Palawan barber creates rolling barbershop amid COVID-19 pandemic

Published October 23, 2020 11:12pm

A Puerto Princesa, Palawan barber who had practiced his trade for 15 years created a rolling barbershop to serve students and earn a living amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In Jm Encinas’ report on “Strand for Truth,” Bem Arenez shared that he was having a hard time looking for a job as a barber as most shops were closed.

“Naisipan kong gumawa ng rolling barbershop dahil wala ng mga estudyante na sa barbershop pumupunta dahil sa pandemic. Sinabihan ng bawal lumabas ng bahay,” Arenez said.

“[K]aya naisipan kong gumawa ng rolling barbershop. Ako na lang susuyo sa kanilang mga sitio, purok, kung saang barangay at tatawagan nila ako sa cell number ko at pupuntahan ko na lang sila ng rolling barbershop ko,” he added.

Before opening his barbershop, Arenez had to barter the mountain bike he had been using for two years in exchange for a sidecar.

Jun Jun Dela Cruz, who agreed to the mountain bike trade with Arenez, said he had let Arenez off the hook for the unpaid P2,500 balance as he understood how tough times were.

“Ngayon pinaluwagan ko na lang siya nagkaroon siya ng balance sa akin na parang 2,500 ata di ko na maalala, ngayon sabi ko sa kanya hayaan mo na lang ‘yon sabi ko kasi tulungan na lang tayo habang pandemic pa ngayon tulungan na lang muna tayo,” Dela Cruz said.

Using tarpaulins and curtains, Arenez transformed the sidecar into a barbershop. While he did not have a barber’s pole, he made do with a wooden sign.

The rolling barbershop charged customers P50 per haircut.

“Malaking bagay po na may kinikita ako sa araw araw malaki man o maliit para may mapakain ako sa aking pamilya lalo na sa ganito na hirap kumita ng pera. Hahanapin mo pa ang mga customer na magpagupit,” Aranez said.

“Unti-unti kong papagandahin itong ‘yung ano niya, sakaling magtuloy tuloy na rin ito. Saka ‘yung bahay ko na medyo pagiba na, unti-unti ko na ring papagandahin at aayusin ‘yung mga dapat niyang ayusin na sira,” he later added.

SOURCE: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/761210/palawan-barber-creates-rolling-barbershop-amid-covid-19-pandemic/story/