20 of Tatler Philippines' Most Important Milestones: An Anniversary Special

Being one of the first lifestyle/luxury publications in the country, we have done the range from safe to extreme with our covers. One of our more provocative ones was for our February 2002 issue featuring a topless Rosanne Prieto and two male models. Not known to many, the shoot was held in the San Agustin Church and it was a miracle the we were not banned from the premises with a threat of excommunication. Another much talked about cover is one with Nise Yabut Cojuangco (December 2003) wearing only a tank top and panties. The headline-grabbing title “I have no money …” continued inside to say, “At least I have no fat”. Others worth mentioning is Kris Aquino’s sexy shoot, Bench underwear models, Solenn Heusaff’s topless cover and more. Over the years, we continued to be audaciously bold but we kept to the boundaries of decency and would like to say that most of our covers could pass with a PG rating.

Of any publication (local and regional), we were the first one to come up with lists, including our top 400. We have every list imaginable—from the most eligible to the most stylish, top hosts and hostesses, the most invited, etc.

The lists were always a joy to do and elicited a lot of reaction from our readers: “Thank you for putting me on the list”; “Why am I not on the list?”. Today we are streamlining the lists to include Asia’s Most Influential: Culture (March 2021), Tastemakers (April 2021), Gen.T (September 2021), Style (October 2021), and Impact (December 2021).

It started with the American designer Tory Burch in 2009, photographed in her New York apartment; and we never looked back since then. We teamed up with different brands to gain access to these notable personalities and were able to get them on our cover. They include Nicole Kidman (2015), Kate Winslet (2012), Sharon Stone (2013), George Clooney (2012) and Ralph Lauren (2015).

When we did this cover shoot at the Malacañan Palace with former President Gloria Arroyo and her Cabinet members Alberto Romulo, Mar Roxas, Lito Camacho and the late Angelo Reyes, we didn’t know that this would literally put us on the map, locally and internationally. The original plan was to ask the Cabinet members to wear sunglasses and be photographed with President GMA without sunglasses. But when she asked us, “Where’s mine?”, we scrambled for an extra pair. This was a rare opportunity of candour. That cover was picked up by major newspapers and TV news programmes here and abroad.

Le Bal des Débutantes or Le Bal is considered one of the most prestigious and exclusive annual debutantes’ balls in the world, partly because of the stringent process of choosing a representative as well as the notable families that participate. We have been privileged to partner with the founder of Le Bal, Ophelie Renouard, since 2008 in finding a debutante who will represent the country. The list of our debutantes includes Paloma Urquijo (2008), Natalia Zobel (2009), Monica Urquijo (2013), Emily Madrigal (2014), Dominique Cojuangco (2015), Monica Concepcion (2016), Kayla Uytengsu (2018), Rocio Zobel (2019). These debs have been dressed by some of the leading fashion designers in the world. The by-invitation event, held in one leading hotel in Paris, is also a fundraiser for Seleni, a non-profit organisation that finances research in healthcare for adolescent mothers.

In a country that’s conservative but quite western and modern in a lot of ways, the LGBTQIA+ community is well-represented even if it still needs to make a lot of strides before its voices are heard. Last August 2020, our first same-sex cover spotlighted Tim Yap and Javi Martinez, with the title “Out of the Shadows”. It took close to 20 years for us to make a stand and say that love is love in any colour, gender, or background. It took a long time coming and needed the perfect moment. And this was the moment.

Since its first issue, Tatler Philippines has witnessed the changing of the guards of the country’s affluent and powerful circles. But when in 2016 we launched Generation T, or Gen.T, not only did we unveil the new breed of Filipino leaders and influencers, we also introduced a new perspective on ‘high society’. With listers ranging from renowned performers like Cris Villonco and Piolo Pascual, to staunch advocates like Ronivin Pagtakhan and Bemz Benedito, to industry leaders like Roland Ros and Brian Cu, and up to millennials already making a global mark like Gab Mejia and Hidilyn Diaz—our future does look bright and beautiful.

With the whole world dealing with the pandemic, and the cataclysmic fallout because of it on the economy, a lot of publications had to close. We were fortunate to survive. Since March 2020, we have been producing digital and print issues, even providing free digital download for our readers.

As to content, we had to learn to be even more creative since there were hardly any parties nor events to feature as well as the difficulty, or impossibility, to do shoots and interviews face to face.

For the Bianca Elizalde cover (July 2020) for instance, it was her husband Juan who took the photos. We were also producing more relevant articles such as those featuring individuals who are helping in the pandemic, tackling relevant health and wellness topics and financial forecasts from experts, to name a few.

We can say it has been very difficult as we faced a new challenge at every turn. But we are committed to producing excellent issues every month and we are glad that you are here with us on our journey.

Besides our shoots with interesting personalities and families outside the country, we have also brought our readers inside the most exclusive events across the globe. We tagged along with former Senator Loren Legarda and our country’s representatives when, after 50 years, we participated again at the Venice arts and architecture biennales. Annually, we visit the Art Basel in Hong Kong, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (now known as Watches & Wonders) in Geneva, Maison&Objet in Paris and kept our front row seats at the fashion week runways in Milan, New York, and London, to name a few.

If you get that feel that the look of the magazine has gone from good to better to best, that is by design. In our 20 years, we have done five major redesigns.

The first major renovation came early in 2007, when the ad boxes were taken out. That was such a welcome relief, because the photos had more room to breathe and be enjoyed by the readers.

In mid-2007, we had another major redesign, aimed at preparing the magazine for the future. It was bolder, more colourful. The logos and typeface could be played around with.  The cover logo carried the masthead Philippine Tatler, and the icon of the man in a barong was retired.

Then in 2014, there was another redesign that brought about changes mostly to the content of the magazine. The current look came in 2020. The cover logo now just carries the word Tatler with the country of origin on the left side. The inside pages are more visual, with eye-popping features on fashion, style, art, jewellery and accessories.

We are thoroughly enjoying these incarnations. It brings the magazine forward to what it is now: bold, daring and adapting to the ever dynamic and changing publishing landscape.

More than a decade ago, the magazine established its online presence, which eventually made all Tatler regions closer than ever. Since then, we have kept up with the advances of technology and last month, we redesigned our website with an impeccable layout and a global capability, giving our readers seamless access to the most compelling lifestyle news and updates across our regional markets in Asia.

In 2020, we also rolled out our series of Facebook and Instagram livestreams called Tatler Talks, which opened our magazine to a broader audience and platform. Also on the virtual route, we’ve transformed our social events to intimate affairs via Zoom that helped our Tatler friends stay connected and engaged in relevant conversations.

Click this link to see more of our virtual events

We love group covers and photos! I guess being able to gather people together and knowing that it could pose a logistical nightmare because of scheduling and grouping (when some people may not be in good terms with each other) make our heart skip a beat. Our first group shot was in 2001 with no less than the First Daughters: Imee Marcos, Luli Arroyo, Jo Ramos and Jackie Ejercito (Kris Aquino was absent due to personal and political reasons). Our heart really skipped a beat when we thought that one First Daughter among the four who confirmed was not going to make it; but in the end, she did and everything was, as they say, Tatler history. Other notable group shots have been our Tatler Ball awardees, our December 2013 issue two-cover edition shot in Salon De Ning, our ode to the Last Supper in 2006, the Asia’s Most Stylish women, and our series on Tribes, which included friends, families, and people working in the same industry.

Every year, the Ball serves as a venue for Tatler Philippines to recognise deserving individuals for their exemplary achievements in their respective fields. Some categories vary each year while others remain like a torch being passed on. Society grand dames, the late Chito Madrigal Collantes and Mary Prieto, shared the Pinnacle Award at the very first Tatler Ball. In 2006, former President Fidel V Ramos received the similar award for his achievements and unswerving dedication to public service. Eventually the Pinnacle Award became the Diamond Award which was given to similar icons of excellence like Ben Chan and the late Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco, Sr. His daughter, Nedy Tantoco, received Patroness of the Arts in 2002 and the Most Charitable Force in 2008. Patroness of the Arts awardees include Bea Zobel, Doris Magsaysay Ho and Margie Moran. Among the country’s National Artists for Visual Arts, sculptor Arturo Luz and painter Benedicto Cabrera both received the Most Creative Force Award in 2008 and 2006, respectively. Another recipient of this award was the Cebuano industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue (2011), for his exceptional work with natural fibres and indigenous materials which earned him international recognition. Meanwhile we’ve also named our Most Stylish Ladies, which include Tootsy Angara and Felicia Atienza, who joined the ranks of other stylish ladies from other Tatler magazines in the region.

Speaking of foreign destinations, our bi-annual title, Philippine Tatler Traveller, has been capturing the best destinations in the world since it launched in 2012. Nina Herrera Huang graced the cover of our first volume, showcasing the incomparable beauty of Boracay island. Since then, Traveller has taken us from the most colourful cities to the finest summer destinations. Even with the pandemic disrupting the plans of our jetsetters, we were able to produce an issue, inspiring everyone to continue protecting our tourist spots and heritage properties as well as supporting our brethren in the travel and hospitality industries.

We have used our access to the most influential personalities for the common good. Through the years, we have mounted benefit auctions and social events that address relevant issues and give aid to those in need. Our beneficiaries include Child Protection Network, Makabata Foundation, Virlanie Foundation, World Wide Fund For Nature, Operation Smile, Bantay Kalikasan, Gawad Kalinga, with advocacies concerning education, environment, healthcare and poverty. The list goes on but best if we just keep our eyes forward as there is still more work to be done to make our country a better place.

Since 2010, we have been scouring the country to find the best restaurants and top bars. The Tatler Dining Guide produces an annual list of the finest eateries and F&B experiences in the Philippines. This yearly guide is a labour of love created by foodies, for foodies. A team comprising Tatler editors and the country’s top food authorities work together to rate, review and curate this top list. Tatler honours the top 20 most impressive establishments and also confers speciality awards for those who shine brightly in their fields. This December, the guide will be back, revamped and proudly presenting the best of the country’s food and beverage scene.

A decade ago, we released the inaugural issue of our other title, Philippine Tatler Homes, and started a more in-depth reportage of our country’s roster of esteemed architects, interior designers and must-have international home décor and furniture brands. We have been inside the grandest homes of our distinguished society personalities and to the most luxurious apartments in the city. We have seen the exquisite works of multi-awarded creative forces like Ramon Antonio, Budji Layug, Royal Pineda, Kenneth Cobonpue and continue to discover interesting finds that promote Filipino artistry and craftsmanship.

There’s always something extra when you get to do shoots outside the country—not only in meeting the subjects you are featuring but everyone along the way as they all bring richness and lasting memories. From 2010 onwards, we started chronicling Filipinos living abroad. We started with New York, then Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan and Spain. These shoots were difficult due to logistics, missed flights, lost baggage, wrong directions and other mishaps. But in the end, very rewarding. One of the most memorable was the shoot we did with the Ferragamo family at their home in Il Borro, Florence. Every member of the family was very easy to work with, but our heart was racing all throughout the shoot because of the tight schedule given to us. It being a Sunday when we photographed them, we had only about two hours to shoot. Adding to our consternation, it rained as we were about to start so we had to wait till it stopped. The result, however, was our arresting cover shot in front of the home of the patriarch, Ferrucio. Like we said, it was very rewarding.

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This story was originally published on Tatler Philippines' September 2021 issue. Download it on Magzter for free.