By Lara Charmaine Lagorra
Outside the historical walls of the university, near the Hibbard Gate, stands a simple but bustling shop where the smell of ink and fresh paper fills the air.
It marks each unseen contribution towards every student’s academic journey. A place where history is quietly written—one printed, bookbinded, and photocopied page at a time.
Established in 1988, Total Copy Center started as a simple standing stall, with one photocopy machine and some queuing students. It gradually added more machines to meet demands as the years went by, moving from one location to another, and eventually finding their home behind Portal West.
It was founded by the late Celso Cahambing, a Silliman alumnus who served as the financial secretary and elder at the Silliman University (SU) Church. Along with his wife, Cinderella “Cindy” Garcia Cahambing, they built a business rooted in trust and humility—values that continue to define the copy center to this day.
Cindy shared how her husband was not only a devoted family man but also a forgiving, honest, and trustworthy boss who fostered a culture of care among the staff, many of whom have grown with the copy shop.
With her sister, Debbie, lending a hand in managing the shop, they continue to run the business as a family. Together, they stand side by side in keeping the memories of the store alive, honoring the legacy of Mr. Cahambing.
What sets Total Copy Center apart from other printing shops is its commitment to keeping prices minimal, especially for Sillimanians who come to print their work or bind their theses.
Aside from standard printing, they also offer various services including laser printing, bookbinding, spring binding, lamination, and resograph printing.
When Cindy and Debbie are at the shop, they always advise customers on how to save costs based on their printing preferences.
“It’s more on the quality, and I think that’s the reason why people come back,” Debbie says. The shop’s proximity to Silliman University (SU) and its personal connection to its students make Total Copier accessible and trusted.
Over the years, they have become the final stop in countless academic journeys. They continue to cater to students even beyond their regular shop hours, working overtime and helping with requests like important submissions.
This enduring dedication has fostered an unseen yet vibrant community centered around Total Copier and Silliman. During thesis season, they use a color-coded system to organize binding requests by department, ensuring efficient and precise service for students across SU.
The sisters shared that family members who studied at Silliman helped endorse the shop. They also received recommendations from SU staff, students, friends, and teachers who refer others to Total Copier for thesis and module printing.
“We are part of the Silliman community, and the children endorse it to their classmates, and so on,” Cindy says.
While students line up to submit outputs and beat deadlines, the hands behind the small corner of Total Copier come with a mission of service. These are the hands of dedicated workers that ensure every page is perfectly printed, copied, or bound.
The staff who handle everything in the shop with care are more than employees—they are like family to Debbie and Cindy. Years of working side by side have made them the heart and soul of the shop, holding everything together with dedication and warmth.
Here, the sisters foster strong relationships fostered by avoiding any strict hierarchy. They treat everyone as equals and prefer not to be called “ma’am,” opting instead for “ate,” or “tita”.
Antonia Lumbo Crodua, who joined in 1994, assists with printing and xerox and deals with the varied needs of customers, especially during rush hours. She shared that Debbie and Cindy are like family, and are always ready to advise and support.
As a seasoned photocopy machine operator who has dedicated 33 years to the shop, Manuel Ronda has handled a multitude of customers and is known for his meticulous care, from cleaning machines to managing paper quality to avoid jams. He shares how enjoys his work with everyone despite the pressures because it supports his family.
The bindings that finalize students’ theses rely heavily on Gilmor M. Bolaier, an on-call bookbinder with 14 years of service. He often works beyond closing time, especially during rush hours.
Together with Cindy and Debbie, these workers form the backbone of a shop that values quality, patience, and community.
The sisters are grateful for catering to students, knowing that they will continue to return because of the benefits they offer. With faith being the main driver of what keeps them moving forward through challenges, Total Copier continues to breathe and exist.
“Thank you for patronizing us, for as long as you are there, we are there to serve you with quality and reasonable price services,” Cindy says.
Amid rush hours and busy seasons, Total Copy Center stands strong beyond the portals as the last stop where countless students complete their academic journey. They are part of every Silliman story, printed or binded.
The hands behind those who help shape and finish those academic journeys— shows a legacy of dedicated service and an enduring bond with the university community.
