) and others. Cellular network in the Philippines particularly the metropolitan areas is increasing rapidly together with the low cost of calls and text messaging. Such big companies that control the cellular networks in the Philippines and Marikina itself are Globe Telecom, Smart Communications (PLDT) and Sun Cellular from Digitel. Cable television access is provided by SkyCable, Home Cable and Global Destiny. Internet Digital Subscriber Line or DSL coverage is provided by PLDT, cable internet is serviced by Sky Cable's ZPDee and Global Destiny. Wireless broadband is provided by Globeliness Broadband and Smart Communications. Marikina has its own radio station operated and owned by the city government, DZBF-AM (BF named after Bayani Fernando, the owner of radio station and a former mayor of Marikina and former chairman of MMDA), is an AM radio station that provides information, news and events happening in Marikina, and it also provides some entertainment like other commercial AM radio stations.

Tourism [edit]

Marikina has its own share of attractions to offer. Sports and recreational facilities are available to its residents and those from nearby towns and cities. Historical landmarks and church, antiquated houses and galleries view to the attention of history and culture buffs. It's also attracts major commercial centers, man-made parks, large structure buildings, and most of them, a traditional shoe-making in the city, the natural river parks and the hospitality of Marikeños.

Events and festivals [edit]

Events

  • Marikina Holy Week Procession - Holy Week season
  • Marikina Foundation Day - April 16
  • Feast of Our Lady of Abandoned (Patroness of Marikina) - second Sunday of May
  • Police Memorial Day - September 8
  • Mama Mary Fluvial Parade - September 8
  • Ondoy Commemoration Day - September 26 and 27
  • Marikina Cityhood Day - December 8
  • Marikina New Year's Celebration - December 30

Festivals[4]

  • Ilognayan River Festival - second week of February
  • Ka-Angkan Festival - April 16
  • Sapatos Festival - from October 15 to November 30
  • Rehiyon-Rehiyon Festival - December 8
  • Marikina Christmas Festival - second week of November to second week of January next year


Landmarks and notable places [edit]

Landmarks

  • Cityhood Park - a signature landmark of Marikina located at the corner Shoe Avenue and Sumulong Highway.
OLA Parish Church, houses the Patron Saint of Marikina
  • Diocesan Shrine-Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned - this Spanish-era church is located along J. P. Rizal Street. The church was started by the Augustinians in 1687 and was finished in 1690. It was destroyed by earthquakes and by fires in 19th century, and it has undergone a series of renovations since 1963.
Jesus de la Peña Chapel
  • Jesus Dela Peña Chapel - this was the first mass held in Marikina, established in April 1630 by Jesuits. Located in Barangay Jesus Dela Peña.
  • Marikina Sports Park Complex' - Established in 1969 and then known as the Rodriguez Sports Center, the property was bought from the provincial Government of Rizal in 1995. It is also one of the premier sports complex established in the Philippines. It is now a popular venue for national, regional and international sports competitions and other sports and entertainment events, such as the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
  • Sentrong Pangkultura ng Marikina - This 200-year-old building was once owned by Don Laureano "Kapitan Moy" Guevarra, recognized as the father of shoe industry in the Philippines. This is where the first pair of shoes in Marikina was designed and made in 1887. Inside this building can be found Doll Museum, Marikina City's museum, a dioramas showcasing the events and history of Marikina. This building is the center of culture and arts of Marikina.
  • Shoe Museum - The Shoe Museum houses about 800 pairs of shoes, slippers and boots belonging to former First Lady Imelda Marcos, out of a total of around 3000. It is also a place which a record-holder as the most numerous pair of shoes in the world.
SM City Marikina
  • SM City Marikina - SM City Marikina is the first shopping mall that has a wi-fi connection upon its completion. The mall was designed by dsgn associates, an award-winning design firm based in Dallas, Texas, in the USA. Interior design was by EDGE Interior Design Pty. Ltd., a design consultant based in Australia, together with SM City Marikina’s design team includes Jose Siao Ling and Associates (architects), D.A. Abcede and Associates (project managers), and BF Construction Corporation, the general contractors of the mall. SM City Marikina is a part of SM's 50th Anniversary and it was the first shopping mall to open on 2008.
  • Teatro Marikina - This is the center of performing arts of Marikina and eastern Metro Manila. This facility also caters to various events such as plays, concerts, shows, exhibits and seminars. Teatro Marikina is also the venue of annual pre-pageant of Miss Earth in the Philippines, notable concerts and plays played by the biggest celebrities and artists in the Philippines.

Notable places

  • Angel Tuazon Entertainment District - Gil Fernando Avenue, also known as A. Tuazon Avenue, is well-known line-up of having many adventurous bars, live acoustic bands, restaurants, nightclubs and other drinking joints, nearly the entire stretch especially at night.
  • Evolution Park - Features the 18 sculptured cows stand as a marker of Marikina's expanse of grazing farmland formerly owned by the illustrious Tuazon Clan. Located in Barangay Marikina Heights.
  • Loyola Memorial Park - Sprawling area of 36,000 m² and developed in 1965, the Loyola Memorial Park is the oldest, probably one of the biggest, and most prominent memorial parks in the Philippines. Located along A. Bonifacio Avenue.
  • Manila Boystown Complex - A 23-hectare Manila city government-owned institution and facility is exclusively for Manila’s abandoned, forgotten, and voluntarily surrendered children, teenagers, and senior citizens. Located in Barangay Parang.
  • Marikina Industrial Park - Located at the northeast portion of the city which was established in the 1970s, it is home to a number of industries and some of which are the biggest and are the leaders in their fields, some of these are Purefoods-Hormel, Nestlé, Fortune Tobacco, Armscor and other leading industries and big companies.
  • Marikina's Largest Pair of Shoes - This is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest pair of shoes. It is currently displayed at the Riverbanks Center and it is one of the top attractions in the city.
  • Marcos Highway - Was named by former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos, a newly rehabilitated 10-lane national highway and the main road between Metro Manila and Rizal Province, also known as Marikina-Infanta Highway. Marcos Highway passing the boundaries of Antipolo, Cainta, Pasig and Marikina. There are 3 main intersections in Marcos Highway such as Amang Rodriguez Avenue (Pasig), Imelda Avenue (Marikina-Cainta) and Masinag (Antipolo), and an interchange located in SM City Marikina which provide access exclusively between Marikina to major business districts such as Ortigas Center, Eastwood City and Makati City. Some of its landmarks are Riverbanks Center, SM City Marikina, MRT-2 Santolan Station, Sta. Lucia Mall, Robinsons Metro East, AMA Computer College, SM City Masinag, Masinag Market and Cogeo Market. Also, Marcos Highway is well known for numerous establishments like car shops, major schools, restaurands and food chains, exclusive villages, industrial parks, and among others.
  • Marikina Market Mall - Metro Manila's cleanest and well-maintained market is Marikina Public Market, known as Marikina Market Mall. It is also one of the biggest market place in Metro Manila in terms of area.
Marikina River Park
  • Marikina River Park - Most awarded river which set as the Hall of Fame awardee for the Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the Philippines. Marikina River Park is a popular camping site, picnic grounds and recreational park, such as concrete jogging and bike lanes, benches and skating rink. At night, Marikina River Park transforms into a modern nightlife events center because of numerous bars, restaurants, cafés and night clubs along the riverbanks. Other attractions in Marikina River include the Roman Garden, Chinese Pagoda, Kawayanan, Youth Camp, Animal Trail, Skating Rink and Women's Park. It is also a traditional venue for the Marikina Christmas Festival which begins annually as early as October.
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College - OLOPSC is a private, non-sectarian, Filipino tertiary learning institution located in Concepcion, Marikina. It was founded by Dionisio Salvador, Sr. in 1978. The institution is a reputable source of students with morale and discipline. As of 2009, there are already 5000+ estimated students enrolled. OLOPSC is considered as a landmark due to its structural design. The passersby describe OLOPSC as one with the castle-like design structure which is pleasing into the eyes of toddlers.
  • Philippine Science Centrum - This is the Philippines largest and well-maintained science centrum and it is one of the most visited amenities inside Riverbanks Center especially the field trips of students came from different schools in Metro Manila.
  • [The Riverbanks Center] - Formerly Universal Textiles, Asia's largest textile mills company, located along A. Bonifacio Avenue and nearby Marcos Highway. It is now a center for shopping, commerce, business and entertainment in Marikina, and in 2008, it was declared as Metro Manila's latest developing business district. Other attractions and buildings in Riverbanks Center include Riverbanks Mall, Riverbend Hotel, Riverbanks Amphitheatre, Gazebo, Philippine Science Centrum, Floating Stage, Open-air food stalls and Stone Carabaos. At Riverbanks Mall, here you will find almost everything you need at a price reasonably affordable, such as supermarkets, department stores, a numerous boutiques, cellphone shops, shops, food stands, fastfood chains and many more. Also, Riverbanks Center is a home of ICT Group, one of the largest IT call centers in the Philippines. SM City Marikina is also nearby within Riverbanks Center.
  • Women's Park - Located beside Marikina River Park. It is a park dedicated to females of Marikina.
  • World of Butterflies - You will find hundreds of butterflies in different variety, kind and sizes. Also, frogs, caterpillars and all animals necessary for the food chain of the butterfly is bred there. A souvenir house is also available. It's considered as the Philippines largest collection of different butterflies and other species. Field trips and tourist are attracted to this place because of its natural ambiance especially for the nature lover.


Other landmarks:

  • Blue Wave Mall, Marquinton Residences
  • Bayan-Bayanan Avenue, Concepcion Uno
  • Circle Mall, Marikina Heights
  • Doll Museum at Marikina Sports Park
  • Loyola Grand Villas
  • MRT Line 2 Santolan Depot Station
  • Maria Quina Statue at Marikina River Park
  • TESDA Main Office

Health care [edit]

Local government provides free medical and dental missions, health seminars and check-ups, proper disposals and hygiene training, special services for seniors, pregnant woman and children, and other free medical operations. It also has a privilege card that offers discounted fees and free services such as emergency, medical, and security services. Marikina Sports Park provides an outdoor gym, sections for senior citizens, dance exercises, oval track, and other sports activities. Marikina River Park and Riverbanks Center provides a jogging path, walk and run exercises and breath exercise by taking clean, fresh air along the riverbanks. Every barangay has a health center to provide basic medical services in the community, and also has a city health main office to assist in every barangay health centers.

These are the major hospitals in Marikina:

Public Hospitals

  • Amang Rodriguez Medical Center
  • Marikina Diagnostic and Specialty Center

Private Hospitals

Education [edit]

Marikina Science High School

Marikina's literacy rate is a high of 98%, comparable to other cities in Metro Manila. Every barangay has a public primary schools and also a growing numbers of public secondary schools. It has also a public tertiary and vocational schools for continuous education in the city. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina sets the first city-owned university along with Marikina Polytechnic University and Marikina Science High School. Department of Education division office and TESDA office is located in Marikina.

There are also a growing number of private schools such as Roosevelt College, Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College, Kostka School, Mother of Divine Providence School, St. Nicholas School, Holy Trinity School, Charis School, Infant Jesus Academy Marikina, San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila School, many to mention. Exclusive schools are also located in the city such as Marist School Marikina, St. Scholastica's Academy Marikina and part of Ateneo De Manila University. Technical and IT schools are also growing in the city including AMA Computer University, STI College and other private technical and vocational school. There are also a catholic school such as Marikina Catholic School and numerous Christian-owned school like National Christian Life Colleges.

Sister Cities [edit]

International

Wikinews has related news: Brampton, Canada and Marikina, Philippines seeing double as cities twin

National


  • City of Marikina and nearby Barangays

  • Marikina City view from Loyola House of Studies (Ateneo de Manila University) and Loyola School of Theology

  • Panorama view of nearby Barangka, Marikina houses and the far City of Marikina

  • Late afternoon photo of the City

See also [edit]

 Quezon City / San Mateo, Rizal
Quezon City San Mateo, Rizal
Antipolo, Rizal
  Marikina  
Pasig / Cainta, Rizal

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 30 November 2012. 
  2. ^ "Province: NCR, SECOND DISTRICT". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 30 November 2012. 
  3. ^ a b "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities". 2010 Census and Housing Population. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 2012-11-07. 
  4. ^ http://marikina.weebly.com/festivals.html

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Marikina City
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