One of the most important parts of Living in the Philippines is finding the people you need to get things done. Tradesmen, handymen, builders and the rest of the assortment of qualified people you need to get something fixed or built.
When talking to a friend and explaining the trouble you’re having with something, and your friend says to you; “I have a guy!” This is like music to your ears, “The Guy” comes recommended to you from a friend and your problem is 50% solved.
Over the 20 years I’ve been here I have collected a vast list of “Guys” all of who hold a specialized talent in areas that I lack. I would never have survived without these hard working folks. I was just at the funeral of the man who built my Mindanao Bob Deluxe BBQ Grill, truly a good and talented man. We’ll miss the Kuya.
If you can name the job, I’ll wager I have a “Guy” on my list that can handle it and handle it well. Over the years I’ve cultivated my list, adding sometimes and culling at other times. But there will come that once in awhile when a new thing comes up and you are lacking “The Guy” on your list to accomplish this new task.
I never panic because I’m 100% sure that one of “My Guy’s” knows another guy that has that talent. The benefit to that is when he recommends you to the new “Guy” he’ll fill him in on what type of person you are. Things like:
Are you an ugly Kano?
Do you pay fairly and on time?
Do you interfere in the work being done with new and improved “Foreign” ways of doing the job?
WARNING “Danger Will Robinson” A few years back I recommended one of these guys to a Kano, the next time I called my guy he wasn’t interested in working for me ever again. It seems the other Kano mistreated him and I was guilty by association. If I hadn’t gone to the “GUY’s” house with a case of beer and apologized, my list would have been lacking an important name and I would also lose a friend. The Kano I’ve not seen since that day. I’ve been very careful since then with my list.
This week my list has been utilized twice. Sunday my “Puter” was acting up and generally doing strange things. I phone Joel my puter guy, he was busy that day but Monday he’ll drop by and take a look. Late Monday he came by took a look, worked his magic and was back down the road with pesos in his pocket and a smile on his and my face.
Monday night there is a brownout just before bed, it was a cool evening so with the windows open a good night’s sleep was achieved. 5 AM I started my Honda Generator, flicked some switches and power was flowing. At 9 AM the machine shut its self off, I went out back and restarted it after checking oil and gas and proper switch settings and it fired right up. Humming along until I hit the breaker to send electric power to the house, nothing happened the generator was running but it had ceased generating.
Tony was working for the company where I bought the generator back in 1999, and he installed it at our house. When talking to him I found that he and his family live one street over. So he looked at me and I looked at him, and said: “Tony, then you could be the one to maintain the generator without your boss being involved and keeping all the money I pay.” That plan had merit and Tony has serviced and done the maintenance on the machine ever since. Plus the shared parties and a beer or two between us.
Tuesday morning with no power, Tony arrived and within a few minutes found that the thingy that spins real fast in the magnetic field making electricity was blown out, and basically not working. Oh so now the brownout ended, but the machine still needs to be repaired.
Tony is small engine repair guy, and has no knowledge of spinning sparking things. But he does know a “Guy”… Wednesday morning the two men arrive the, all things electric person, agrees with what Tony had found.
It was decided that the replacement part would be well over $500.00 but for far less he would rewind the armature (I think that’s what he called it)
Now for those who hail from lands far from these enchanted isles, when was the last time you have heard of someone rewinding an electric motor? We from the lands of scrap it and buy a new one are shocked that people still do that.
Fine with me it’s the first time any money has been spent on repairs in 15 years. Well we did replace the pull cord twice. But complain or moan about it, I refuse to do.
My new electric motor “Guy” needs to bring the Honda to his shop in Olongapo. I’m washing the car (Staying out of their way and respecting their knowledge.) When around the corner they come dragging the Honda with them.
Keeping my mouth firmly shut, but thinking; “They arrived on 150cc motor scooter, what are they doing with the generator?” Mayang’s sister shows up with a Trike and driver and I again I shut the hell up and watched them try to put 50 pounds of potatoes in a 10 pound sack. But between the three guys they did it. Will wonders never cease”
So the Honda is off being repaired, and tuned up. Soon all will be right with the world again, and a new name has been added to my “That Guy” list. This is one thing I’m serious about, that will be the most important list you’ll ever add. Yes there are a few in-laws on it too.
I was convinced 45 years ago that Olongapo had the best fixers in the world. It is getting harder and harder to find these skilled people though.. Hang on to the list it is worth its weight in Gold.
Loren;
Like that “Guy” who turned that post in your living room into a tree? He has so serious skills.
Oh Tommy and I just went through a 2.5 month dry spell with no “Superior Rum” for sale anywhere. It ended this week and we each bought a case, it will never happen again.
A girl at the Liberty Call bar said the twelve years were not up yet, so we must wait and wait we did..
I have been constantly astounded, as you have, on how people here can fix a supposedly “broken” item and get it back in top running condition in little or no time.
It changed my belief on just “throwing things away”, and any time you can keep things from filling up a landfill, fatten your wallet, and save a few bucks in the process, you are ahead in my book.
If it wasn’t for my inlaws and a few others, life would definitely be harder here. Yes, keep your contacts in your hip pocket for emergencies, and use them wisely and sparingly.
Good luck on getting that genset repaired. Hope it works out for you.
Rick;
I have no doubt that the Honda will be home soon and ready for another 15 years of service. I throw nothing away anympre, if I do replace an item, someone will take the old one and put it back into service.
I replaced an AC because it was March and I didn’t want to wait for it to be repaired, my brother-in-law and his friend had it running (Very well)) the following week and he sold it to get his kids ready to go back to school. A win-win for all.
I love the way you write about things in the Philippines. The “canoe club” taught you well (just kidding)..and being from New England helps too. (I should know. I am from Fall River – the place in New England for real malasada, chouriço and linguiça). Thanks for another good article.
Jose;
I spent a year in Fall River over a long weekend, and btw my brother Dan lives in New Bedford now, Dear lord I’ll never understand why? (LOL)
But I had fun meeting all the Cape Verdeans from there, great folks, and some great chow. I think that’s why the Navy put the Battleship Massachusetts there. (LOL)
Your brother residing in New Bedford (Whaling City.. “Noo Bedge”) is not bad . Aside from English, Portuguese and Cape Verdean Portuguese language, you will now hear Central American accent Spanish language. (Yes, “Boricuas” and “Quisqueyas” are also in New Bedford.) Disfrute de su cerveza San Miguel allí en DinBat. (Enjoy your San Miguel beer there in DinBat.) Cheers.
Jose;
I seem to enjoy my SMB’s anywhere I’m standing. (lol), New Bedford like that world and Dorchester my section of Boston is changing. Maybe for the good, I just don’t know.
You are absolutely correct, Paul. Maintaining and constantly updating a list of go-to guys who operate independently and are proven experts in their respective fields can save you a bundle in the future. These guys are the unsung heroes. They toil behind the scenes, and don’t advertise in the internet. When you only hear about them through word of mouth, it usually means they are reliable and do a good job. More often than not, they will do the work for you for a lot less than what a bonafide company that advertises in the internet would normally charge for coming to your house to make the repairs.
In the Philippines especially, I think it is prudent to keep and maintain a rolodex of qualified guys you can count on for various eventualities, or, at the very least, a network of people whom you have relied on in the past to have referred you to that special guy. There are a lot of hidden gems out there waiting to be discovered.
Regarding the suggestion to rewind the electric motor instead of buying a replacement part for $500, this is a reflection of the typical mindset of every Filipino mechanic throughout the archipelago, as you well know, Paul. Filipino ingenuity is legion; therefore, buying a new replacement part is usually the final solution. The difference between a Filipino mechanic and his foreign counterpart in the West is that the Filipino will repair what the western mechanic has given up on. Anybody who doubts this statement only needs to visit his neighborhood auto repair shop to see.
John;
Bless me it John, you made my point better than I had in my long missive.
But as usual you hit the nail on the head, here on the Islands are some of the best repairmen I’ve ever came across. The price is right and the quality normally is high. Oh there are that very few that our praise does not apply too but they are the exception to the rule, and never the rule.
As I said above what the Kano must learn to shut up and wait to see how it works when they (The Guy’s) are done working their magic. At first would interfere and try to show the better way, but I learned early to back off and have a beer and wait until the “Guy” says; “All done Kuya.”
The list is my treasure and seldom do I share, unless the person has proved themselves to me. I learned my lesson that one time.
I swear that Google looses money in the Philippines, no one needs to use it, if you don’t know a guy, your neighbor, you wife’s batchmate, workmate, brother in law or your local Pan de Sal vendor will know someone who can do most anything a person might need done. 🙂 On the down side of this “system” I have found folks rarely shop around. The other day I needed tires for my car, my brother in law had a guy that quoted a price, normally I would just go with it. I happened to be taking a walk and stopped in a couple of tire stores and found the exact same tires for P2000 less.
Scott;
Yes with the purchase of something new you need to shop around. Your brother-in-law Do-dong knows a Guy that sells tires, but you must ask yourself; if Do-dong has ever owned a car or bought tires before, is he the one to ask?
But the fixing or building of virtually anything, he might be your go to Guy. But with a major purchase that is on you.
Paul,
I really don’t have “that guy list” yet here. When I was in the States I did have a great mechanic that saved me many a times and even refused to take any payment a few times. I always sent plenty of business his way.
Randy;
You should start putting a That Guy List together as soon as you can, one busted water pipe at 11:30 at night you’ll be looking for someone real quick, and he might not be the Guy you need.
In Puerto Rico and the states I had a list of That Guy at all times it’s just the best way to go.
It reminds me of my mechanic here in the states. He opened a garage and I decided to try him. It was like Mayberry. He had the hood open and 5 or 6 Mexican helpers were under the hood. For years his price was cost of parts plus $35.00.
I would joke with him about his problems and he would joke about my old truck. He had the city fathers wanting him to fancy up his business with paved lot and parking and fences. I went with him to a city council meeting and told them if they insisted I had a place in the county with a signed lease to him and the building he was buying on contract could go back to ruin with trees growing out of the roof agaun.
They backed down and now he only charges for parts. I give him a “tip” for his family. Now I get invited to birthday parties and other celebrations.
When you help and care it becomes a two way street.
LeRoy;
Folks like that are rare breeds indeed. Paying a fair price for a good honest job is what most of us try to seek out. For 15 years I had the same auto mechanics and they knew how I liked my car to look and run. With a new car now it is so impersonal, I miss my Car Guy’s.
Unfortunately, here in the USA I think many of the real repair people from decades ago are probably dieing off now. So many times, with the costs associated with running a business, cost of employing people, taxes taxes and more taxes, OSHA, EPA etc. the cost of replacement can be far less than the cost of a repair. All of the parts distributors I used to do business with back in the 60’s and 70’s have long gone out of business. Manufacturers don’t have parts available for as long a time as they once did.
Not long ago I was working with industrial machines that have about 200 DC Motors in them. When these motors started to go, it was replace with a new one and toss the old one in the scrap metal dumpster. Brand new exact replacement motors were about $100 USD each at the time. Unlikely you could get a worn out one repaired or overhauled to like new condition for much less than the cost of a new one. I think the trend in recent years is if a motor is 5 Horsepower or greater it pays to repair or rebuild. Anything under that it cost more than a new one, unless it is a simple and cost effective repair. Additionally, if a new one is available immediately and it will take a week or longer to have the worn out one repaired, replacement with new is the better option.
One of the things that impress me on my visits to The Philippines are the repair shops, the parts shops, ” real ” hardware stores as here so many of them were driven out of business by chains such as Chromeum Depot and other such ” discount Big Box ” stores with sometimes questionable quality stuff. At times it is almost like you can’t buy the real things anymore.
Your caption about the OSHA Approved Safety Slippers has given me the laugh of the day. Thanks for another fun and educational article Paul.
Bob New York;
Any small town USA or large City had that street with shops both retail and repair. I’ve heard it said the Malls and the Big Box stores drove them out of business, but I don’t believe that is 100% true. The installation of parking meters by the local politicians and the quick to fine mentality is partly what caused the decline of the downtown or the neighbourhood shopping.
The mall and big box store offered free parking and no chance of the extra $30.00 in parking fines. I blame greedy politicians for the most part and thank my stars that in the Philippines you pay to park at most malls and park on the street for free. (For the most part)
As usual do every week, I slipped in the OSHA comment just to see who is paying attention, you’re the winner this week Bob.
Hi Paul – The great part in the Philippines, is that’s it’s cheap to repair things. A fan fixed price 150 php, a computer fixed price 800 php etc. In Australia it’s easier to throw it in the bin most of the time. Also our Filipino landlord also has a repair guy that literally repairs anything, quite amazing what he can do.
Brenton;
Well it appears that your landlord has his list of Guy’s too. The fan was what got me thinking about this subject years ago. Our fan stopped working and I was going to head into town to replace it. My wife looked at me as if an arm was growing out of my ear and took me to a street that had ten “Fan Repair” shops in a row. There I was climbing off the Jeepney holding my fan and wondering which shop is the best? But my wife knew.
Having a good list of “Go-To Guys” is so important. My very first “Guy” I added to my list was the guy who still to this day maintains my motorcycle. Hahaha yes even though I have lived here in the USA for the last 5 year, but he knows who I am when I visit.
When I lived in Cebu City. I bought an older Yamaha 400, and it needed a new tire. I bought the new tire from the local place downtown in Cebu, and they put the tire on, but when I asked about a tune up, they said they don’t work in bigger bikes like mine. They referred me to someone who does. Now they didn’t have a telephone number or an address, just a name and that they were around a certain church. On the other side of the city.
Well I found him, and when I met him and he looked at my bike, he asked how much I paid for my bike. I told him and he nodded and said you got a fair deal. And we have been friend’s ever sense.
One time my bike was hesitating when I would hit the throttle. He looked at it and said he thinks it may be rust in the gas tank. And I got really worried. See Several years before, “My Philippine life” existed, I bought a used Honda here in the USA and after 6 months it started giving me problems. After $1000 in repairs from Rust in the Gas Tank and a “certified” Honda Factory Mechanic screwing up the carbs it washed the rings with in 100 miles from getting it back from him. Still sitting in my garage here in USA. Wished I could ship that beast to Cebu, someone would have that thing running pretty quick.
So I was thinking it was history repeating its self. My “guy” told me not to worry he will fix it and 2 days later, and $10 he had it running like new.
Probably there has been at least 5 times that he has fixed my old bike, where if it was in the USA it would have been junked.
Now the bike is 2 hours away from him in the province, but he is that bike’s mechanic. Last time I was visiting it needed a cable and I texted him to make sure he could go ahead and order the part and I would be at his place a few days later to have it replaced. I woke up one morning to find him at my home replacing the cable. Needless to say he got a good fair tip for doing this.
James;
That is exactly the point I was making, the deal between you and the Go To Guy, can fast as long as you are both fair to each other. Not once in the states has that ever happened, there it was all about the money.
Puerto Rico it did but it was rare.
Hi Paul,
Good to hear you know many men that can !
I love the way they can repair most stuff in the PH, we seem to have lost those skills in the West, It’s all about shove a new unit in now.
In my younger days as a Mech Eng we repaired (botched 🙂 ) everything.
Chas:
I had an Electronic repair (ET) guy on one ship who would order every circuit board that applied to the unit and then just snap them in until it lit up. He made twice the money I did?
Another fine article, Paul. Keep up the good work… –Rich–
Richard;
Thank you, but I wonder if I could find a “Guy” to write these for me?
Paul – Your brother, Dan? LOL
John;
Only if you enjoy stick figure cartoons.
Great site.. Interesting articles. You are leading an interesting life. Good for you.
☺
Paul;
Thanks for the comment, it is great to hear from you.
Very informative Paul, would have never thought about this myself. Once again I’m learning things about the Philippines from people like you.
Thank you very much Paul.