FREDDIE Pamaybay has been a typewriter repairman since 1989. He started as a helper and gradually mastered the craft of restoring and maintaining typewriters, a skill that, despite the rise of modern technology, continues to serve a niche but steady demand.
A dedicated family man, the 56-year-old has long relied on this humble trade to support his family and put his two children through school. He recalls that business was brisk in the pre-computer era. Offices, schools and even government agencies heavily relied on typewriters for documentation, and he could earn a good income with multiple repair jobs in a single day.
However, with the widespread adoption of computers in the early 2000s, the demand for typewriter services slowed significantly. Despite this, he continues to receive occasional repair requests, especially from government offices, public notaries and street typists. These clients still prefer or are required to use typewriters for official documents due to factors like formatting consistency, permanence of ink, or lack of access to digital tools.
Freddie charges P950 for labor on large typewriters and P550 for smaller ones, with parts charged separately. He also buys used typewriters, often acquired from schools selling off old equipment, and either salvages parts from them or fully reconditions them for resale. Refurbished typewriters are sold at prices ranging from P4,000 for smaller models to P22,000 for larger, professional-grade machines.
Typewriters, though often seen as relics of the past, are still valued for their durability, simplicity and nostalgic charm. Unlike digital devices, they don’t require electricity or internet access, making them reliable in areas with limited infrastructure.
Freddie’s workstation is located along T. Padilla Ext. in Cebu City, where he not only repairs and sells typewriters but also helps run a modest sideline, selling rice and soft drinks at night beside a nearby barbecue stall.