Liliw is dubbed as the "Tsinelas Capital" of Laguna, a province located south of Metro Manila. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

LILIW, Laguna -- It's all about slippers in Liliw, Laguna as the province's footwear capital celebrates local pride and craftsmanship in its 21st Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival.

The festival, which runs from April 25 to 27, is named after the town's founder, Gat Tayaw. It showcases Liliw's heritage and expertise in the footwear industry, which was introduced by "Father of Tsinelas" Casiano Pisueña in 1931.

Tsinelas capital: Stories behind Liliw's famous footwear

Liliw municipal administrator An Sheren Ordoveza-Manalo said this year's celebration aims to give a boost to the town's slipper-making industry amid the prevalence of online marketplaces. 

"Ngayon, mas pino-promote namin din talaga 'yung sa slippers, 'yung kung paano natin mas mama-market at mas mapapabili 'yung mga tao ng tsinelas, given the fact na marami nang orders online. At paano natin mapapapunta sa Liliw talaga 'yung mga tao," she told ABS-CBN News. 

She further stated that the festival also serves as a platform for preserving the town's liveliness and culture--embodying their hometown identity, "Bayang mapang-aliw, Bayan ng Liliw."

A giant slipper on display in Liliw, Laguna as the town celebrates the Tsinelas Festival. Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Liliw, Laguna

This year's Tsinelas Festival celebration features activities that blend the traditional with the modern, with the event expected to attract around 10,000 attendees. 

Among these are "Porma (Damit, Tsinelas, at Musika)" and "Likha ng Magtsitsinelas at ni Luis Pangan," which involve collaborations between fashion designers and slipper manufacturers; and the street party "Lively Liliw, Love Liliw: Happy Nights at Gat Tayaw Street."

"Ipapakita namin 'yung collaboration between fashion and the slipper industry--kung paano mapapaganda at kung paano matutulungan ng makabagong tradisyon ang ating magtsitsinelas," Ordoveza-Manalo said. 

Other activities lined up for the 3-day festival include a "Grand Zumbanella" event to promote women's health and empowerment; a "Palarong Panlahi" which features traditional Filipino games like palo-sebo and patintero; and "Lukayuan," a tradition believed to cast away bad spirits and attract a bountiful harvest. 

Growing slipper industry

What started as a small slipper industry has grown into the main source of livelihood for many Liliweños. As of 2024, the town is home to 36 registered footwear manufacturers.

"Kapag sinabi mong Liliw, tsinelas 'yan," said Ordoveza-Manalo, highlighting how slippers have become their hometown's trademark.

What sets Liliw's offerings apart, especially compared to fast-fashion competitors, is quality. The town's abaca-made footwear promise both durability and comfort. 

Slippers by Aishe, a brand from Liliw, Laguna. Photo courtesy of Municipality of Liliw, Laguna

According to Ordoveza-Manalo, the town's tsinelas industry continues to thrive, thanks to tourists who continue to patronize their products. Liliw-made slippers have also reached international borders, with exports extending to Europe, United States of America, and Canada.

"I can totally say na mas lumalakas [ang industry] kasi even 'yung araw-araw, marami kaming nakikitang turista dito na talagang dumadayo," she said, adding that the annual Tsinelas festival plays a key role in boosting tourism and the local economy. 

The local government is building on this momentum, developing initiatives to integrate slipper-making into the academic curriculum so it can be passed to younger generations. 

"Nasa part na po ng pinag-aaralan kung paano ang paggawa ng tsinelas sa curriculum ng mga bata, katulad ng sa Paete na nasa curriculum na ang pag-uukit," Ordoveza-Manalo said. 

"We are looking forward na ang Liliw ay maging 'Tsinelas Capital of the Philippines' na, and not only the 'Tsinelas Capital of Laguna,'" she expressed.