I got sunburned last week and this week while walking miles on the streets of Baguio City and La Trinidad with a neighbor, The Jeepney magazine staffers, missionaries from U.S.A. and Pastor Roberto. My neighbor has been helpful in talking with poor people on the sidewalks, overpasses and parks of Baguio City, as he speaks Tagalog and Ilocano, and I don’t.

Seven of us have tried to recruit and train potential partner-vendors to sell The Jeepney magazine along the streets to the better-heeled denizens and tourists of Baguio City. It has been no small feat. The World Race missionaries Ben and Brenda, who’ve been embedded in the Jeepney staff for weeks, cheerfully bore the load of canvassing hotels, banks and insurance companies in Baguio to drum up interest in advertising in the pages of The Jeepney. We thank them, because paid advertising in this magazine, which serves as a ‘voice’ for the poor and a self-employment opportunity for the poor, helps to keep the presses running, the editorial office open and social workers on the streets connecting with our poor brothers and sisters.

The next issue will be printed this week because kind benefactors have believed in the goals of The Jeepney magazine and gave time, expertise, equipment and donations. Others have wisely bought subscriptions to The Jeepney, while newspaper and television reporters, editors and producers have given much publicity to this upstart magazine which speaks for the ‘underclass’ and provides opportunity for increased personal income through sales on the streets of Manila and Baguio City.

I encourage you to buy an issue from a street vendor, subscribe and to pray for the ongoing success of The Jeepney.