The Marikina shoe industry got a shot in the arm after President Rodrigo Duterte endorsed the local products for its world-class craftsmanship.
The President proudly showed off his new custom boots, a present from a shoemaker family in Marikina, before some Cabinet members in Malacañang on Wednesday.
“May nagpadala nito — babae. Sabi niya ginawa ng tatay niya sa Marikina. [A woman sent this pair of shoes. She said it was made by her father in Marikina],” the President said in Filipino in a video clip provided by the Palace.
Duterte took off one shoe and showed his Cabinet men how well his new tan boots were well made by a local shoemaker.
He even pointed out Filipino shoemakers are so talented that foreigners buy these locally made shoes, put their brands, and resell them. “Sa craftsmanship, number one ang Pilipino. [When it comes to craftsmanship, the Filipinos are number one],” he added.
Apart from making quality shoes, Duterte said Filipinos are creative furniture makers too. “Even sa furniture, walang makakatalo sa Pilipino. [Even in furniture, nobody can beat Filipinos],” he added. (G. Kabiling, mb)