Unyx Sta. Ana, 40, is the fifth generation of her family to venture into shoemaking.
She is also from Marikina, a city regarded as the shoe capital of the country for its quality footwear.
Her ancestors began their love affair with shoemaking in 1887, when national hero Jose Rizal was 26 years old.
Apparently, the glory days of Marikina as the shoe capital are no longer what they used to be.
Over time, the city’s shoemaking industry has lost some of its luster, and a business that once thrived is now struggling.
Nevertheless, despite the odds, Unyx continues to keep the 139-year legacy of her family and her city alive.
She takes on the challenge of introducing their heritage to a new generation.
In 2017, Unyx, together with her father, Rico Sta. Ana, established Zapateria, the country’s first creative hub for footwear design and development, with the aim of fostering the next generation of independent shoemakers.
In line with this mission, Zapateria partnered with seven other independent shoemakers and designers from Marikina to create Shoe Avenue, a new concept space at Spatio in Opus Mall, Quezon City.
Shoe Avenue is currently a community comprising eight independent Filipino footwear brands, from established names rooted in generations of shoemaking to emerging labels bringing fresh ideas to materials, silhouettes, and design.
Coincidentally, Shoe Avenue is also the name of a real street in Marikina.
“We want to be able to show the new take on what we can make here in Marikina. Our family has been making shoes since 1887,” Unyx tells PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the launch of Shoe Avenue on September 24, 2026.
For Unyx, putting up Shoe Avenue at Opus Mall is more than just creating a retail space for quality, locally made footwear.
“What's more important is how we can pass this on from one generation to the other.
“And the best way is to welcome the different brands to come together to do so.
“So this space, hopefully, can showcase what we can offer individually as a brand, [and] show them the different expressions of what we can make in Marikina, and bring it closer to you guys.
“So gusto naming mapakita kung ano pa yung kayang ibigay ng Marikina beyond what we can currently see now, and to encourage more shoemakers from Marikina, or even outside Marikina, to be part of this space.
“And more importantly, for Filipinos to appreciate the craftsmanship and design that we put in every detail in making shoes.”
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UNYX KEEPING THE LEGACY ALIVE
It is safe to say that Shoe Avenue is a passion project for Unyx, along with the other seven shoe brands, namely: Alunsinag, Bida Loca, Bucroe, Charis, Hayo, Posh Pocket, and Wumwum.
“When my dad got into accident, we realized within the family that no one wants to follow [in] the footsteps, and I understand now why, because it's really challenging to run a shoe workshop. You're faced with the competition in the global market.”
Nonetheless, Unyx, together with her fellow shoe designers in Marikina, continue to be hopeful because they believe in what they can offer as shoemakers.
Shoemaking is not just what they are good at. It is a longstanding craft that Marikina shoemakers have a deep and enduring love for, even if it is no longer as lucrative as it once was.
“Definitely not the same as before, but we look forward to the possibilities of the future, and that could happen because we have the community with us,” Unyx beams.
And shoemaking runs deep for Unyx, not just because it is a tradition in her family for more than a century.
She tells PEP: “Honestly, it came also quite as surprise. I feel like pag lumaki ka sa sapatusan, it put food on the table, it sent us to schools.
"Ang hirap makawala. It's part of our soul and our DNA, na naturally napamahal na siya sa akin.
“Ang sabi nga nila, more than the shoes, it's really the love for craft and the way that we are able to challenge ourselves with the making process.”