Get to know Lolo Smart, the elderly repairman from YouTube
It’s not uncommon for typical households to have a designated repairman. Instead of taking broken appliances to the repair shop, our lolos or tatays attempt to fix it themselves instead. But with the absence of our own troubleshooters, we depend on tutorials on the Internet. Here comes Lolo Smart, the silver-haired, soft-spoken repairman from YouTube.
Lolo Smart gained attention on Facebook when Ramil Lantican discovered his YouTube channel after looking for tutorials on how to fix his broken electric fan. At that time, Lolo Smart had only less than 600 subscribers. Thankfully, the post went viral and the channel gained thousands of subscribers in just a few days.
Meet Lolo Rodel aka ‘Lolo Smart’
The skills behind Lolo Smart is Rodel Pacis, a 67-year-old electronics technician from Parañaque City. He acquired this talent during his college days wherein he took courses in electronics at a vocational school while he studied.
His interest in electronics became his source of income. Lolo Rodel was a full-time electronics technician and instructor for non-formal education program in a Bulacan public school.
When the pandemic happened, he was forced to stopped his activities as a technician and instructor.
“Because of COVID [kaya] confined sa bahay, humanap ako ng pagkakaabalahan. Naisip kong mag-video ng alam ko at gusto kong gawin [which is electronics]. Aside from [that], marami akong matutulungan na nakakulong sa bahay during that time.”
His most popular upload on his channel is the electric fan repair tutorial that Mr. Lantican watched.
Additionally, besides his interest in electronics, he also ventures into photography.
“Nagkainterest ako sa photography nung uwian ako ng tatay ko ng camera galing abroad. Nag self study ako dahil naging hilig ko na nga siya lalo na nung lumitaw na ang mga digicam at eventually cellphone.”
Lolo Smart also posted a basic tutorial video on mobile photography.
When he is not busy in electronics and photography, he finds time in watching videos about other niches. Lolo Rodel also delves into carpentry, especially when his wife is the one with the request. As a typical loving grandfather, he bonds with his two grandkids when they are at his home.
What’s ahead for Lolo Smart
So far, he hasn’t experienced anything negative regarding his YouTube career. “Hopefully, walang bashers,” he said.
Lolo Rodel is thankful because he gained so many followers, which he regards as “mga anak at apo.” The comments under his content inspire him to be more diligent in his work. Because of this, he finds ways to connect to his followers more.
He said that he will continue posting content on his YouTube channel because there are so many people who appreciated and extended their support towards his work.
“Gusto ko maraming matuto at [marami pang] marating ang Lolo Smart. Makatulong [siya] sa bawat tatay, pwede rin nanay, anak, at apo na mahilig din mag DIY.”
Lolo Rodel thanks the people who subscribed to his YouTube channel, especially those who discovered him through Mr. Lantican and Ninong Ry‘s posts about Lolo Smart.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng subscribers at followers ni Mr. Lantican at Ninong Ry at sa iba pa na nagshare ng mga posts at link ni Lolo Smart. Grateful to God for all these people na ginamit Niya para lumaki ang subscribers at followers ni Lolo Smart.”
Lolo Rodel left a piece of advice for small YouTubers like him.
“Nawa’y maging inspirasyon din sa inyo ang Lolo Smart. Gawin [niyo] ang gusto niyo at alam niyo at ibahagi ang mga ito para sa masayang buhay.”
May Lolo Smart grow his YouTube channel more and may he gain more anaks and apos through his tutorial videos.
Thank you, Lolo Rodel, for sharing your knowledge to the world. We have one less household problem to worry about because of you.
