Tsinelas capital: Stories behind Liliw's famous footwear
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Tsinelas capital: Stories behind Liliw's famous footwear
Jonathan Cellona,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 24, 2025 08:38 PM PHT
Liliw in Laguna is abuzz these days as locals prepare for the annual Tsinelas Festival. A popular summer destination, Liliw also attracts visitors who want to escape the heat of the city, enjoy its natural swimming spots, and sample local cuisine. But the one product the town is most famous for is its slippers.
Dubbed the 'Tsinelas (slipper) Capital of the Philippines,' the town is known for its top-quality, durable slippers and sandals, which are a major tourist draw in the province located south of Metro Manila. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsThe slipper-making industry in Liliw dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, with the first store opened by Casiano Pisueña. He sold the first tsinelas made from tistis (coconut spathe), with soles crafted from recycled rubber tires. According to historical accounts, ‘Dimasira’ was the name of the first slipper brand produced at the time, meaning "hindi masira" or "indestructible."
From those first steps of the industry, the craft has not only endured but has thrived. Neighbors and residents have learned the craft and made their own slippers as well. While the industry suffered for a while during the pandemic, it has made a strong comeback since.
One tsinelas maker is Corazon Coligado, 54. Her footwear shop, Ai-She Footwear, is still making beautiful and durable slippers andsandals and now ventures into shoemaking.
Coligado used to work as a nurse, while her husband was a seaman. They started their business as a way to look after their family while running a business in their hometown.
“Sa tagal na niyang nagba-barko, at lumalaki ng ang mga anak namin, nag-isip kami ng negosyo na pwede, at papatok din sa Liliw,” she said.
The Coligados initially used local materials such as abaca (Manila hemp) fibers to produce their slippers, making their products unique.
As the cottage industry began gaining attention from other parts of the country and the fashion world started taking notice of the province’s footwear, she received some assistance from the government.
Liliw in Laguna is abuzz these days as locals prepare for the annual Tsinelas Festival. A popular summer destination, Liliw also attracts visitors who want to escape the heat of the city, enjoy its natural swimming spots, and sample local cuisine. But the one product the town is most famous for is its slippers.
Dubbed the 'Tsinelas (slipper) Capital of the Philippines,' the town is known for its top-quality, durable slippers and sandals, which are a major tourist draw in the province located south of Metro Manila. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsThe slipper-making industry in Liliw dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, with the first store opened by Casiano Pisueña. He sold the first tsinelas made from tistis (coconut spathe), with soles crafted from recycled rubber tires. According to historical accounts, ‘Dimasira’ was the name of the first slipper brand produced at the time, meaning "hindi masira" or "indestructible."
From those first steps of the industry, the craft has not only endured but has thrived. Neighbors and residents have learned the craft and made their own slippers as well. While the industry suffered for a while during the pandemic, it has made a strong comeback since.
One tsinelas maker is Corazon Coligado, 54. Her footwear shop, Ai-She Footwear, is still making beautiful and durable slippers andsandals and now ventures into shoemaking.
Coligado used to work as a nurse, while her husband was a seaman. They started their business as a way to look after their family while running a business in their hometown.
“Sa tagal na niyang nagba-barko, at lumalaki ng ang mga anak namin, nag-isip kami ng negosyo na pwede, at papatok din sa Liliw,” she said.
The Coligados initially used local materials such as abaca (Manila hemp) fibers to produce their slippers, making their products unique.
As the cottage industry began gaining attention from other parts of the country and the fashion world started taking notice of the province’s footwear, she received some assistance from the government.
Dubbed the 'Tsinelas (slipper) Capital of the Philippines,' the town is known for its top-quality, durable slippers and sandals, which are a major tourist draw in the province located south of Metro Manila. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsThe slipper-making industry in Liliw dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, with the first store opened by Casiano Pisueña. He sold the first tsinelas made from tistis (coconut spathe), with soles crafted from recycled rubber tires. According to historical accounts, ‘Dimasira’ was the name of the first slipper brand produced at the time, meaning "hindi masira" or "indestructible."From those first steps of the industry, the craft has not only endured but has thrived. Neighbors and residents have learned the craft and made their own slippers as well. While the industry suffered for a while during the pandemic, it has made a strong comeback since.
One tsinelas maker is Corazon Coligado, 54. Her footwear shop, Ai-She Footwear, is still making beautiful and durable slippers andsandals and now ventures into shoemaking.
Coligado used to work as a nurse, while her husband was a seaman. They started their business as a way to look after their family while running a business in their hometown.
“Sa tagal na niyang nagba-barko, at lumalaki ng ang mga anak namin, nag-isip kami ng negosyo na pwede, at papatok din sa Liliw,” she said.
The Coligados initially used local materials such as abaca (Manila hemp) fibers to produce their slippers, making their products unique.
As the cottage industry began gaining attention from other parts of the country and the fashion world started taking notice of the province’s footwear, she received some assistance from the government.
Workers make slippers (locally known as tsinelas) at a shop in Liliw, Laguna, on April 23, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News“Hanggang sa natulungan tayo ng ating LGU (local government unit) and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) nakagawa tayo, hindi lang ng tsinelas, kundi sapatos hanggang nagawa natin yung mga matataas na wedge,” she said.
Coligado takes pride in using local materials for producing slippers and sandals.
The wood-wedge shoes are created in collaboration with the wood carvers of Paete, Laguna. Fabrics are sourced from various parts of the country, such as Yakan from Basilan or Zamboanga, and Inabel from the Ilocos region.
Aside from these indigenous textiles, embroidered fabrics from Lumban, Laguna, are also used in their shoes.
“Kagaya ng Lumban, Laguna—’yung embroidery nila doon. So lahat, mas maganda kasi ’yung gumagawa ka ng produkto na talagang galing sa puso,” she said, emphasizing the importance of using materials that reflect the heart of different regions. “Kaya natatawag natin na ang Liliw ay Tsinelas Capital of the Philippines, yan ay masarap ipagmalaki, ang gawa natin, gawang kamay, may pagmamahal.”
Workers make slippers (locally known as tsinelas) at a shop in Liliw, Laguna, on April 23, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News“Hanggang sa natulungan tayo ng ating LGU (local government unit) and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) nakagawa tayo, hindi lang ng tsinelas, kundi sapatos hanggang nagawa natin yung mga matataas na wedge,” she said.Coligado takes pride in using local materials for producing slippers and sandals.
The wood-wedge shoes are created in collaboration with the wood carvers of Paete, Laguna. Fabrics are sourced from various parts of the country, such as Yakan from Basilan or Zamboanga, and Inabel from the Ilocos region.
Aside from these indigenous textiles, embroidered fabrics from Lumban, Laguna, are also used in their shoes.
“Kagaya ng Lumban, Laguna—’yung embroidery nila doon. So lahat, mas maganda kasi ’yung gumagawa ka ng produkto na talagang galing sa puso,” she said, emphasizing the importance of using materials that reflect the heart of different regions. “Kaya natatawag natin na ang Liliw ay Tsinelas Capital of the Philippines, yan ay masarap ipagmalaki, ang gawa natin, gawang kamay, may pagmamahal.”
The shop is not just about slippers, according to Coligado. Because it is a labor of love, they make it a point to welcome anyone who is willing to work. The shop also employs persons with disabilities.
Analyn Cabanero, who is deaf-mute, works as a slipper-maker at Ai-She Footwear in Liliw, Laguna. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Analyn Cabanero, who is deaf-mute, uses her skillful hands to craft high-quality shoe entradas or vamps. She works swiftly, sewing retazos—scrap fabric left from the cuttings of other products.
For Coligado and Jennilyn, Analyn’s sister, disabilities should not hinder anyone from having a decent source of income to support their families.Having witnessed the creative output of people with disabilities, she encourages them to never lose hope.
Through her sister Jennilyn’s translation, Analyn encourages PWDs, especially those who are deaf-mute like her, to work and remain hopeful.
“Ang message po niya sa mga katulad niyang mga deaf and mute: magtrabaho at huwag mawalan ng pag-asa, kasi ’yan naman po ay kanilang ikakabuhay. Kailangan siyempre, tuloy pa rin. Huwag nila isipin na mapipigilan sila ng kapansanan. Habambuhay na ’yan, hindi naman nila mababago. Pero ang pagtatrabaho ay maganda para sa kanila.”
The shop is not just about slippers, according to Coligado. Because it is a labor of love, they make it a point to welcome anyone who is willing to work. The shop also employs persons with disabilities.
Analyn Cabanero, who is deaf-mute, works as a slipper-maker at Ai-She Footwear in Liliw, Laguna. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsAnalyn Cabanero, who is deaf-mute, uses her skillful hands to craft high-quality shoe entradas or vamps. She works swiftly, sewing retazos—scrap fabric left from the cuttings of other products.
For Coligado and Jennilyn, Analyn’s sister, disabilities should not hinder anyone from having a decent source of income to support their families.Having witnessed the creative output of people with disabilities, she encourages them to never lose hope.
Through her sister Jennilyn’s translation, Analyn encourages PWDs, especially those who are deaf-mute like her, to work and remain hopeful.
“Ang message po niya sa mga katulad niyang mga deaf and mute: magtrabaho at huwag mawalan ng pag-asa, kasi ’yan naman po ay kanilang ikakabuhay. Kailangan siyempre, tuloy pa rin. Huwag nila isipin na mapipigilan sila ng kapansanan. Habambuhay na ’yan, hindi naman nila mababago. Pero ang pagtatrabaho ay maganda para sa kanila.”
Ai-She Footwear will be participating in the upcoming 21st Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival. Their products will be sold alongside hundreds of other handmade slippers and shoes crafted by the slipper makers of Liliw.
(Production: Jonathan Cellona, Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News)
Ai-She Footwear will be participating in the upcoming 21st Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival. Their products will be sold alongside hundreds of other handmade slippers and shoes crafted by the slipper makers of Liliw.
(Production: Jonathan Cellona, Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News)
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