Shoes
8.) Manila Sole
It’s not just the bold prints that make these pairs of shoes from Manila Sole stand out. It’s also their advocacy. This Marikina-based brand uses recycled tires to make the soles of their shoes. Who knew recycled tires could be so comfortable even in long walks?
Noel Lanto, one of the owners, shared how they founded Manila Sole. Noel and his friends all wanted to have a business, but before Manila Sole, they all had different day jobs. One day, they stumbled upon a shoe manufacturer in Marikina who told them he could make shoes out of recylced tires. Believing that business should have another purpose apart from profit, they were excited at the idea of coming up with a business that would help the environment. “For every pair you buy, you keep a tire out of the landfills,” he said.
The designs for the shoes are their own, but Noel acknowledges that they were not the first ones to produce shoes made out of recycled tires. “The idea for recycled tires has been around since the 60’s. It’s not a new concept. But what we want is for it to become a trend. We want people to know that you can actually do this. If people are more aware of that and maging trend siya, ok ‘yun!”
When asked about misconceptions on Filipino products, Noel talked about the two kinds of buyers of local products. The first kind will buy it for the product itself. The second will buy it because it is a local product—for nationalism’s sake and not minding its quality. Noel believes that this kind of mindset is dangerous both for the buyer and the maker. From a business standpoint, the industry does not become sustainable. But from the customer’s side, they do not get their money’s worth. Noel added that there are many great Filipino products—people just have to search for them. (We hope that this list makes the search a lot easier!)
Manila Sole
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManilaSole
Twitter: @manilasole
Instagram: @manilasole
9.) Shoes by Kai
Shoes by Kai is another personal favorite because of how it blends traditional craftsmanship with wearable and trendy fashion pieces. They wrote:
WEAR YOUR CULTURE! With this tagline, Shoes by Kai (SbK) was launched as an ‘indie’ shoe brand– that is, independent and indigenous – that aims to capitalize on Filipino creativity and skill to produce worldclass, quality footwear, while using local fabrics woven from traditional wooden handlooms. What started as a family trip to the Ilocos provinces, Ms. Sheryll Quiming Gempis, a head-over-heels shoe lover from Pangasinan, was inspired to be creative and passionate about Abel Iloko and how it can be showcased through the shoe-making skills by artisans in Marikina and Liliw, Laguna. Abel Iloko, or Inabel are local fabrics made from cotton threads and handwoven by locals in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union and Abra. They have been used in souvenir and decorative items but have rarely been considered as materials for modern, fashionable shoes. SbK aims to embrace a fusion of indigenous fabrics with contemporary aesthetics, while ensuring the elegance, quality, durability and wearability of its products.
Apart from the Abel Iloko, they also have shoes made using malong from Zamboanga. The malong was used for the two wedges in the photos, while the rest of the shoes were made using Abel Iloko.
“The influx of mass produced footwear had turned shoemaking into a dying industry, while weavers are mostly as old as the antiquarian handlooms. To save the dying traditions SbK aims to entice shoe shoppers with a demand for its captivating designs and well-crafted pairs so that weavers and shoemakers will be inspired to continue on their craft. Moreover, SbK is offering wearable and not too high-fashion footwear. Instead of aspiring of becoming to be an exclusivist, luxury shoe brand, SbK advocates culture in the soles of ordinary Filipinos in everyday life.”
Despite being a young Philippine-made brand, the buyers and supporters of Shoes by Kai come from those in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Japan, Canada and Australia. Shoes by Kai offers a variety of styles. Some are suitable for corporate wear, for beach wear, for casual adventures around the city, and more. I was surprised to see just how versatile its designs are that caters to the needs and wants of the many people.
We’re giving away a pair of shoes from SbK to one reader! The design is the same as the one in the last photo, and the shoe is a Size 6. If you want to win it, just follow the mechanics in the Rafflecopter giveaway below:
Shoes by Kai
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesByKai
Instagram: @shoesbykai
This is so awesome I didn’t know some of these existed. I definitely any to try their products! https://www.wheninmanila.com/madeinthephilippines-15-homegrown-brands-we-love/
I LOVE HUMAN NATURE!! It is also home grown 😀
Featuring homegrown products is a good idea since most of us are patronizing foreign products.
I would love to have this homegrown awesome products! WIM article: https://www.wheninmanila.com/madeinthephilippines-15-homegrown-brands-we-love/1/
i really love it to have this homegrown products.
WIM article: https://www.wheninmanila.com/madeinthephilippines-15-homegrown-brands-we-love/