MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It’s not only the daily wage drivers and passengers that are inconvenienced by the jeepney strike. There’s also the barkers.

Barkers are those who scream routes and beckon passengers with hand gestures giving direction which jeepney to go to. They’re everywhere : outside schools, hospitals, offices and public markets; terminals and anywhere jeepneys stop to pick up passengers.

Their only asset is their voice but they are voiceless amid the strike. They earn about five pesos for every jeepney they fill — around one hundred fifty pesos per day.

They are among the most thankful when jeepney strikes end.

The Adobo Chronicles salutes these unsung heroes.