By The Riverbanks

*updated*

Marikina River

By The Riverbanks

I do my walking exercise way past 5 pm.  Just when the sun is about to set. I don my honda shirt with sleeves pulled up near the elbows, match this with rugged denim pants and put on my China-made Skecher's rubber shoes.               I take my own sweet time.  No need to hurry.  At my age, I can afford to plentifully waste the time.  I grab my belt bag and strap it around the waist.  What do I have there?  A small bottle of amonia, Swiss knife, mineral water and a billiard ball.  What is the billiard ball for?  For my false sense of security.  And, yes, I don't leave without my Canon digicam.  I take shots along the way.               I initially take the paved walkway along the riverbanks. I move casually, but conscious of the force that presses each foot against the ground as I move forward. Bikers pass me by from time to time.  I can see the mall across the river.  It used to be Utex where Father was company doctor for 27 years.              I hasten my pace, and try to overtake the slow-moving ones.  I see young couples embracing in sweet surrender and, in silent whispers, revealing the secrets of their souls. Not yet feeling tired, I sing some lines from Sinatra's September Song.  "Oh the days dwindle down to a precious few...September, November....And these precious days, I'll spend with you....these precious days, I'll spend with you."                I take shots when I see a nice image, a good angle.  Click, Click, Click.  I turn right at a narrow street where a big ancestral house proudly stands.  From there, i cross the main road, and after several minutes, I enter the covered public market, looking for dvds of old films.  Then I move to a stall selling China made items.  For 20 pesos, you can have a long screwdriver.              From afternoon, it is now dusk.  I enter the big church and take a seat at the last row.  I have personally arrogated that unto myself.  I touch my arms and they are wet with perspirations.  Same with my back and neck.  I pray and the prayer I say is the same prayer I have been saying for the last 20 years.  And a quick one with a quick sign of the cross.              After quenching my thirst with cold water, I continue my walking exercise.  I take the narrow side streets on my way back. This time holding the billiard ball.   I still see some shoe-making shops.  They are part of the few ones left.  Remnants of the dying shoe industry.  American Golden, Jemelie, Jem Brothers, Rempson, Storck, Cardams,  Borlani, Lobelle's etc are gone. They are now history.              I now feel tired.  My muscles start to ache.  I see and cross my self- imposed imaginary finish line. Upon calculating, I have walked for 1 hour and 20 minutes, covering a distance of 8 kilometers. I am perspiring profusely.  Good for my body.  I begin taking off my shoes, my Skecher's rubber shoes. Clearly embossed are the words "Made in China".  And the longer I look at the pair, the more I realize why Marikina's shoe industry is dying.  I throw the black rubber shoes under the long wooden bench.  To be used again the next day. - Konted World's Biggest Shoes The world's biggest shoes can be viewed at Riverbanks Mall (formerly Utex) Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records 1st shoe-shop owner Kapitan Moy's Ancestral House Well-maintained old house on M. Roxas St. Another old house near Kapitan Moy's residence House with a turn-of-the-century style located along the main road near the Big Church Former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando's ancestral house Our Lady of the Abandoned Church Built in 1687 Marikina Shoe Museum where Madame Imelda's shoes are kept Beautiful majorettes marching through the streets during a barangay fiesta  in Marikina City Marching band adds luster and excitement to fiesta celebration Drum and Lyre band displays showmanship to the delight of viewers Colorful banners add to that festive mood Ati-Atihan tribal group members, painted heavily in black, dance to some rhythmic beat.and to shouts of "Hala Bira, Hala Bira". Ati-Atihan tribal groups are major crowd drawers during fiestas. Drum and Lyre Band competition near Ka Tina's store Ms. Gay Marikina top contender Another strong favorite to win the Ms. Gay Marikina contest A fiesta parlor game where participants try to catch a live chicken and with bare hands,  pluck out the chicken's  heart. Steamed tilapia with garlic served during fiesta celebration in Marikina City Shrimps with sweet chili sauce Crispy Pata Crispy Pata sauce Everlasting Pork Asado Beef Caldereta Beef with corn and carrots Ginataang Suso Fried Chicken Molo Soup Tuna Belly Pancit Malabon Lechen Flan for dessert Ice cream done the old way Dirty Ice Cream in cones Marikina City Hall Teatro Marikina where stage plays and musical concerts are held Sports Center Marikina City Public Market SM Marikina by the riverbanks Otto Shoes Building Marikina Shoe Trade Fair Delivery bikes A special project of Mayor Del De Guzman Marikina shoemakers participate in this trade fair. High quality footwear At factory prices Shoe repair shop About the shoe industry River Express Train on display at the Riverbanks Mall A beautiful rainbow appears in the sky at Loyola Memorial Park. Penitensiya goes to the streets Roman soldiers  Severe beating of the man they call Jesus Christ Luyong is the oldest and most popular Chinese Restaurant in Marikina City. Founded by the late Luyong Fong.  Luyong is classmate Tony Tuason's  favorite Chinese Resto. Yang Chow Fried Rice Sweet Corn Soup Fried Chicken in garlic sauce Chop Suey Beef with vegetables Classic Camaron Rebosado Lumpiang Shanghai Goto Garahe snack house near Purefoods Spacious and clean snack house Merienda at Goto Garahe Goto Garahe diehards Macky's snack house at the town proper Goto, Tokwa't Baboy, Pancit Palabok, Iced Saging at Macky's Sally's Goto at San Roque San Miguel Beer is part and parcel of special occasions in Marikina City. Bingo is a favorite past time in Marikina City. Playing Red Dog Born and raised in Marikina City Old, almost torn photo of three siblings and their mother who are all  bonafide residents of Marikina City.   They are known for their humility and simplicity.   Hope you'll stay that way, Amigas.  Specially the one at rightmost. Marikina blood runs through her veins. Youngster taking up nursing with the bright hope of being able to work abroad Beautiful Rachelle in colorful costume Rachelle and Kira Incumbent Marikina City Vice Mayor Dr. Fabian Cadiz ( in white polo barong) in one of his regular morning rounds.  Bagong gising pa ako.  Walking an extra mile everyday Bonus pic: Vintage cars along Tuason Ave. in Marikina City