Tatler’s tribal tribute

MANILA, Philippines - With every issue, the Philippine Tatler challenges itself to outdo last month’s magazine. And when the anniversary issue comes around, the pressure is greater to come up with something that has never been done or seen before in Philippine publishing

For its 12th anniversary however, this magazine that chronicles the life and times of high society, opted to reprise its “Tribes” feature which first saw print last year. But as expected, Tatler challenged itself again and outdid the first “Tribes” by putting together more groups, doubling the production effort. And so for its September anniversary issue, the Philippine Tatler upped the ante from 13 tribes to 15 and from 125 individuals to 150, to create a visual spectacle of 32 pages of groups that each share a bond – be it family, friendship, advocacy, or interest.

Choosing 11 extraordinary women who have discovered second homes whether through marriage or career, the issue takes its readers to 11 key cities around the world and gives a glimpse of each locale through their eyes. The resulting feature “My City Secrets” holds facets of, say, Isabelle Preysler’s Madrid, Monique Lhuillier’s Los Angeles, Mai Mai Cojuangco Zini’s Florence or Josie Natori’s New York that any of these places’ tour guides might not even be aware of.  

The issue also offers pages and pages of visual feasts. First is the new coffee table book of Butterflies and All Things Free by one of Asia’s style icon, Bonnae Gokson. The stunning photographs and the inspiring story of this extremely talented “honorary” Filipina is an exclusive treat. Feast your eyes on Gokson’s beautiful cake creations and understand her amazing style philosophy. Then there is Andre Leon Talley’s Little Black Dress, which shows the beautiful journey of the classic LBD. For some masculine sex appeal, supermodel Paolo Roldan shows Louis Vuitton’s f/w 2013 collection. And if bling is your thing, drool over sparkling jewellery paired with delectable foods in a visual assault to your senses.

There are also the exclusive features on Diana Kruger, the House of Chanel’s new muse, and of Philippe Starck, master of design.

 If the issue offers something enhanced and something exclusive, then it also has something very new for its readers: the e-car. The project, spearheaded by Fred Tinga, has a scheduled unveiling in Manila this month. Can this first electrical mass transit car solve the traffic problem of the metropolis? This remains to be proven. But one thing is certain; it is certainly more cost-efficient and environment-friendly.

At the end of Tatler’s exhausting day, the anniversary issue yielded 340 pages of interesting read after interesting read. As editor in chief, I probably could not pick only one out of the hundreds of well-crafted photographs to put on the cover; so I chose four tribes for a multi-cover issue, the first time the magazine has ever done it.

Take your pick from the special four-cover anniversary issue:  The six new senators — Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, Bam Aquino, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito; the Concepcions, family of high society; Ben Chan and Bryan Lim with some of their Bench endorsers like Richard Gomez Solenn Heusaff and Bea Alonso; or the new “It” girls — Alexandra Rocha, Jessica Kienle, Kim Jones, Sam Sadhwani, Rocio Olbes.

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Anton San Diego is the editor in chief of the Philippine Tatler.