Very Nice Locally Handcrafted Leather Items

On another note, I want to talk about some of my excellent local finds.  Finds that I think are exceptional both in terms of quality and value.  I am by no means "bespoke" whatever that means, I just hear the metro people using that nowadays and I imagine it pertains to something fashionable but I do know when I like something and it doesn't have to expensive or imported.  And here are two things I really, really like.

Jancorba Belts

Jancorba is an institution in Makati Cinema Square where I have been going since I was a wee child.  It is located on the second floor, same floor as Jollibee and if you are facing Jollibee go to the left corridor and it will be on your left.  It is a leather shop that sells everything from wallets, shoes,belts and holsters (In case you didn't know, Makati Cinema Square is gun mecca in the Philippines, almost all gun shops have presence in the basement and there are two shooting ranges there).

Jancorba sells very thick leather belts built for the purpose of carrying a holstered gun which means it has to be thick and durable.  And yet, they are incredibly soft and look really good with a pair of jeans.  They have black, brown, tan and even cordovan/cherry sometimes.  As you can see from my picture above, the construction is heavy, double stitched (you can choose single if you like), thick aluminum buckle and its riveted for strength.  Truly an awesome belt that could be an excellent gift and its onlyP600 pesos last time I bought!  Jancorba builds the leather goods themselves, although they have been around a long time, the operation is still small and ran off a home factory.  There is only one other branch in Pasay.  You can get shoes and boots made to order there.  Their wallets look like those Saddlebacks too.


Mark R Shoes

Mark R has also been around.  It is one of the old Marikina Shoe factories and you can find an outlet in Marikina Shoe Expo over at Cubao X.  Their shoes are truly excellent value for money as most are less than 2k.  Look at the lovely honey tan number I'm rocking up there, the tan has developed a beautiful deep patina over time and that is just the leather.  The sole is made of recycled aircraft tires.  Thats right, these babies should last a very long time and I go through phases were I wear my favorite shoes for weeks on end and these have held up very well, unlike the designer China made things you find nowadays that have the soles flying off them.  These babies are stitched!  They are comfortable too but don't expect padding, but you can easily fix that by getting aftermarket insoles at sport shops.

Buy Pinoy!!!