'TOUR DE TAKONG'. Men from all walks of life run while wearing stilettos (high heel shoes) during the 'Tour de Takong' in Marikina City on Saturday (Nov. 30, 2019). The event, which is part of the city's annual Shoe Festival, aims to promote women empowerment. (Photo courtesy of Marikina City PIO)
MANILA -- As part of efforts to promote its shoe industry and uphold gender equality, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro underscored the importance of women empowerment during the annual “Tour de Takong 2019” that brings together people from all walks of life for a noble cause.
The “Tour de Takong”, or Stiletto Race, is one of the main events in the annual Sapatos Festival, where people run while wearing stilettos instead of running shoes on Saturday.
Marikina City had been holding the “Tour de Takong” since 2013.
“Higit sa entertainment, isang marangal na adhikain ang nagbuklod sa atin sa Tour de Takong 2019. Bata man o matanda, babae man o lalaki, iba-iba man ang estado sa buhay ay nakilahok sila sa pagsusuot ng sapatos na de takong na sumisimbulo sa katatagan ng kababaihan (More than just entertainment, the Tour De Takong 2019 shows our unity. Young or old, male or female, different walks of life participated wearing heeled shoes that symbolizes the empowerment of women),” Teodoro said in a statement sent to reporters on Sunday.
The race, the mayor said, symbolizes life and the daily struggle of women.
“Katulad ng hamong dala ng pagtakbo habang nakasuot ng sapatos na may takong, hindi rin ganoon kadali ang sinusuong ng mga kababaihan habang ipinaglalaban ang kanilang mga karapatan (Just like the challenge of running while wearing heels, neither is it easy for women to fight for their rights),” Teoedoro said.
Members of the Philippine Army, teachers, firefighters, foreigners, law enforcement officers, athletes, and even foreigners participated in this year’s race and sprinted the 550-meter stretch of Shoe Avenue starting at the Marikina Clock Tower and finishing in front of the DepEd-Marikina office.
The registration was free and runners have to exclusively wear stiletto shoes made in Marikina. The eldest participant of the annual race was a 63-year-old woman who wore a Santa Claus costume.
“Sinisimbolo ng paligsahang ito ang pagbibigay ng boses sa bawat babae upang gumawa ng mahahalagang desisyon para sa sarili man o sa lipunan. Hangad nitong ipaalala ang sense of self-worth ng mga babae; ang kanilang karapatang pumili, ang access sa oportunidad at resources; ang pagkakaroon ng kontrol sa kanilang buhay, sa loob man o sa labas ng bahay; at higit sa lahat, ang kanilang abilidad na magdulot ng social change upang magkaroon ng mas patas na lipunan (This contest symbolizes giving each woman a voice to make important decisions for herself or for the society. It seeks to emphasize the sense of self-worth of women; their right to choose, access to opportunity and resources; having control over their lives, even outside the community or inside their home; and above all, their ability to bring about social change to create equal importance in a society),” Teodoro noted.
Before the race, a “Zumballeto” where people danced Zumba while wearing stilettos was held at the Marikina Clock Tower.
For this year’s stiletto race, first place winners for both male and female categories bagged the P15,000 cash prize, while the second placers received a P10,000 cash prize and P8,000 for third placers.
This year's Sapatos Festival is being held from November 11 to December 29.
The “Sapatos Festival” is an annual event organized by the city government. It aims to boost the city’s shoe industry by showcasing affordable and quality footwear and other leather products made by Marikina craftsmen.
A total of 48 manufacturers composed of footwear and leather manufacturers participated in this year’s festival showcasing high-quality and affordable shoes, bags, belts, and other products made by Marikina's skilled craftsmen.
The city government continues to promote locally-made and world-class footwear products by having the annual festival as a form of support to micro and small manufacturers in Marikina.
Teodoro said Marikina shoes are of high quality and could last for years, unlike imported shoes which only last for only around three months, based on results of a test conducted by the city government. (PNA)
