Besa's Shoes and Services - Muntinlupa City, Philippines

BESA'S SHOES AND SERVICES began on February 11, 1935 as a single proprietorship that the "Master Shoe Shine Boy" Mamerto Besa started. The great shoe shine boy humbly began his business by just shining shoes along the streets of Binondo in Manila, Philippines. Binondo happens to be the trade and financial district of the country during the early 1930's. As soon as he was able to save money from shining shoes, he was able to open his first Besa's store a block away from the former Manila Stock Exchange in Escolta which was the shopping center of Manila. By the early 1940's, the Japanese invaded Manila and World War II had begun. Because Mamerto's savings all went to dust due to bombings, he had to start from the beginning.