Marikina, Philippines
Museums
If you're in Marikina and interested in visiting museums, you might want to check out the Marikina Shoe Museum. It features a collection of shoes from former first lady Imelda Marcos, as well as shoes worn by famous celebrities and politicians.
If you're looking for other museums nearby, you can also visit the nearby National Museum of the Philippines in Manila which is home to extensive collections of art, anthropology, archaeology, and more. Another option is the Ayala Museum in Makati City, which features exhibits on Filipino culture, history, and art.
Food
Marikina is known for its unique local cuisine, and some of the most recommended and popular dishes to try according to locals are:
1. Pancit Marikina - a stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, vegetables, meat, and seafood.
2. Everlasting or Marikina Longganisa - a type of sausage made with ground pork and garlic, and typically served with fried rice and eggs.
3. Kapeng Barako - a strong and aromatic coffee variety that is grown in the nearby province of Batangas.
4. Kesong Puti - a soft, white cheese made from carabao milk that is often used as a topping for traditional Filipino breakfast dishes such as champorado and pandesal.
5. Suman - a sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves that is often served as a dessert or snack.
6. Adobo sa Asin - a version of the classic Filipino adobo dish that uses salt instead of soy sauce, resulting in a slightly saltier taste.
7. Tokwa't Baboy - a popular appetizer made with crispy fried tofu and diced pork, marinated in vinegar and soy sauce with onion and chili.
These dishes can be found in local restaurants throughout Marikina, or even in small street food stalls.
Activities
Sure! Here are some fun activities that locals enjoy in Marikina:
1. Visit the Marikina River Park - this is a great place to relax, exercise, or have a picnic with family and friends.
2. Explore the culinary scene - Marikina is known for its food, so try out some local dishes such as "suman", "puto", and "kakanin" at local markets and restaurants.
3. Go shoe shopping - Marikina is famous for producing high-quality shoes, so head to the city's shoe stores and factories to buy some comfortable and stylish footwear.
4. Attend a fiesta or festival - Marikina has several festivals throughout the year, including the Sapatos Festival (Shoe Festival), which celebrates the city's shoemaking industry, and the Ka-Angkan Festival, which honors the city's indigenous Tagalog roots.
5. Watch a movie or go bowling - there are several malls in Marikina where you can catch the latest films or play a few games of bowling with friends.
