In my last entry, I wrote a small blurb about the transportation system in the Philippines. Well today, I had the opportunity to ride in a jeepney for the first time. As I mentioned, Jeepneys were once military jeeps, but what I didn’t get to say was that the original jeepneys were AMERICAN military jeeps. These jeeps were left behind by the U.S. military after WWII.
The Filipinos made a few tweaks and additions without realizing that they would be making the most popular form of public transportation in the country. Jeepneys are basically like buses except there are open windows and no door in the back, just an opening in which you can hop through to get in. It can get pretty crowded and you have to be able to stomach the fumes when you’re stuck in traffic, but it’s the best way to get around if you don’t have a car.
My cousin, her children, and I took a jeepney to Markina Riverbanks Mall. Many of the stores are still shut down after not having recovered from the massive flood that struck through Metro Manila not too long ago. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there are still shoes being made in the city. Marikina is the shoe capital of the Philippines, and yes, my family was in fact in the shoe industry way back in the day, but given the high level of competition from other countries plus the flood from Typhoon Ketsana/Ondoy, it seems like the Marikina shoe industry might not have a fighting chance. So it was nice to see Marikina-made shoes being sold inside the mall.
Once you exit the mall, you are greeted by the Marikina River located in the heart of the city. The Marikina River was once heavily polluted, but is now a main attraction thanks to the determination of former mayor Bayani Fernando (who coincidentally is also a candidate for Vice President in the upcoming Philippine Presidential Elections) with his mission of cleaning it up.
Every year, the Marikina River is the place to be for the Marikina Christmas Festival.
It’s also a great place to just kill time and maybe even enjoy the sunset.
Not to mention, while you’re there you can also head on over to Marikina River Park and go to the tiangge (flea market) which has everything you could possibly want or need at low prices.
Strolling down with the market on one side and the river on the other can be quite relaxing at night, just watch out for your purse in crowded areas, but all in all, it’s a definite must see when visiting Marikina.
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