At family gatherings, reunions, and meet-ups, the same conversation always seems to come up. Someone will nudge me and say with a teasing grin, “You’re still doing newspapers? How does that even work in 2024?” They all laugh, amused by the idea that I could build a business on what they see as a dying medium. To them, a twenty-peso newspaper sounds more like a hobby than a livelihood. What they don’t realize is that behind every printed copy lies a well-oiled machine that moves beyond the news—it’s a business of documentation, advertising, and compliance.

My weekly newspaper, People's Bulletin, doesn’t rely on the coins exchanged for a single copy. No, the heart of the business lies in advertising placements. Every column per centimeter of space on that broadsheet has value, measurable and essential to our clients. These aren't just random ads; they’re lifelines for businesses and individuals who need to comply with legal requirements. We cater to a very specific audience—lawyers, companies, and individuals who understand the importance of publicizing legal notices.

The truth is, the industry I’m in is often dismissed as outdated or redundant. People think newspapers should only run daily editions and can’t imagine how publishing weekly could still be relevant. But they miss the point. A newspaper isn’t just ink on paper; it’s proof—affidavits of publication that government agencies require to move processes forward. From land transfers and corporate announcements to public biddings and estate settlements, those little notices are critical to completing transactions and following the law. And until the laws say otherwise, those notices will continue to flow through publications like ours.

Advertising, after all, is not obsolete—it’s just shifted in form. Some businesses run ads on social media; others, like ours, serve legal obligations. This isn’t an industry that simply survives on nostalgia or sentiment. It survives because it delivers something essential. We provide not just news, but a public service, a bridge between clients and compliance, a way to keep things moving in a world bound by rules and deadlines.

Every time I explain this to people, their eyes light up with a mix of surprise and curiosity. The concept isn’t what they expect. They see newspapers as relics, but I see them as tools—just as useful as any modern app, just as necessary in their own niche. This business isn’t just about surviving in the face of change; it’s about adapting. The role of a printed newspaper may have evolved, but its purpose remains clear.

As long as laws require documentation, newspapers will always have their place. And it’s up to us to educate people about this quiet but vital role we play. Some may think we’re old-fashioned, but I say we’re just rooted—rooted in a responsibility that the digital age cannot entirely replace. I believe in ink on paper not because of tradition, but because it still serves a need, one that isn’t going away anytime soon.