The voice of The Immigrant

MANILA, Philippines - It could very well be a United Nations event as diplomatic corps from Belgium, Indonesia, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the British Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce came in full force at The Taipan, Tower Club in Makati City last April 18 for the soft launch of The Immigrant.

Soft launch, indeed, because it was just an aperitif to the bigger launch happening soon. Gracing the party were Timor-Leste Ambassador Juvêncio de Jesus Martins, Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Mohd Zamri Bin Mohd Kassim, German Ambassador Joachim Heidorn and British Ambassador Stephen Lillie. Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. sent Undersecretary Daniel Corpuz to represent him as the keynote speaker. 

The Immigrant, a free quarterly direct mail publication (print and online) for expatriates in the Philippines, is the brainchild of publisher lawyer Jose Villanueva III, who has worked in London for the last 20 years (that explains the publication’s charming European look), and veteran magazine editor Walter Villa, who led the in-flight publication of Philippine Airlines, Mabuhay Magazine, to unprecedented six regional travel journalism awards. 

However, what is surprising for a free publication is the quality of its content courtesy of its brilliant contributing writers, editors, illustrators and photographers from Manila’s top publications. Its launch issue on Philippine travel for instance showcases the cover photograph of George Tapan, the country’s top travel photographer and winner of National Geographic worldwide photo contest in 2011.

“The Immigrant is a happy place where all the best writers and editors of the country converge to tackle social, economic, political and lifestyle issues concerning expatriates,” explains Villa. “It’s a creative hybrid, a ‘newszine.’ And while we are not hard-hitting, we don’t ignore or gloss over the issues.”      

Celebrity lawyer Katrina Legarda, executive vice president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines  Henry Schumacher and Dean Ernesto Maceda Jr. of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, make up The Immigrant’s distinguished editorial board lineup.

The Immigrant looks very promising. Its unconventional format and channel may be the answer to the ever-changing media industry. The progressive companies recognize this: while The Immigrant is just barely a year old, Ayala Land Premier and The Medical City have already signed up for one year advertising placement.