The Oldest Footwear Store in Liliw, Laguna

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Socialite Ingrid Footwear in Liliw, Laguna started in 1950 and is the oldest continuously operating footwear store in the town today. It is a family-run business that comes from Liliw’s long tradition of handmade footwear, where shoes are still made by hand, pair by pair, and known for their quality and durability.

The interior of Socialite Ingrid Footwear, with customers inside choosing footwear.

Mrs. Emma Camello works as the sales clerk at the store.

One of the handmade shoes available in the store.

As shared by Mr. and Mrs. Frankie Camello, their story is connected to a long line of footwear businesses in Liliw. Before Socialite Ingrid, there was Dimasira Footwear, founded in 1931 by Casiano Pisueña, which was once the first major footwear store in the area. It eventually closed in the 1970s because no one continued it. Later on, Badong Footwear started in 1962, along with other small shops that came and went over the years.

The storefront of Socialite Ingrid Footwear.

Badong Footwear, located next to Socialite Ingrid Footwear.

Mrs. Emma Camello also remembers that when she was still young and unmarried, her father already had another footwear store called Emma’s Footwear, showing that handmade footwear has really been part of their family life for a long time.

A newspaper clipping featuring a review of the store, photographed by Jovel Lorenzo.

A photo of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her visit to the store.

Mr. Frankie Camello owns Socialite Footwear, and when they got married, the family businesses became one. Their parents later passed the business on to them, and now they have already passed it on to their children, who continue running it with their guidance and support. The tradition of handmade footwear is still being carried on through the next generation.

They also point out how things changed over time. Machine-made shoes, especially from China, became strong competition because they are produced in large volumes and sold at much lower prices due to cheaper labor and materials. Handmade shoes in Liliw, on the other hand, take more time to produce and involve higher costs like transportation and other expenses, but are still valued for their quality and craftsmanship.

Another photo of the interior of Socialite Ingrid Footwear, facing the front entrance.

Today, Socialite Ingrid Footwear continues to stand in Liliw as one of the longest-running footwear stores, holding on to its tradition while adapting to changes like online selling and shifting customer habits.