Marikina Through My Lens

Marikina Through My Lens

         I have been doing my walking exercise for years and have logged over a thousand kilometers walking along the riverbanks and sometimes veering off the beaten path to roads less traveled.  I have seen countless sunsets and have crossed my imaginary finish line when night has fallen.

        I have worn different brands of sports shoes, starting with Skechers and wearing them for about a year.  Then I shifted to the Puma brand which lasted for one and a half years. Next was the standard Nike.  I am now on my 4th brand as I continue flexing my muscles. In my strolls, I have chanced upon old friends. They are friends from the 70s.

        In my stops along the way, I have seen new faces and have gained new friends. From brief conversations, I have acquired vital info on just about anything about the city.  Where to go, and what to see. And how to better spend the day.

        I have changed cameras too.  I began with the Casio and found it convenient with its instant flash.  Unfortunately, I lost it in the fire that razed our house.  Next was the Canon which provided clearer pictures but I had problems with the lens.  It would not open smoothly and the vision became blurred.  I am now using a Samsung digicam.

        I have aimed at a thousand images and I have clicked a thousand shots.  I have countless files which I have stored in my hard disk. Most of which I have posted and some I have kept for future use.  My photo shoot objects are varied.  From a small chapel to a big church. From a hole in the wall eatery to a plush restaurant. From a modest abode to a palatial mansion. From a small structure to a big landmark. It seems endless.  And my interest has not waned. Not even a bit.

                                                                                                 - Konted

An afternoon shot of the Marikina River

Cyclists, joggers and promenaders prefer the banks of the Marikina River.

Sculpture in honor of the empowered Filipino Women at the Women's Park along the river banks.

Batang Lambak playing court near the Marikina River. Lambak is a sitio of Brgy. Sta  Elena.

Batang Lambak marker expressing gratitude to those who, at one time or another, played friendly and competitive games at the playing court.  It reads: " Ang palaruang ito ay buong pusong inihahandog sa mga nakipagkaibigan, nakipaglaro at nagmahal sa pook na ito."

The bamboo represents the resiliency of the Mariquenos, that is, the ability  to bounce back from disappointments, setbacks and disasters.

Cyclists take a break under the shade of a nipa hut near the river. 

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto near the riverbanks.  Our Lady of Lourdes is the patroness of the  Marikina River.

Tablets of the 10 Commandments at the right flank of the grotto.

Marian devotees gather and pray at the foot of the shrine.

During non-turbulent weather, the western side of the Marikina River is planted with crops.  Picture shows the  area at the back of Provident Village.  The land where Provident Village is situated used to be a part of the river until it dried up.  It is sometimes referred to as "patay na ilog" or "dead river".

Built in 1630, Jesus De La Pena Church is the oldest church in Marikina. The frrst mass in Markina was held there in 1630.

Jesus De La Pena Church is about two blocks away from the Marikina River. The barangay where it is located is also named Jesus De La Pena.

About the church

Grotto at the right side of the church

The Roman Garden built by a civic organization.  On this site,  which used to be a rocky part of the riverbanks, an image of the child Jesus was seen by inhabitants of the place.  Thus, the name Jesus De La Pena which means Jesus of the Rocks. This prompted authorities to name the place and the church as Jesus De La Pena.

The Marikina Bridge going to the town proper.

Huge statue of the legendary Marikit Na who was said to be beautiful, rich and generous.

The Cityhood Park at the corner of Shoe Avenue and Sumulong Highway.  It is near  the Sports Center.  Bells ring every hour at the Park.

The grandstand of the Marikina Sports Center

The Amang Rodriguez Memorial Hospital along Sumulong Highway.

Marikina City Hall facing east

Busts of former town mayors

Hon. Osmundo De Guzman was the longest-serving Mayor of Marikina City.  His guiding principle was:  " Kung sino ang tatanga tanga,  naka tsinelas, may putik ang paa ang siya mong unahing paglingkuran."  He was mayor for 26 years.

Marikina City Hall facing west

Park in front of  City Hall lined with trees

You still need the Post Office for your registered mails and legal notices.

Tambay Kay Lim Sports Plaza near City Hall

A memorial to WW II heroes in front of City Hall.

The City Library near the Big Church

Otto Shoes Building along JP Rizal St. across the church.

Old, big house of the Dela Paz-Lazatin family in Sta Elena

House of  Capitan Venciong built in 1850 in Sta Elena

Historical marker at Sitio Lambak

Our Lady of the Abandoned Church at the city proper.  This church was built in the 17th century when the  Jesus De La Pena Church was constantly threatened by the inundation of the Marikina River during the onset of the rainy season.

Church interior. The Church is also known as Nuestra Senora De Los Desamparados Church.

The main altar

Side altar of the church

Our Lady of the Abandoned Church at night

Statue of the Our Lady of the Abandoned in front of the church.  It is said to be miraculous.  When a Japanese plane dropped a bomb near the bell tower during WWII,  it failed to detonate and city residents attributed this to the miraculous powers of the Our Lady of the Abandoned.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion, Marikina City

For sale in front of the church

My favorite snack at the 7-11 store

Football field of Marist School at Marikina Heights.  Marikina Heights and other areas of the town were components of a big hacienda owned by Chinese mestizo Don Antonio Tuason who was then the richest man in the Philippines.

Marist School 

Marcelin Joseph Benedict Champagnat was the founder of  the Marist  Brothers.

Gibi Shoes' fire fighting truck.  The water tank is made of stainless steel.

Beautiful Mariquena Rachelle Anne Santiago

Number One Councilman Nicky Boy Santiago Reas leads Halloween parade.

Andre G. joins zombies parade.

Tiyanak

Paru Paro

Gold Eagle 

Making the V sign

Disabled night creature

Another zombie

Another version of The Black Widow 

Manananggal

Old tire used as prop

Andre getting ready for the big bang.

At the Riverbanks Mall

Marikina Shoe Museum near Marikina Church

Entrance to the museum.  Free entrance to senior citizens of Marikina.

Two giant shoes near the main door

Shoe lasts bunched together 

Different styles of shoes from other countries

Shoes of famous men and women are displayed here.

Shoes of former First Lady Imelda Marcos are displayed starting from this section.  It occupies 75% of the shoe museum.

Shoes of Madame Imelda

More Imelda shoes

Spotlight trained on the shoes of the former First Lady

Shoes galore

Portrait of the beautiful Imelda

Another portrait of the former First Lady

More Imelda shoes

Life-size figurines of a shoe maker and a handyman assisting him

Referred to as Mag-aareglo, she works on the upper parts of the shoe.

Shoe-making is the main livelihood of most Marikina residents.

Finished products

Evolution of the Shoe Industry

Combat boots of Senator Gringo Honasan on display at the museum

Shoes of  incumbent Senator Tito Sotto

Rubber shoes of movie actor Bong Revilla who is also a Senator.

President Erap's shoes

Shoes of former President Ferdinand Marcos

White shoes of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Bowling shoes of six-time World Champion Paeng Nepomuceno

Cycling shoes of two-time Tour of Luzon champion Cornelio Padilla, Jr.

Bowling shoes of champion Bong Coo

Shoes of Cardinal Sin and Cardinal Rosales

Businessman John Gokongwei's shoes

Worn by the owner of Sta Lucia Shopping Mall and Sta Lucia Realty Corp.

Shoes of Marikina philantrophist Bolok Santos.

Sneakers of the beautiful lady Senator  Loren Legarda

Worn by the Congressman from Pangasinan Joe De Venecia

My shoes

Really my shoes !!!

Ancestral house of Kapitan Moy who is regarded as the founder of the Philippine shoe industry. It is near the Big Church.

Another beautiful old house near Kapitan Moy's residence.

At the ground floor of Kapitan Moy's ancestral house

I am busy reading this book.

Marikina owns the distinction of having the greatest number of bicycles on the road  as Mariquenos enjoy biking

Mama Chit's Snack House in Brgy San Roque near the Shoe Museum

You go back in time at Mama Chit's .

A Marilyn Monroe poster and framed old photos adorn the walls of the resto.

Elvis Presley photo, VW hubcap and other memorabilia

Coca Cola tablecloth

Things you used to see in the 60s and 70s

An old slot machine

Old lamp and old photos

A Tonka dump truck

You get that nostalgic feeling at Mama Chit's.

Mama Chit's Cheeseburger

To go with the burger

Comparable to that of Mile Hi 

Closer shot

Kainan Sa Banda Rito, located at J.M. Basa St., is now one of the most popular snack houses in Marikina City.

As Marikina City has a dearth of vehicle parking spaces. the local government designated the left side of streets as parking slots. These are clearly marked with white lines.Anybody from anywhere may park at said parking spaces. It is not reserved for any particular person. Even the owner of the house near a parking slot cannot arrogate unto himself exclusive use of said space. He has to share this with others. He cannot forcibly drive away the owner or driver of other vehicles. What is prohibited in such parking areas are unattended, dilapidated, inoperable vehicles. They may be towed. Also, it is prohibited to turn the designated space into a vehicle repair shop or any similar establishment. Business firms may not park their delivery vans, pickups or similar vehicles. As yearly payers of road users tax, vehicle owners have all the right to use the designated parking slots. More so, disagreements or conflicts can best be resolved through a sincere dialogue and effective communications between and among interested parties. The local authorities shall be the final judge of any conflict.