A time capsule down a Quezon City alley

Horologist Jun Bayona, 66, saves precious watches in a makeshift repair shop in an alley near Anonas in Quezon City.

According to Bayona, he has been working with watches since the 1980s — a craft he learned while he was still studying.

At first, he said there was an organized cooperative for watchmakers. Yet, as time passed, it disappeared. This did not stop him from working. Bayona added that he continued by setting up a stand in his house, despite being distinguished as a person with disability.

“Hanggang bandang huli naisipan ko, kaya noong nagkapera ako bumili ako ng ganito hanggang sa ngayon, mag-four years na akong gumagawa nito,” Bayona said.

(Eventually I thought of doing this, so when I had money, I bought equipment like this. Now, I’ve been doing this for almost four years.)

At first, he was located at an old supermarket along Aurora Boulevard. However, due to the weather conditions in the area, he decided to transfer to a shaded alley just a few meters away. Life is tough, and so is living on the sidewalk. Every day is a challenge because do-it-yourself pavement shops like his are prohibited. But it does not stop Bayona from progressing with life and time — he continues to fix the ticks, a cog at a time.