Hidalgo camera repairman keeps at it to help revive film photography

Mang Dado, 55-year-old camera repairman in R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila. Photo courtesy: Abegail Alfonso/Facebook

A netizen’s post about her inspiring encounter with a camera repairman in Quiapo, Manila has gone viral recently on Facebook.

In the Facebook public group Lomomanila, Abbhie Khush (whose real name is Abegail Alfonso) posted the now-trending photos of Mang Dado, a 55-year-old camera repairman whom she met along R. Hidalgo St. in Quiapo, Manila on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

“Flex ko lang si MANG DADO. I just recently brought my 6 cameras and other lenses to have it checked and repaired. Ngayon na lang ulit ako nakakita ng taong sobrang passionate at hindi namemera,” Alfonso said.

(I would just like to talk about Mang Dado. I just recently brought my six cameras and other lenses to have it checked and repaired [by him]. This is the first time I have seen someone so passionate and is not a swindler.)

On Friday, she went back to Mang Dado carrying all her cameras in need of maintenance.

Only two out of her six cameras were in need of cleaning of its viewfinder as advised by Mang Dado, but Alfonso decided to have three of her cameras attended to. Those were polished, lubricated and adjusted for only P800. The cleaning of lenses was done for her for only P350.

Alfonso recalled how Mang Dado told her right away which needs to be repaired and which ones are just fine. She also took note of Mang Dado’s low rates compared with other camera stores along Hidalgo, which happens to be the popular go-to place for camera repairs among photography enthusiasts.

“Ang sabi niya hindi niya naman daw kailangan mamera, ang gusto niya lang daw [ay] mabuhay ulit ang film photography at makatulong,” Alfonso added.

(He said he does not need to swindle anyone. He just wants to revive film photography and to help.)

Mang Dado also told her that despite the challenges in his business, he was able to raise two nurses and a civil engineer among his children.

The post already has gained over 15,000 reactions, 190 comments and over 5,100 shares, as of this writing. JB

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