TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MAGAZINE COVERS

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MAGAZINE COVERS

 

          I tagged it “Traditional Christmas” because most of us know that December 25 is not really the day of birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It’s the wrong day, month and year of beginning. Christmas around the world, however, have been observed for centuries on this day.

          Daily, weekly and monthly publications follow the same tradition, and their covers speak of the annual event.

          Here are some Philippine magazines with Christmas as the theme or part of the layout of the covers.

          This one, as of this posting, is 71 years old. The Christmas issue of Daigdig (Ang Dating Hiwaga) featuring Tita Duran (Teresita Rigo Durango, 1929-1991), and Jose Perez Vera.

Daigdig (Ang Dating Hiwaga), December 16, 1947.

          The post-war magazine The Philippine Screen Glamour feauring on its front cover, Pancho Magalona (Enrique Gayoso Magalona Jr, 1923-1998) and Tita Duran, and on the back cover, the film Ang Pagsilang ng Mesiyas (The Birth of the Messiah, 1952).

The Philippine Screen Glamour, December 1952

 

          The “Christmas Three” issue of Kislap Graphic featuring the top three young stars of the era, Amalia Fuentes, Barbara Perez and Susan Roces.

Kislap Graphic, December 19, 1956

          Topstar Pip Movie Entertainment Magazine, featuring Tirso “Pip” Cruz III and the love team of Edgar Mortiz and Vilma Santos.

Topstar Pip Movie Entertainment Magazine Vol. 1 No. 3, December 28, 1970

 

 

          This Sixteen issue (Vol. 4 No. 112, December 29, 1972), with the young Vilma Santos on the front cover, says it also in different language on its cover

Sixteen Vol. 4 No. 112, December 29, 1972

          After a decade or so, Sixteen became Sixteen MOD, and then MOD Filipina. Here are two succeeding issues for Christmas of 1988 featuring Shelley Huchel and Heidi Rodriguez.

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 Nos. 902 and 903, December 16 and 23, 1988

          Two Christmas issues of Celebrity World featuring Sunshine Cruz (1994) and Congressman Joaquin Nereo and his wife Uliran (1995).

Celebrity World Vol. 3 No. 177, December 26, 1994 and Vol. 4 No. 228, December 25, 1995

          Mr. & Ms. 1994 Christmas issue featuring Dawn Zulueta.

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 18 No. 35, December 20, 1994

          Mr. & Ms. most often featured a family photo on it’s Christmas issue covers such as these: Paco Arespacochaga and Geneva Cruz and their daughter Heaven (1996) and Jomari Yllana and Aiko Melendez and their son Andre (1998). Ironically and unfortunately, however, both relationships ended up in separations.

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 20 No. 34, December 24, 1996 and Vol. 22 No.34, December 22, 1998

 

          Here is Mr. & Ms. unique Christmas-New Year issue featuring Gary Valenciano, his wife, Angeli Pangilinan, and their children, Gabriel, Paolo and Keana.

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 25 No. 36, December 25, 2001 – January 1, 2002

 

          Atlas TV Guide (initially titled TV Star), started circulation on December 1999, with its first cover featuring Titanic’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. As such it may not distinctively had the Christmas theme on its cover except for a few Yuletide symbols.

Atlas TV Guide first issue, December 1999

Atlas TV Guide December issues (2000, 2002 and 2005)

Atlas TV Guide December issues (2006, 2007 and 2008)



Atlas TV Guide December issues (2010, 2011 and 2012)



 

          MOD 1999 Christmas issue with The World is Not Enough lead actress Sophie Marceau on the cover as “Christmas Girl.”

MOD December 1999

          More MOD 2004, 2005 and 2006 Christmas issues featuring Rica Peralejo, Iya Villania and Judy Ann Santos.

MOD Vol. 36 No. 1732 (December 24, 2004), Vol. 37 No. 1783 (December 23, 2005)

and Vol. 38 No. 1829 (December 25, 2006)



 

          Apart from its Christmas issues, MOD also releases “Christmas Specials” such as the two below, featuring Charo Ronquillo (2005) and Ann Rhea Macapagal (2006).

MOD Christmas Special issues for 2005 and 2006

           Finally for MOD, it’s last two Christmas issues, featuring Kimberly Baculi (2011) and Judy Ann Santos (2012).

MOD December 2011 and December 2012

 

 

          Two succeeding Christmas issues of the popular Ilocano magazine, Bannawag, featuring Zaijan Jaranilla (2011) and Angel Locsin (2012).

Bannawag, December 26, 2011 and December 24, 2012

Troubles in Freedomland

Celebrity World Vol. 4 Nos. 187 & 188, March 6 and 13, 1995

On the left cover: Cynthia Khan

On the right cover: Geneva Cruz

This two-part article, “Troubles in Freedomland,” was written 23 years ago, and up to now it is still the items in the news. It was written when the Philippines still occupied eight of the 53 islands within its territorial jurisdiction, inside its 200-mile exclusive economic zone. It was in 1976, when Pres. Ferdinand Marcos sent forces to occupy 11 islands and marked seven more reefs to assert territorial jurisdiction. Pres. Marcos also ordered the building of an airstrip on Pag-asa, the largest of the islands, and garrisons and living facilities that is still existing and operational today.

Also include is “A Glimpse of Kalayaan History.”

“Attend to Me in silence, you islands; and let national groups themselves regain power. Let them approach. At that time let them speak. Let us come up close together for the judgment itself.” – Isaiah 41:1, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

Chocolates: For that Loving Feeling

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 185, February 20, 1995

On the cover: Jao Mapa and commercial model Ruth Pilar Barnett

Chocolate is a commodity probably as popular as Valentine’s Day. So, an article about chocolate, “Chocolates for Valentine: For that Loving Feeling,” is also very popular, such that I had re-written it several times for different magazines.

MOD Vol. 38 No.1832, February 19, 2007

On the cover: Patrick Garcia and Jennylyn Mercado

“Who is this whose glance is like the dawn? She is beautiful and bright, as dazzling as the sun or the moon..... I am trembling; you have made me as eager for love as a chariot driver is for battle.” – Song of Songs 6:11 & 13, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

In the Eye of a Space Telescope

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 184, February 1, 1995
On the cover: Tweetie de Leon

Two science articles – “In the Eye of a Space Telescope: Hubble, Out of Trouble, Finds Trouble!” and “Real-Life Jurassic Park: No Dinosaurs – Just Prehistoric Pine Trees.”

“How great are the wonders GOD shows us! How powerful are the miracles he performs! GOD is king forever; He will rule for all time.” – The Book of Daniel, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Celebrity Profile: Yitzhak Rabin

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 234, February 5, 1996
On the cover: Video jockey and MTV Asia star Nonie Tao

A profile of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, published two months after he was assassinated.

“Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry; come to my aid when I weep. Like all my ancestors I am only your guest for a little while. Leave me alone so that I may have some happiness before I go away and am no more.” – Psalms 39:12-13, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

The Year of the Boar (1995)

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 182, January 30, 1995

On the cover: Joanne Pascual

An assigned article for “The Year of the Boar” (1995).

“Be patient and wait for the LORD to act; don’t be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their evil plans. Don’t give in to worry or anger, it only leads to trouble.” – Psalms 37:7-8, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

1995 PHILIPPINE PRESS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY JOURNALISM AWARD

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 229, January 1, 1996
On the cover: Dolphy and Vandolph

It happened 22 years ago and it’s still quite nice to reminisce. My article “An Education on Philippine Endangered Species” won the top price in the 5th Annual Philippine Press Institute Science and Technology Journalism Award.

“You (GOD) are my rock and my protection. For the good of Your name, lead me and guide me.... You guide me with Your advice, and later You will receive me in honor.” – Psalms 31:3 and 73:24, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

To be an Environmentalist, Start With Your Yuletide Garbage

Celebrity World Vol. 3 No. 177, December 26, 1994

On the cover: Sunshine Cruz

A short article about the December birthstone turquoise.

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 19 No. 35, December 26, 1995 – January 2, 1996

On the cover: Aga Muhlach

On Let’s Save Our Planet section of Mr. & Ms., some suggestions on how “To be an environmentalist.....” You can do it. Everybody can do it. “Start with your Yuletide garbage.” Manage your garbage and recycle!

 

“The observers gave this command; the holy ones declared the sentence. This is so all people may know that the Most High GOD rules over every kingdom on earth. GOD gives those kingdoms to anyone He wants, and He chooses people to rule them who are not proud.” – Daniel 4:17, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

12 Things You're Most Likely to Give or Receive This Christmas

12 THINGS YOU’RE MOST LIKELY TO GIVE OR RECEIVE THIS CHRISTMAS

(Here’s a Yuletide article that is quite timeless. Submitted and published in three different magazines. One editor told me that as long as it is not published on the same week, it’s okay with her. Well, I made sure it is not published on the same year, not even on the succeeding year.)

Celebrity World Vol. 3 No. 176, December 19, 1994

On the cover: Dolphy and Vandolph

 



Mr. & Ms. Vol. 20 No. 33, December 17, 1996

On the cover: CJ Ramos and Shaina Magdayao (When they were kids)



MOD Christmas Special, December 1999

On the front cover: Sophie Marceau

On the backcover: Maricel Soriano for the Green Cross Isopropyl Alcohol print ad



“Greet one another with a brotherly kiss.” – Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians 13:12, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Christmas Carols: Enduring Centuries of Tradition & Celebration

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 227, December 18, 1995

On the cover: Michelle Gallaga and Lala Directo

“Christmas Carols: Enduring Centuries of Tradition and Celebration.”

“Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to GOD: ‘Glory to GOD in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.’” – The Gospel According to Luke 2:13-14, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version

The American Dream

Celebrity World Vol. 3 No. 174, December 5, 1994

On the cover: Angelique Lazo

President Rodrigo Duterte is not alone in his allergy of American imperialism. Those who study history well and scrutinize the many mirages created by the so-called “American Dream,” know the darkness and sinisterness behind the most powerful nation in the world. This article, “The American Dream,” was written 23 years ago when Bill Clinton was president of the US, but its essay and significance, the reality and stigma, remains to date.

“The second beast forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. No one could buy or sell without this mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.”  - Revelation 13:16-17, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Dateline Mindoro: Earthquakes & Tidalwaves

Celebrity World Vol. 3 No. 173, November 28, 1994

On the cover: Joy Ortega

The article “Dateline: Mindoro, Earthquakes and Tidal Waves” (pp. 6-8) was an aftermath report of the Magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit Mindoro on November 15, 1994.

“Let those who fear the LORD now say, His mercy endures forever.” – The Book of Psalms 118:4, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.