A Dynamic Evolution: Tatler Philippines Celebrates 21 Years

Since 2001, Tatler’s covers have been graced by exquisite beauties and lions of society.

In recent years, however, readers have noted a considerable change to the line-up: Philippine moguls who are making it big in the global business arena, as well as philanthropists and social influencers who continue to raise awareness regarding laudable causes and critical societal issues.

Modern-day heroes have also graced the cover, telling the stories of defeat and triumph behind famous faces and names like Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, who brought honour to the nation by winning our first-ever gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Likewise, Angie and Joey Mead King’s striking appearance on the August 2022 cover raised awareness regarding gender equality and the acceptance of individual gender identity.

These cover subjects are people whose lives and achievements resonate through the nation’s collective psyche, inspiring readers to do something more meaningful to the world around them.

This paradigm shift is in keeping with the general thrust of Asia Tatler to rethink the concept of influence in the context of social capital—a notion that led to the debut of Asia’s Most Influential in December 2021, which listed those who are changing mindsets through leadership in numerous fields, as well as deeds that would help uplift communities or individuals in need.

Philanthropy has long been one of the cornerstones of Tatler Philippines. For 19 consecutive years, its Tatler Ball went beyond being the year’s social event and became synonymous as a channel to give to noteworthy causes.

As Francisco says, “We still have a steadfast commitment to philanthropy which has never wavered over the past 21 years.”

The Tatler Ball has given so much to numerous charities over the years, changing and saving lives in the process. Its past beneficiaries ran the gamut from medical institutions to organisations geared towards protecting the environment to groups centred on the welfare of abused children. These have included the Philippine Red Cross, Gawad Kalinga, Pink for Life, Operation Smile, and the Child Protection Network.

The last ball held in 2019 raised funds for the World Wide Fund for Nature to show support for initiatives to save the environment and endangered ecosystems.

While the raging pandemic put the Tatler Ball on hold in 2020 and 2021, it did not stop the Tatler Philippines team from continuing with its philanthropic initiatives. Indeed, the magazine raised Php12 million last year for four specific objectives: Tablets with Access to enable public school children to participate in online classes; an Amanpulo staycation was auctioned off to fund a medical mission; online fundraising was done to benefit the abused children under the care of the Child Protection Network; as well as a year-end charity fundraiser held in partnership with Shangri-la at the Fort, Manila.

What makes this even more inspiring is that all these initiatives were done online through the magazine’s website and social media channels.

Francisco herself says, “If one has the will to help, there is always a way—and people are still willing to give.”

Going online is another aspect by which Tatler Philippines continues to be relevant to its reading public.

Digital director and editor Dorynna Untivero joined the magazine in 2016 and has seen how its online arm has evolved over the past half-decade.

“When I joined Tatler, the content we were producing digitally was already a cut above the rest, but we were more focused on events and luxury experiences,” she recalls. “As the times evolved, so did Tatler’s digital arm. [Now, we] yearn to share and write about meaningful and inspiring stories and individuals—from rulebreakers and savants to industry leaders and veterans in their respective fields. Tatler Digital is all about ‘the now’, and we hope to be the go-to for relevant and touching narratives.”

Indeed, the magazine’s online edition has opened it up to a younger, more spirited demographic who like to stay abreast of the latest trends while reading about individuals and groups making waves in society, style, and business. Regularly updated on the site and on social media, Tatler Philippines Online has made it easier for people to keep tabs on what’s happening in and out of the country and the region.

For deputy editorial director Isabel Martel Francisco, the evolution and growth of Tatler’s online presence have made it a resource for younger readers who now depend on it to keep them updated with what’s new and good.

“The website and social media platforms are bursting with news, scoops, exclusives and must-know information,” she says. “[It] has become an authoritative voice in various categories, and the team that works to put it all together is highly dedicated to curating this content.

“The magazine is no longer just a magazine. Tatler has become a vibrant content creation media outfit in that we have our flagship printed product, a dynamic digital presence from the website to social media platforms, and even a bespoke branded content arm wherein we create products for our clients, from events to photoshoots.”

The introduction of Gen.T, Asia Tatler’s list of achievers under the age of 40, has also drawn in younger readers by pointing out those for whom youth has been no bar to success or even changing minds throughout the region.

San Diego opines that it is vital for Tatler Philippines to look at where it has been and, more importantly, how it aims to steer itself through the changing face of the modern publication.

As he puts it, “Living in this post-pandemic world can be overwhelming, [so Tatler ] must speak of what is happening now yet retain its DNA. It will be an interesting and exciting future. I hope [our readers] are with us throughout the journey.”

For her part, Francisco is grateful for the support the magazine has had from its partners, advertisers and readers, old and new.

“Our relationship with them is multi-layered and a great source of fulfilment for me,” she says. “[It has been an honour for Tatler Philippines ] to be so actively involved in creating different ways for them to achieve their diverse goals.”

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