Saving The Marikina River,
An Inspiring Story Of A City
Winner, 1995 Galing Pook Award for Innovation and Excellence in Local Governance and Hall of Fame, Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the NCR.
In 1993, the city formally launched the program, Save the Marikina River, with the aim in view of rehabilitating and saving the river valley from extinction. It was anchored on the principle:
The people have to touch and smell the water. It is hoped that this experience and exposure will galvanize them to muster enough political pressure for the government and the rest to act and conserve the water. Mayor BF
The project was far from being ambitious in features. The city did not think of dredging or diking which it could not afford anyway. With only 40M spread over seven (7) years, including maintenance and with hardly no external assistance, the city was able to bring the river back to life and transform it into a sports and recreational park (probably the biggest in the country today in a natural setting).
A few years back, the river was filth and stench, a repository of all types of foul smelling and unsightly wastes. Only few dared to venture close to it and none wanted to a get a sniff of stinking waters pitched black with pollution spewed by factories and industries and domestic wastes wantonly thrown by the squatters lining the banks.
The deterioration of the river was brought by the uncontrolled encroachment and indiscrimate disposal of both domestic and industrial wastes and garbage in the easement of the river. It also suffered land degradation brought by the continuous quarrying on its beds and along the banks that resulted to scouring and erosion.
Resurrecting a dying river was only made possible through the bulldog tenacity of Mayor Bayani Fernando. Private assistance came in only when the river park was undergoing development. In the past, attempts have failed in removing thrash from the river and in flushing-out the squatters along the riverbanks. Many thought it would take a miracle to restore the lost grandeur of the Marikina River. It took a strong political will to finally carry out successfully the river rehabilitation that eventually gained the respect and admiration of the people. They have now taken themselves to task in preserving the gains of the project.
Marikina’s Historical Places and Events
Part 5: The Chinese Pagoda
The greater part of the populace of Marikina during the mid-700s were Mestizo de Sangley (Chinese Mestizo). They came to Marikina upon the invitation of the Jesuits to help in establishing a hacienda which was named after the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador.
Similarly, the patriarch of the most illustrious clan in the town, Don Antonio Tuason, was a wealthy Chinaman from Binondo, Manila. He was believed to be Son Tua (presumably, the Sino-version of the Tuason name meaning “eldest son”) whose wealth has helped provide a battalion for the Spanish war with the British who ventured to get the Philippines from Spain.
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The Story Behind Marikina’s Rehiyon-Rehiyon
Marikina celebrated its 11th Cityhood Anniversary with one of its unique festivals dubbed as Rehiyon-Rehiyon .
The colorful celebration of the festival was a tribute to residents who were not taal na taga-Marikina (natives) but chose the city as their second home. This was the reason why the festivity’s theme was:
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Iba’t-ibang Rehiyon, Iba’t-ibang Ugali, Pinagbubuklod sa Lungsod ng Marikina. (Different Regions, Different Attitudes and Cultures, Being United in the City of Marikina)
Interestingly, since Marikeños came from all over the Philippines, during the Rehiyon-Rehiyon, schools and barangays in the city prepare cultural presentations of every region in the country including the NCR. Imagine, you’ll get to see in one seating all the rich and vivid traditions of our heritage!
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Marikina City Symbol
The History of The Man with the “Salakot”
The City Symbol Design of Marikina
Parameter of Performance
The Marikina city Symbol focuses on the character of its people represented by a man wearing a “salakot” (headgear) and “camisa chino” (Chinese shirt) framed by an arch.
The “salakot” traces the man’s native origin, the “camisa chino,” his oriental character, and the arch framed his Hispanic past. The arched frame also represents the community and the limits of one’s individuality.
The faceless head personifies the individual who is one with his community, one who lived by the norms of good conduct (mabuting ugali), in harmony with his neighbor and one who gives honor to his community as he does to himself.
Discipline, Good Taste and Excellence are traits represented by the short buttons as one’s commitment to pursue with zeal and ardor.
The city symbol was designed by then Mayor Bayani F. Fernando.
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Marikina’s Historical Places and Events
Part 4: The Cows in the Dairy Farm
Marikina Heights’ residents today enjoy the stone built cows placed by the city government in their park called the Evolution park. About 18 cows were sculptured and now stands as a marker of what was once the only grazing farm in Marikina.
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Marikina’s Historical Places and Events
Part 3: The Kapitan Moy Building
The 200 year-old residence of Don Laureano Guevara, better known as Kap. Moy and considered the founder of the country’s footwear industry, has been cited as a historical place by the National Historical Commission. Kap Moy’s house was the first to cater shoe manufacturing in town.
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Marikina’s Historical Places and Events
Part 2: The Old Chanyungco House
The old house of the Chanyungcos still stands gallantly today next to the Kapitan Moy building in San Roque. It was founded by a welathy shoe manufacturer, Thomas Chanyungco of Jesus dela Peña, whose father was a a pure Chinese. He owned the then famous Gandara shoes, in Tondo, Manila, and married Carmen Guevara of San Roque, a close relative of Don Laureano “Kap Moy” Guevara, with whom he has six siblings: Bernardino, Jose, Juan, Nicanor, Salud and Eloy.
Saving The Marikina River, A Success Story
Winner, 1995 Galing Pook Award for Innovation and Excellence in Local Governance and Hall of Fame, Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the NCR.
In 1993, the city formally launched the program, Save the Marikina River, with the aim in view of rehabilitating and saving the river valley from extinction. It was anchored on the principle:
The people have to touch and smell the water. It is hoped that this experience and exposure will galvanize them to muster enough political pressure for the government and the rest to act and conserve the water. Mayor BF
The project was far from being ambitious in features. The city did not think of dredging or diking which it could not afford anyway. With only 40M spread over seven (7) years, including maintenance and with hardly no external assistance, the city was able to bring the river back to life and transform it into a sports and recreational park (probably the biggest in the country today in a natural setting).
A few years back, the river was filth and stench, a repository of all types of foul smelling and unsightly wastes. Only few dared to venture close to it and none wanted to a get a sniff of stinking waters pitched black with pollution spewed by factories and industries and domestic wastes wantonly thrown by the squatters lining the banks.
The deterioration of the river was brought by the uncontrolled encroachment and indiscriminate disposal of both domestic and industrial wastes and garbage in the easement of the river. It also suffered land degradation brought by the continuous quarrying on its beds and along the banks that resulted to scouring and erosion.
Resurrecting a dying river was only made possible through the bulldog tenacity of Mayor Bayani Fernando. Private assistance came in only when the river park was undergoing development. In the past, attempts have failed in removing thrash from the river and in flushing-out the squatters along the riverbanks. Many thought it would take a miracle to restore the lost grandeur of the Marikina River. It took a strong political will to finally carry out successfully the river rehabilitation that eventually gained the respect and admiration of the people. They have now taken themselves to task in preserving the gains of the project.
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James: Love learning about you and your city
Tintin Rios: Nice article mhel! As always, I am indeed enjoying all the stuff that you are doing. Very honest and very inspiring. Keep it up! :)
Big Brother: Very helpful and enlightening person, always there to lend a hand whenever you’re in need… Keep it up !!! GOD Bless!!!
Zaldy: Very interesting and informative. Lovely as the author.
Kengkay: Ipagpatuloy ang pag blog tungkol sa kagandahan ng pinas… gusto ko ang mga ganitong blogs. nakakataba ng puso :)
Apple Lucero: It's wonderful, and knowledgeable. I love the beauty of marikina, continue blogging, great!
Ed Ebreo: You have a very interesting blog and an even more interesting work. Keep up the great work!
Rino: Thanks for this information. I would never have known about this. Good job and please continue to provide us with more of these…
Eclud: You surprised me mhel!!! This is great.. keep up the good work… (saka parang paganda ka ng paganda..) *From the author: "Aint this the best comment of 'em all?" :D
AnitoKid: Wow! Danda na ng Marikina! It has been a while since I last visited it! I studied at Marist School (Gr 1-6, HS 1-4). Loved your site kabayan! And I kid you not!
MyGlitch: Hi, Mhel. I salute you for promoting Marikina, the only blogger I know who truly loves her municipality.
Alvin Aljecera: Marikina is the Best in TOWN!!!
Lad Madrigal: Nakakatuwa, napaka informative at talagang helpful ang blog mo. Rating: 11 out of 10 haha.
Edelweiza: Hi der! I admire BF, too. I always see him during Cabinet events in the Palace as our office is the one in-charge of them. It’s his strong character and sincere efforts to “urbanize” the metropolis and us city dwellers that keeps me an avid fan. He belongs to a very rare breed of public officials that really walk the talk. I think he deserves all the support he can get from Filipinos. :D
Dennis: I was once a passerby, ngaun mukang magiging regular reader at “avid fan” na din! hahaha!
Ericc: Congrats to this wonderful website! it’s a good advocacy for responsible citizenship and good city governance! all the best to marikina!
Heidelyn A. Camaligan: We are so lucky living here at Marikina, werein lots of educational training are offered.
Islander: Wow! grabe na talaga ang marikina. beyond the legend na kayo. pano pa kami makakahabol nyan? hehe. Alamat!
Reign: I used to pass by Marikina since i’m just 40 minutes drive away from Antipolo but I never thought of these great facts about your lovely place. You’re a sure proud marikeña.
Lotus Flower: Happy Marikina Day to you. Aren’t you glad to be part of this quaint but definitely bustling and progressive city? I am :-)
Meeh: Maituturing na ang marikina ay nakilala sa paggawa ng mga dekalidad na sapatos na nagdala sa ating lugar upang makilala sa ibang panig ng pilipinas at sa ibang bansa…at ipinagmamalaki ko na ako ay isang marikenya…mabuhay!
Tapsiboy: Marikina is my happy and comfort place.
Spinning Lovely Days: I’m so glad there are so many interesting places to check out in our city now. with gas getting so expensive, i’m all for limiting our explorations within marikina. :D as always, thanks for all the wonderful tips.:)
Mera: Ang ganda naman ng lahat ng nakapost dito sa site mong marikenya Ms.Mhel…more of it were very inspirational.interesting and educational…just keep it and godbless u!
Abby: Hi. I'm glad i chanced upon this really interesting blog. i'm from marikina too. we’ve been living here for more than a year now. i'm super excited about your list. you see, hubby and i frequent eating spot in town. we are, still in search for the perfect crispy pata. a lot of my friends say you can find it here.
CallCenterGal: Thanks for the additional tips on improving one’s blog in simple, doable ways.
Sagada Philippines: I like your niche. More power to your blog! =)