Behind the bylines

MANILA, Philippines -Game of Thrones might have given us the line, “Winter is coming.” But in the season of September issues, Diana Vreeland #throwbacks, The Editor’s Eye, and social media that has put an exciting new face on publishing (case in point: Preview’s #imapreviewgirl), you might as well make that “Wintour is coming.”

It’s not so much Anna — her steely cold personality, the shades, or the iconic bob. Rather, it’s what editors like her represent: the immaculate possibility of being an influencer in a world perceived by many as glamorous, or the possibility of being embedded — or at least within close proximity — of those who revel in the cultural zeitgeist. What do Anna and other editors have that mere mortals don’t besides a hit documentary and the world at their fingertips? Access. Lots of it.

The US Vogue editor said in the documentary The September Issue, “There is something about fashion that makes people nervous.” Having worked for a magazine myself, I can honestly say the same about publishing, which is kind of intrinsically linked to fashion. It’s not easy, and it’s not at all what it seems. A lot of times, you’re moving mountains, managing egos, and making impossible ends meet — all within tight deadlines. The September Issue may be the rapture or the reverie but the reality is, like any other job, it’s hard work, and one where you’d probably have to wrecking ball your way through brick and mortar to get to the top.

For its yearly homage to the September issue — the biggest month in publishing — Young STAR rounded up 10 hardworking editorial-slash-fashion assistants from various magazines and paired them off, according to category, to talk about the ins and outs of the industry as well as being the new kids on the publishing block.

The high-endmen’s magazine

Don Jaucian (editorial assistant, Rogue; contributing editor, Supreme): So when did you join Esquire?

Kara Ortiga (editorial assistant, Esquire; columnist, Young STAR): Around six months ago. I’m not even a regular yet. How are you finding it so far?

Don: Light at first because I was doing intern work. But as the weeks went by, I started helping with their shoots.

Kara: The first few months is really all about learning, watching everyone do their thing. No one dictates to you how it’s done. You have to observe and then do it yourself. We’re very independent workers.

Don: There will be assignments. And they let you do your own thing — gather the sources. Well, I haven’t done anything major yet. Writing pa lang naman.

Kara: I started with writing the Table of Contents. (Laughs) And the second month, The Contributor’s Page. That’s how it is.

Don: Is there a dictation you follow with regards to the Esquire man?

Kara: Definitely. I think it’s different for us pa because we’re an international brand that has been there for so many years. Maraming rules and limitations. I wonder how you guys see the Filipino man…

Don: Well, the Rogue guy is very cultured and in tune with the times but still rooted in heritage.

Kara: So who do you learn from the most?

Don: From everyone. Miguel Mari (our creative director) and Paolo Reyes (our editor in chief). They’re the guys who really embody the brand. And I guess with you, it’s Erwin (Romulo, editor in chief). I feel that with Erwin, there’s this brand he carries for every magazine that he works for.

Kara: I think that’s how it is with magazines. You embody your brand. And a lot of people in Esquire came from the STAR. I suppose there’s a strong work ethic that is hinged on that.

Don: Which is cool, you’re with people you get along with.

Kara: I like being in a boy’s club.

The fashion magazine

Randz Manucom (fashion assistant, Metro): How long have you been with your magazine?

Bea Gabuya (editorial coordinator, Meg): It’s my fifth month.

Randz: How are you finding it so far?

Bea: So far, so good. Although at first, it was a bit shocking. This is my first job after I graduated from Miriam College.

Randz: Have you always wanted to work for a magazine?

Bea: My course was communications so everything that involves media, I’m curious about. I was never really a fashion girl. Have you always been into fashion?

Randz: Mid-college, I was so jeje. I came from the province and people there weren’t really fashion-forward. I studied in Korea for a semester, and upon seeing them, I was like, “Why don’t we dress like these people?” They’re very upbeat, alive! I didn’t see that same vibe here when I was in college. So I wanted to start somewhere where I could bring some of that.

Bea: Being an editorial coordinator, I’m happy I get to interact with a lot of people and get to go to different things. Hindi kasi ako mapakaling tao.

Randz: Like The Devil Wears Prada, do you consider your job somewhat like Andy Sachs’ — that it’s glamorous na hindi?

Bea: Siyempre, if you’re not from a magazine, tingin mo “It’s fashion, oh my God!” But when you get to the inside, it’s the same. It’s just a different set of people.

Randz: I remember this scene from Devil Wears Prada where Emily Blunt was pulling out Hermes scarves and then nasagasaan siya. When you pull out from Hermes, you’ll really guard it with your life.

Bea: Tapos sa shoot, ikaw yung nag-ta-tape ng (soles of the) shoes.

Randz: I love how people would be like, “You’re in such a sosy job. I bet you’re earning tons.” You’re not. Well, not yet. We all have to start somewhere.

Bea: Like what I said in my job interview, I’m looking for a job that won’t really make me rich but wherein I’ll walk out the building and say, “I have all this experience that you don’t!”

Randz: So if someone were to replace you if you got promoted, what advice would you give him or her?

Bea: Probably what our deputy editor Wyatt (Ong) told me. She said, “Even though you do a hundred things at a time, you still have to make it 100 percent everything.” It’s not about how many things you do but how efficient you are producing things.

Randz: Me, don’t do it for money, do it for the love. Money will come after.

The celebrity magazine

Lea Inciong (editorial assistant, StarStudio): Is this your first time?

Myta Santiago (editorial assistant, Hola!): This is actually my second time. I used to work with another group. But I thought that time that publishing wasn’t for me. So I went into community development. After a while, I decided to go back to publishing. I missed the stress of closing a magazine.

Lea: What was your college course?

Myta: I took up European studies with a minor in Hispanic studies in Ateneo. It’s kind of far from my career choices. (Laughs) Was this your first job?

Lea: Yeah. I was an intern at ABS-CBN Publishing for Star Studio also. After I graduated, nag-resign yung last EA nila. And since alam ko na yung pasikot-sikot, they got me. Actually, as an OJT, when I got a copy of the magazine na may sinulat ako, para akong lumulutang. I bought at least three copies to give to my family.

Myta: Right? When you read your first feature, it’s like “EHRMAGERD, I’m a writer!”

Lea: So what is it that you do?

Myta: Basically coordination, making sure nobody is dead after closing. (Laughs) Double-checking on everyone’s to-do list. Writing my own features and sections. They know kasi that I really want to write. And I won’t let an issue pass where I didn’t write at least one article.

Lea: I also tend to write at least one. I usually write the advertorials. I’m still waiting for my breakthrough — as in, to be assigned a major story.

Myta: Well, if you’re really passionate about it, it’ll come. And it becomes second to breathing na rin eh. Kahit anong stress na ang nangyayari sa ‘yo, parang wala lang.

The men’s magazine

Ash Mahinay (editorial assistant, FHM): So with all these brands coming to the Philippines, do you think the Filipino male is getting upgraded?

Jerico Villamonte (fashion assistant, Garage): I think so. It’s hard if you stay stuck when something is evolving. Maiiwanan ka kung hindi ka sumabay sa agos. With society now, people try to keep themselves updated — same with fashion. So what’s the hardest part about being the new guy?

Ash: I think it’s just about learning the basic processes. Working for a magazine, they don’t give you a handbook. You learn by tailing your more senior editors. And then suddenly, you’re not the new guy anymore. Is going all the way to editor in chief something you’re thinking about?

Jerico: Right now, I got more into styling so I’m leaning towards that side of editorial. Have you ever had any embarrassing moments working in FHM?

Ash: Thankfully, none yet. But I’ve had situations where I have to impose on more senior editors — like talking to Preview girls if I can borrow their pics for our 100 Sexiest List. It’s all part of the job. After a while, you lose the fear factor. Do you worry about magazines becoming websites in the future?

Jerico: Most of the people I’ve talked to, they like the feel of a magazine — touching the pages. Feeling ko, kung magiging ganun man, matatagalan. So, what advice can you give those who are trying to penetrate the industry?

Ash: Don’t really worry about having to take up a course like journalism. I know a lot of people who didn’t take up a proper magazine course. You learn from producing shoots, going to events, writing, even socializing with people — that counts. I produced shoots as a filmmaker, so when it came to producing shoots for a magazine, it was almost like second nature.

Jerico: So the question is, how do you focus when you see naked girls?

Ash: It’s hard. Imagine Solenn (Heussaff) in front of you — well, not naked, but really sexy. After awhile, the excitement goes away though and it becomes about work. (Laughs)

The society magazine

Jenny Chan (editorial assistant, Metro Society): So when did you start?

Janna Gulinao (editorial coordinator, Lifestyle Asia): Last April. You?

Jenny: I started October so I’ll be one year in a few weeks.

Janna: What course did you take in college?

Jenny: I took up comm tech. It was a business course. I wasn’t sure I’d get into publishing but I ended up here.

Janna: I’m a broadcast communications major. I got curious as to how a magazine works. And basically, the idea of a luxury magazine, I thought it would be really challenging to touch on a specific market that is not our age.

Janna: Do you find that working in a luxury title can make you high-maintenance?

Jenny: I won’t really admit it pero I’m kind of spoiled. (Laughs) It’s just that there are people who are more spoiled than me. You get to see how high end and luxurious some people are. And yet they’re still so down-to-earth and can accommodate everyone, as opposed to some people who are so up there and you can’t talk to them. And they won’t really talk to you, either.

Janna: Being in that kind of situation taught me to be more into details. Before, I’d be like okay na yan. When I started working for Lifestyle Asia, I learned how to be meticulous. Like, “Oh, I think that would be better in terms of brand!” It makes you a better person in terms of choosing things that will not only make you better but people around you better. So yeah, probably. (Laughs)