Artesano was launched on June 14, 2024, during the chapter's 64th Induction & Turnover Ceremonies. More than 500 guests were there, including national and international JCI figures such as Crispin Dy, 1997 JCI World President, and Kim Kyung-Seop, 2024 Chairman of JCI Incheon Namdong.
Why Artesano
Marikina once ranked second in Asian shoemaking, behind only Japan. After Typhoon Ulysses and the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's shoe industry declined by an estimated 80%.
The community remains resilient… but it needs all the help it can get.
— Juan Sonny "Jong" Belleza III, 2024 Local Organization President
What it sets out to do
Artesano serves as a platform for different projects that aim to revive the industry. It focuses on:
- Equipping local artisans with modern strategies, so they don't fall behind an expanding market.
- Championing artisanal work over mass production.
- Positioning Marikina as a destination for shoe and craft enthusiasts: a place people visit not just to buy Marikina-made shoes, but to experience the city's shoemaking culture.
The first program under Artesano is Sapahisturismo.