Pioneer Adhesives Inc., the manufacturer of Pioneer Contact Bond, has recently launched Grupo Sapatero—an association of local shoemakers and manufacturers in a bid to help uplift the shoe industry in Marikina City.
The local shoemakers who gathered at the event became the first members of Pioneer Contact Bond’s Grupo Sapatero.
This event was held on March 17 at the historic Kapitan Moy Events Place—the 200-year-old house of Don Laureano “Kapitan Moy” Guevarra, the founder of the city’s shoe industry.
According to Camille Fernandez, assistant product manager of Pioneer Adhesives Inc., the association was initiated not only to provide assistance to members, but also to mount programs like free training and workshops. The effort was supported by the local government of Marikina City through the Marikina Shoe Industry Development Office.
“Pioneer Adhesives Inc., as a leading Filipino-owned company, has always been dedicated to helping the local industry because we also believe in the quality of Filipino craftsmanship. We saw the need to support the shoemakers and manufacturers, who are continues to craft ‘dikit-tibay’ and tatak world-class products. They have also been doing their best to revive the glory of the Marikina shoe industry,” Fernandez said.
With stiff competition due to the entry of cheaper imported brands, the Shoe Capital has experienced a decline in production. The industry also had to contend with a decline in the number of expert cobblers, many of whom have been forced to look for other forms of employment.
Despite these realities, the local shoemakers remain resilient in making world-class quality footwear. Most osmall and micro-scale manufacturer continue the art of crafting quality shoes and pass on the legacy to the next generation of cobblers.
Among these shoemakers is Rolando “Tatay Oly” Santos, an expert cobbler credited as the “presidential shoemaker.” As one of the first beneficiaries of Pioneer Contact Bond and now a member of Grupo Sapatero, he encouraged his fellow shoemakers to continue doing their craft.
“There are a lot of cobblers who want to start anew. I hope that they will continue doing their craft. That is why the Grupo Sapatero is really a big help for us,” Tatay Oly said.
Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said the challenge now is to keep the industry alive through continuous support. Currently, the local government of Marikina has been mounting projects to help the shoe industry, through Masido. It also advocates training the younger generation to learn the craft. Shoemaking courses are now being offered in schools, specifically in the Marikina Polytechnic College.
“The Grupo Sapatero is a big help for our local shoemakers. It also complements our projects for this sector, which has been a source of livelihood for Marikeños for many decades,” Teodoro said.
