DEadpOetSsOcIeTy

    Their eyes were glued on the pieces of brown leather and bottles of rugby.  Different sounds screened the air.  Fingers danced on top of the long table.  Many Cebuanos had already experienced what it felt like to be in their shoes.  And the latter was supposed to mean literally!

    The making of step-in’s, wedges, strappy sandals, rubber slippers down to the boots and close shoes for men was the factor that built up the pride of Carcar.  These shoe products were sent out to different areas in Cebu.  From the different shoe factories in Carcar, these footwears were distributed to several markets and sellers.  In the case of KHOfeet collection, they supply shoe products for Footsteps store located at Colon St., Cebu. 

    Not only were these circulated around Cebu but these shoes had also reached places outside the region. 

    “Naay po’y mopalit nga whole sale diri para ibaligya ngadto sa Mindanao.” (There were also others who bought whole sales here for them to sell at Mindanao.), said a worker from Lirus Shoe Company.

    So famous was Carcar for its shoe factories that a group of townspeople decided to establish an organization that could unite all the manufacturers.  Hence, CUFMAI was created.  CUFMAI or Carcar United Footwear Manufacturers Association Incorporated was headed by its president Mercedita Apura.  Apura was the owner of Detasie shoe factory. 

    Together with her was Algerico Sandoy, vice-president; Jocelyn Yap, secretary; Timoteo Canape, treasurer and Ruth del Rosario as the auditor.  CUFMAI was created on October 8, 2004.  To mark their unity, shoe makers joined forces to create a huge shoe made of real brown leather which was paraded during 2004 and 2005 Sinulog.

    Along with all of these was the establishment of a large display center where different shoe manufacturers in Carcar can sell their products.

    A piece of vacant lot at Tangasan, Villadolid, Carcar was bought for all of the shoe companies to display their products under one roof.  A total of 16 stalls comprised the whole lot.  Among of these were Lirus Company by Boy and Jean Lirus, Lidabeth by Edison and Lidabeth Omar, Kevin’s Collection by Rodelio and Jocelyn Yap, JRE Footwear by Edna Enoria, Foot Fit by Ruth del Rosario, Detasie by Nicepuro and Mercedita Apura, KHOfeet Collection by Lorena Apura and Sammy Shoe from the names Sammuel and Mirna and many others. 

    This large display center became a stop over for business trips, company tours, travelers and tourists.  Fe Maninggo and Cleofe Custodio from Tabuylan, Bogo of Northern Cebu were among the customers.  Maninggo, a member of Brgy. Kagawad Olivo, said that they were having their “Lakbay-Aral” heading south. 

    Together with Maninggo and Custodio was their city mayor Raul Gerona.  Gerona said that they really planned to drop by in Carcar before going to Argao. 

    “Kahibaw gyud mi mahitungod aning mga sapatos sa Carcar kay taga Cebu gud.” (We really know about these shoes in Carcar because were from Cebu.), said Gerona.

    There were also Koreans and other travelers who stopped by to check out the various foot wears Carcar had to offer. 

    A single shoe factory can made an average of 60 pairs of ladies sandals per week depending on the styles and designs.  According to Narra Bacon, a worker in KHOfeet factory, a pair of sandals can be finished in a matter of one hour.  Lorena Apura, owner of KHOfeet, shared the basic procedures in making a step-in finger sandal. 

    The primary tools used were the sewing machines, heater, grinders, large scissors and rugby.  From a roll of rubber, the women shaped this according to a certain size.  After which, they passed the shaped rubbers to the men for the intermediate stage where the pasting, fixing, heating and grinding where done.  For the final stage, these were passed back to the women again for polishing and additional final touches. 

    The price of wegdes and step-in’s at Carcar ranged from P150-P220.  Boots and close shoes for men ranged from P 280-P350. 

    “Dili lang sa ampao og chicharon sikat ang Carcar. Kana pod ang mga sapotos diri.” (Carcar was not only known for its ampao and chicharon but also for its shoes ), said Keith Nadela, a 19 year-old resident of Carcar.

    So the next time you happen to pass by at Carcar, just remember the giant brown leather shoe.  Think big!