Liliw’s Tsinelas Festival: A Boost to Laguna’s Local Tourism and Footwear Industry

In April 2002,, the first "Liliw Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival" named in honor of Gat Tayaw, the founder of Liliw, was celebrated with no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the guest of honor.

Since the holding of the first Tsinelas Festival, Liliw has been flocked by more buyers, tourist, and businessmen.Somehow, the festival has improved the Liliweños way of life.The past years,they noticed that the demand for their products has increased.

Their limited manpower hardly meets the demand for supply.Today, Biñan and Marikina footwear workers saturate Liliw.Most of their workers coming from the said places find their opportunities in LIliw.

According to Vic Camello, president of Liliw Tourism Council, Who was among those who initiated the Tsinelas Festival together with some members of the local development council and sectors of the municipality, each year, the number of tourist who come to Liliw for the festival has increased.

Liliw formally became the "footwear capital of Laguna" through Resolutions No. 38-S-2003 of the Sangguniang Bayan of Liliw and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Laguna through Resolution No. 405-S-2003 dated August 4, 2003.

Founded in 1571 by Gat Tayaw, the small, peaceful, and picturesque town of Liliw is nested at the foot of Mt. Banahaw, 17 kilometers away from Sta. Cruz, Laguna’s capital.

According to a story, Liliw got its name from a bird. It was said that Gat Tayaw and his followers decided to erect a bamboo pole within four days. A crow, however, was the first bird to alight Tayaw and his men moved south and erected another bamboo pole. With constant vigil, a beautiful bird alighted on the pole and sang, “Liw, liw, liw.” Thus, the town became Liliw.

Throughout the Spanish regime, the name Liliw was used. When the Americans came, however, on June 11, 1965, the municipal council passed Resolution No. 38-S-65, which declared Liliw as the official name and spelling of the town. It became Lilio since the Americans found it easier to pronounce it than Liliw.

The goal to develop and unite Liliweños did not stop at being mere intentions. Liliweños made sure their dream for their town could be accomplished through good works in order to develop and promote their footwear industry as a viable economic activity that spurred not only the social but entrepreneurial growth of its citizens.

Aside from the footwear products, the town of Liliw boasts of other products like the tasty uraro biscuits and lambanog coconut wine.
One of the highlights of the festival was the street dancing event.

It was participated in by spirited elementary and high school students, local government employees, and footwear manufacturers dressed in colorful costumes displaying miniatures of multicolored slippers either as earrings, necklace, headdresses or knick-knacks.

The town folks, young and old, went of their abodes and lined up along both sides of the narrow downtown roads to witness the participants. Each participant showed the traditional dances of Liliweños depicting historical tales of their ancestors.

Another event was the Musikahan, which displayed the fabulous songs and the musicality of the Liliweños. Meanwhile, the Search for Mutya ng Liliw was a night to remember for the young ladies of Liliw.

And Liliw, one of its own distinctions from the rest of the towns of Laguna abounds with the blessings of nature and a rich culture and artistic heritage. Traditional arts and crafts thrive in every towns is fast making its own distinction from the rest of the towns of Laguna through its footwear industry.

Annie Buenavente, May 30, 2004Philippine Panorama Manila Bulletin

Proceed to Best of Pinoys