Dumaguete lady relies on trusty typewriter to earn a living

MANILA, Philippines – In the age of social media, characterized by the fast-paced flow of information, where everyone uses smartphones and laptops to access and create knowledge, who uses typewriters?

This old lady in Dumaguete City does.

Lorence Valencia, a 3rd year old law student from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, sent the photo of an old woman in her 70s or 80s still using a typewriter to make a living.

The woman, as seen in the photo, accepts typing jobs in a stall outside a beauty parlor. She charges around P10 to 40 per page.

“She probably uses her only skill enough to get her an income, which I doubt is enough for her daily expenses,” Valencia told Rappler.

“This woman inspired me (to not give up) on life despite the obvious challenges that not many people require or need her services anymore and that her old and rusty typewriter may already be malfunctioning,” the 28-year-old student added.

Lorence noted that the woman goes to her stall everyday, continuing her almost obsolete business to make ends meet.

“I wish I could help her but I’m only a student. The only help I can think of is to share her story so (that) people may be aware that she is providing such service and may avail of it,” he continued,

Valencia was in a restaurant, waiting for his food, when he saw the old lady. He decided to take a photo of the woman, in hopes of inspiring others, as well as garnering possible support.

“We’re already in the digital age, we don’t even think of typewriters anymore, but that’s still her livelihood,” he said. “Let’s be aware of others, what they need, mabye we can help them.”

“Through fund-raisers maybe. I know there are organizations out there that help people like her and the elderly.”

Old customers

Upon reading the story, some readers also e-mailed MovePH their own stories.

Maricar Aranas used to have her college projects and assignments typed by the old woman from 1999 to 2000.

“Her original space was beside the popular Handumanan Native store. She is a very kind lady and she is fast in typing,” Aranas shared.

“That woman is also a ballroom dancing queen and was formerly the barangay treasurer in one of the Poblacion Barangays in Dumaguete City,” she continued. “She has a colourful active life, more than the typewriting job she has. She is enjoying and loving her job.”

Meanwhile, Dennis Dapal said he was a customer during his high school years in the mid-90s. 

“She was really in demand of doing typing job during my high school years, in fact she was the one whom I paid just to type my term paper that I made because I am not knowledgeable with the typewriter,” Dapal said.

“For me during that time having a typewriter was a luxury in Dumaguete.  I remember that we need to book her a week early to do the typing job,” he added.

Another student, I’m Eric Gerard Ruiz of Silliman University recalled his moment with the old lady, calling her “manang typist.”

“I always see her whenever I go to McDo or Robinsons. She’s a very good typist. I always looked up to her because of her mastery in typing She is popular in Dumaguete,” said Ruiz. 

“Naawa lang ako kasi sometimes wala talaga siyang customer, (I feel bad for her because sometimes she doesn’t have customers,)” he added. 

Do you know the old woman in the photo? Send us an e-mail at move.ph@rappler.com! – Rappler.com