JOEY Enriquez is far too humble to say it, but in taking on the towering legacy of his father's shoemaking business, he hasn't just filled the proverbial big shoes his idol and hero left behind. With every step forward, Enriquez has gone beyond them, carving out a remarkable path of his own. His journey, spanning decades of success, adversity, and revival, is a testament to both his passion and perseverance in the shoe industry. Enriquez's story begins in 1955, when his father, Ceferino Roxas Enriquez, a pioneer of the Philippine shoe industry, founded the original Meg's brand in the country's shoemaking capital of Marikina. "My dad was a true sapatero [shoemaker]," Enriquez proudly shares in this exclusive interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, his voice brimming with admiration. "He started from the ground up, handcrafting shoes with meticulous attention to detail." Ceferino's relentless pursuit of perfection is deeply etched into his son's memory. "He would spend hours ensuring the shoe's fit, form, and style were perfect. He wasn't just a shoemaker; he was an artist." For a young Joey, the factory became more than just a family business; it was a playground. "Many of the factory workers were even my aunts and uncles. I'd run around watching them work, getting my hands into things, smelling the leather." This scent, the rhythmic clack of shoe molds and the chatter of workers — these sensory memories are as vivid as ever to Enriquez. "There was this sense of magic in the factory," he recalls with a nostalgic smile, "like I was watching something come to life." In time, Ceferino's shoes began to grace the feet of local celebrities and socialites. Enriquez, in fact, still marvels at the memory of glamorous clients walking through their doors. feet of local celebrities and socialites. Enriquez, in fact, still marvels at the memory of glamorous clients walking through their doors. "We were like the Ferragamo of Manila," he says, pausing to savor the comparison, referencing how Ferragamo was the go-to shoemaker for Hollywood stars like Audrey Hepburn back then. "Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes — they were the stars of the day, and my dad's shoes were part of their looks," he says of the golden age of Philippine cinema's movie queens. These encounters with Filipino royalty weren't just business transactions for the young Joey. What they were comprised Enriquez's first yet lasting brush with the power of fashion, sparking his own love for the craft of shoemaking. From Meg's to Figlia: Joey's first steps While Enriquez was one of seven children, he was the only one who determinedly chose to carry the family torch. "My other siblings left and migrated abroad when the Martial Law era began. They were more focused on building their families," he shares in complete understanding. "But I stayed. This was home and this was our business, and I loved them both too much." Neither the political turbulence of the 1970s nor the uncertainty following the Edsa People Power Revolution in the coming decade could sway Enriquez's commitment to the family business. So, in 1986, the de facto successor of the legendary Ceferino Enriquez made his boldest move yet. Deciding to focus on the female market, he launched his own brand, Figlia, which is the Ital-ian for daughter. "I wanted to honor my father, but I also needed to grow," he says. Figlia was, therefore, not only an homage to his father's legacy but also the com-petent and devoted son's way of forging his own identity in the industry.The bold move, fortunately, paid off. Enriquez's timing was impeccable — SM Department Store was then expanding, and he became their first-ever shoe concessionaire. "It was a big deal at the time," he says, his eyes lighting up with pride. "Figlia was everywhere. Every fashion show you could think of, our shoes were there." He recalls working closely with the most prominent names in Philippine fashion, like Efren Ocampo, Mike dela Rosa, Jeannie Goulburn and Lulu Tan Gan, to name a few. "They'd call me up and say, 'Shoes please,'" En-riquez ever so sweetly mimics them. "They needed shoes for the runway, and we delivered. Glitter, satin, high heels, you name it." On rocky ground: Adversity and renewal As Enriquez's success grew, so did the chal-lenges, of course. The late '80s were a turbulent period for the Philippine economy, and the Asian Financial Crisis of the '90s delivered a devastating blow."We were doing great, but the financial crisis hit hard," he recalls, his tone somber. "We'd taken loans to buy new equipment to keep up with demand. And that was when our troubles began because, like everyone else, the crisis hit us badly."The financial turmoil forced Joey to make difficult decisions. His factory workers went on strike, demanding better wages — a movement that swept the nation during Cory Aquino's presidency. "I had no choice but to shut it down," he admits. "That was one of the lowest points for me. Suddenly, I had no factory, and debts piling up." In the face of adversity, Enriquez made an unexpected pivot. With his business closing down alongside so many others, he left for New York, seeking refuge and inspiration. "I wasn't even planning to stay," he shrugs. "But then I stumbled on the Parsons School of Design, and it changed everything." Enriquez applied to study shoe design at one of the world's most prestigious art schools on a whim and was accepted. "It was like stepping into a new world," he says, his voice filled with wonder. "At Parsons, they treat shoe design like science — every pattern, every stitch is meticulously calculated. It's not just about how a shoe looks; it's about how it works." Enriquez's time at Parsons not only refined his technical skills but deepened his respect for the craft. "One of my professors had designed shoes for Michael Jackson. I was like a sponge, just absorbing everything." A second wind: In step with the Chan family After his time in New York, Enriquez returned to the Philippines, ready to rebuild his brand. But this time, he had help. A fortuitous part-nership with the Chan family, owners of CMG Retail Inc., breathed new life into Figlia. "Mr. and Mrs. (Kok Bin and Victoria) Chan — they were a godsend," he says of the CMG principals. "Without them, I don't think we'd have survived."Much like Enriquez's own, the Chan family were pioneers in the Philippine shoe industry, building their reputation with the renowned Celine brand (later changed to "CLN" so as not to be confused with the Italian Celine when the latter entered the Philippine market). Established decades ago, Celine or CLN became synonymous with quality footwear and a staple in Filipino fashion, known for blending style with comfort. "The Chans were like us — rooted in tradition but always looking ahead," Enriquez reflects. As such, their shared values and deep understanding of the craft made the partnership a natural fit. "And so, steeled with the Chan family's support, Enriquez expanded Figlia's reach. He launched Figlia Uomo, a men's footwear line, and diversified into new sub-brands. These include Figliarina, which is a line dedicated to more sophisticated day-to-night shoes and sandals with matching chic bags; Sorores, a category of stylish yet technically advanced comfort shoes and sneakers; and the exciting and playful line of Shubizz footwear, often referred to as Figlia's "Barbie Shoes," with colors and styles that are straight off the catwalk. "The Chans understood the market and helped us evolve," Enriquez gratefully acknowledges. From then on, with both families dedicated to preserving the legacy of Philippine shoemaking, they solidly fell in step in navigating the changing tides of fashion retail together, adapting to new trends while staying ever faithful to their core values. Sprinting ahead: Sustainability and beyond Today, Figlia and its equally successful sub-brands are undoubtedly household names in Philippine fashion. But Enriquez isn't resting on his laurels. In fact, he is already looking to the future — particularly in the area of sustainability. "We've started using vegan materials, experimenting with eco-friendly options," he shares. "That's where the industry is heading, and we want to lead the way." When asked about his proudest achievement, the ever-grounded son of Ceferino Enriquez doesn't hesitate. "It's not just the shoes," he says softly. "It's the people. The people who've worked with me, the customers who've stayed with us all these years — that's what makes it all worth it." As Joey Enriquez continues to shape the future of Philippine footwear — ready and equipped to sprint no matter what direction technology and the ever-changing trends perpetually shift — he knows when to cool his heels every now and then and look back to the values that have guided him since the very beginning. "My father's legacy will always be a part of me," he says with a smile. And as he welcomes the new generation from his and the Chan family's side to step into their shoes very soon, the Enriquez scion is just as devotedly doing all he can to instill in them, too, the path of passion and perseverance that led him on a journey he once almost thought was beyond his reach. When asked about his proudest achievement, the ever-grounded son of Ceferino Enriquez doesn't hesitate. "It's not just the shoes," he says softly. "It's the people. The people who've worked with me, the customers who've stayed with us all these years — that's what makes it all worth it." *** Figlia, Figliarina, Sorores, Shubizz and Uomo are brands of Charter International Inc. Since 1998, Charter International Inc. has been part of the Celine Group of Companies, under the CMG Retail, Inc. umbrella.