Gandara in Binondo used to be the "shoe capital" of pre-war Philippines. The Marikina shoe industry was just starting then and most of their finished products were bought and traded here. Chinese-owned Shoe and shoe-supply stores used to line both sides of the street and people flocked there to get themselves a bargain pair of shoes, for shoes were quite expensive at the premier shopping spot at that time which was Escolta.
Gandara - the place remains, but the shoe-shops have long been gone. Now, very few of us from the younger generation know this place's storied past as far as the country's shoe-history is concerned.
Showing posts with label Binondo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Binondo. Show all posts
2008-01-14
ELPO Building
The building is now home to a bank, and ELPO sneakers have long been eclipsed by global shoe-brands. Ask your parents or grandparents what rubber shoes they wore when they were young and they'd more likely say ELPO.
ELPO Building (2005)
Originally uploaded by mrbinondo
ELPO Building (2005)
Originally uploaded by mrbinondo
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