THE Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City incorporated the city’s shoemaking industry into the concept of its Halad sa Pagtuo 2026 performance on Saturday, August 29, as part of efforts to help revive the declining industry.
Patty Betita, artistic director, said a SunStar Cebu article about Carcar’s shoemakers prompted the concept, which was presented theatrically as a tribute to local shoemakers. The article had earlier gained significant engagement from the community.
Also read: Carcar’s fading shoe legacy
As a Carcar resident, Betita said the development also prompted her to reflect on what is being done to revive the city’s fading shoemaking industry.
“Because for us to really revive the old tradition, we have to retell the story in a magical way,” Betita said.
“I think this year we have to question ourselves. Are we going to live in a fantasy, or are we going to take the leap and, of course, be able to live in a reality that our industry is really slowing down?” Betita added.
The city government, through Mayor Patrick Barcenas, is now taking steps to innovate and engage with shoemakers in the industry to explore ways to upgrade and strengthen the sector. (DPC)