Rocky’s Story - Our Head Luthier

Written by Brian Brusas, Founder of Huni:

Rocky is more than just a luthier at Huni; he is family.

When other luthiers left, chasing new opportunities, Rocky stayed, committed to his craft and to Huni. I admired that about him. He needed this partnership, and I knew it. That's why I agreed to the setup we had.

One Saturday afternoon, everything changed…

Rocky was biking home to Lapulapu City, like he always did, when a tricycle hit him on the highway in Mandaue City. He was badly injured and rushed to the hospital. I hurried there as soon as I heard. The doctor said Rocky's leg needed to be amputated. I could see the fear in Rocky's eyes, but he refused the surgery. He was adamant he'd recover without losing his leg.

The guy who hit him couldn’t pay the medical bills; he was just as poor as Rocky. Despite our own financial struggles, I knew we had to help. We covered the costs, even though it wasn’t easy.

Rocky spent a year on crutches, wrapped in bandages, but his determination never wavered. He prayed, he persevered, and slowly, he healed. I watched in awe as he started walking again. It was nothing short of a miracle.

Then the pandemic hit, and we had to close Huni…

It was a hard blow for all of us, especially Rocky. At first, he didn't want to find other work because he just wanted to be part of Huni. He was so loyal and passionate about our little workshop. I had to sit him down and explain that we simply couldn’t afford to keep operating. It took him some time to come to terms with it.

Eventually, he started looking for side hustles, but he never fully committed to another employer. Deep down, he believed Huni would reopen one day, and he wanted to be ready when it did.

Four years later, here we are re-opening Huni, and there was Rocky, ready to return.

His journey was a testament to the power of resilience. Watching him overcome such immense obstacles reminded me why I started Huni in the first place. Rocky’s story wasn’t just about healing; it was about an unbreakable spirit that refused to be defeated.

His resilience became a beacon of hope for all of us, proving that with enough perseverance, even the toughest challenges can be conquered.