The not-so-glitzy life of a repairman

You felt so good one morning for it was a fine day. You had the best sleep last night and a sumptuous breakfast that morning. Getting ready for another adventure, you packed up your things but noticed that your backpack is torn. The sun was shining brightly so you grabbed your favorite umbrella but came to realize that it was broken. Darn! One bad day coming up.

Having problems with your bags, umbrellas and shoes? Manong Reynaldo Yamson is the superhero you need. He owns a repair shop in Junquera Street, the very place where he started with repair business more than 10 years ago.

Manong Reynaldo is an Ilocano who preferred to stay in Cebu for it was here where he met the woman he wanted to spend his life with. Blessed with six children, 52 year old Manong Reynaldo works hard to send them all to school. However, considering the problems our economy, truly his P200.00 earning for one day is not enough.

"Lisud kay mingaw man," he explains trying to make me understand that it is difficult if you have only two to three customers in one day. Especially, if they only need sewing services, because mostly such service will only cost P20.00.

He said he used to work in a tailoring here in Cebu but was encouraged by his wife and inspired by his uncle to try repairing services since his uncle owns one.

As I see it, Manong Reynaldo is left with no choice but to go on with his business because of the fact that it is difficult to find a job these days, "Ok raman kay la man lain trabaho." (It's good enough because there's no other available job.)

What is advantageous in such work is that, "Lingkod ka lang, muduol ra ang customer nimo," he said jokingly serious with a big smile on his face. (You just sit down and the customers just come around.)

Repairing services is not as easy as it seems, sitting with a slouched back, your hands sticky or black because of rugby and dye, sometimes giving all your force cutting rubber. Sewing, getting a scratch or worse a deep cut, and still the customers will not be so happy with your work. It will take more than strength, it will take love for work. After all, loving what you do and feeling that it matters brings more happiness one can imagine.