When the world of local glossies saw its end looming, those in it were given a choice: To jump into the breakneck pace of online journalism, or to simply leave.

Editor-in-chief of Preview for 15 years, Pauline Suaco-Juan chose the latter. And after a short break, she returned to the public eye to channel her creative energy into, of all things, a government agency. Namely, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).

To many, it seems like a leap. But to Suaco-Juan, her move goes back to the heart of things: marketing Filipino products to the rest of the world. As its executive director, she leads CITEM into the digital future by building a home for the Filipino design community online so that the world can find and connect with it. And true to her editorial roots, this is underscored by dedication shining a light on truly Filipino materials, techniques, and traditions. “If there is one thing we are bringing with us into this aforementioned digital future,” she says, “it’s the conviction that storytelling is the best way to promote excellent products.”