Here’s a treat for motorists cruising through Marikina City: traffic lights in the area now flash images of shoes.
The official Facebook page of the Marikina Public Information Office (PIO) shared photos yesterday of shoe-shaped traffic lights scattered around the city’s intersections.
This is in line with Marikina’s Sapatos (Shoe) Festival this year which started on Nov. 12. It will run until Jan. 6 next year.
The traffic signals are either heels, boots, or regular shoes.
According to the city’s PIO, these special traffic lights are found along Sumulong Highway cor. Shoe Ave., Sumulong Highway cor. Gil Fernando Ave., and at A. Bonifacio Ave. in Barangay (village) Barangka.
The city also has other activities planned out for the duration of the festival:
Dec. 1 – Stiletto Race
Dec. 8 – Cityhood Anniversary
Dec. 9 – Rehiyon Rehiyon Festival
Dec. 15 – Miss Marikina Grand Coronation Night
Dec. 30 – Year-end concert and fireworks display
There’s also a shoe bazaar at the Freedom Park located in front of the city hall until Jan. 6, 2019. Manileños can scout the best prices for shoes, bags, and other Marikina-made genuine leather goods.
Netizens liked the traffic lights idea, calling it creative.
“Great idea,” wrote Facebook user Glorifina Regala.
“Wow! [This is] nice,” said Fhe Felix.
“Love it! This is so unique,” said Kent Barcelona II.
Jonathan Mendoza added: “So this was real, I thought it was dirt or maybe I looked at it wrong.”
Why all the footwear festivities?
Marikina, a sleepy riverside city, emerged as a town of shoemakers in the turn of the 20th century and became the biggest shoe manufacturer in the Philippines.
Ever since then, the city has leaned into its roots in the shoe trade.
In 2002, Marikina was even certified by the Guinness Book of World Records for making the world’s largest pair of shoes which measures 529 centimeters long and 237 centimeters wide.
It was made with genuine leather which took 77 days to finish by 10 shoemakers. It’s equivalent to 250 pairs of regular-sized shoes.
