Rebie Bocala or Dhodoy, 35, runs the only air-conditioned barbershop in the neighborhood. It’s called Dhodoy’s Barbershop. Dodoy is from Roxas, Capiz and has three kids. He rents the space for 4,500 pesos a month. The air-conditioned shop is only three months old, and also serves as his family’s living room and his children’s playground. He charges 50 pesos, 10 pesos more than the usual 40-peso fee in non-aircon shops. He learned to hone his craft 16 years in the trade. Dhodoy, while carrying his 7-month-old son Francis, narrated that his first customer was wearing a police attire and that he was so nervous to finish the haircut, he called his uncle to do it. Dhodoy laughed as he continued his story. He later found out that the “police” was actually a mentally challenged man. Dhodoy has two other barbers working for him, Jay-R and his brother Rommel, both of whom he mentored. On a slow day his shop gets at least 35 customers and can reach up to 110 heads. He puts a “Bawal Tambay” sign in his shop to warn people about hanging out inside. Some residents/neighbors have resorted to watching an NBA game outside his shop instead.
