FRONT AND BACK (2000-2020)

FRONT AND BACK

(2000-2020)

          The 21st century has its share of Philippine magazines having the same celebrities on their front and back covers.

Halina Perez
Maximo (April 2003).



Kristine Hermosa
MOD (February 10, 2006).



Ellen Adarna
Gravure Photobook (RAWR Books, 2012).



PREVIOUS

Monkey Business: Taking Cloning Seriously

MOD Vol. 32 No. 1484, March 3, 2000

On the cover: Prima Ballerina Liza Macuja

In MOD’s Headliners section, “Monkey Business: Taking Cloning Seriously,” is a brief look into the controversial scientific advancement and breakthrough that borders within the limits of ethics and morality. In the sidebar, “The Search for Adam and Eve,” is about the scientific discoveries that pointed to the origin of human kind.

“Know that the LORD is GOD. He made us, and we belong to Him; we are His people, the sheep He tends..... Let those who want to do wrong stay away from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.” – Psalms 100:3 and 101:4, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Computer Games: Is There Any Danger?

MOD Vol. 25 No. 1121, February 26, 1993

On the cover: Jheng Martinez

This article, “Computer Games: Is there Any Danger?” was written 25 years ago. Much have changed since then, but the question persists, especially so when today’s computer games are more realistic than ever and contains far more excessive sex and violence.

“In the struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. You have forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons: My son, do not think lightly of the LORD’s discipline, or be discouraged when He corrects you; for whom the LORD loves He disciplines; He chastises every son whom He acknowledges.” – A Letter to Hebrews 12:4-6, The Revised English Bible.

Tsunami: When the Sea Becomes a Monster

MOD Vol. 37 Nos. 1740 and 1741, February 25 and March 4, 2005

On the left cover: Raquel Denise “Kelly” Misa

On the right cover: Romina “Mina” Zamora

As a consequence of the megathrust Magnitude 9.0 earthquake that hit the west coast of Northern Sumatra some 225 kilometers south-southeast of Banda Aceh, in Indonesia, last December 26, 2004, a giant tsunami was generated that reached as far away as the eastern coast of Africa. The Philippines, though in a lesser scale, was not apart from such disaster. What can we really do? Read on.

“LORD, the seas raise, the seas raise their voice. The seas raise up their pounding waves. The sound of the water is loud; the ocean waves are powerful, but the LORD above is much greater.” – Psalms 93:3-4, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

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.

Mayon Ourburst: The Queen has Risen!

MOD Vol. 25 No. 1120, February 19, 1993

On the cover: Josephine Velasquez

No, this article, “Mayon Outburst: The Queen Has Risen!” is not current. It was written 25 years ago, but by coincidence the volcano is again in outburst.

 

“May the glory of the LORD stand forever, and may the LORD rejoice in His works! When He looks at the earth, it quakes; when He touches the mountains, they pour forth smoke.” – Psalms 104:32, The Revised English Bible.

 

The Power Crisis (1990s): What Lies Ahead

MOD Vol. 26 No. 1172, February 18, 1994
On the front cover: Stacy Valero Brennan
On the back cover: Tina Revilla-Valencia and her son for the Alpine Full Cream Milk print ad

This article, “The Power Crisis: What Lies Ahead,” was written during the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos when the Philippines was plunged into darkness, experiencing half a day of brownouts daily. This was the offshoot of the Cory Aquino regime’s incompetency, lack of foresight and mismanagement. Because of Aquino’s vindictiveness, she ordered the stoppage of all projects of the Marcos’ government, including the construction of power plants, without viable alternative. This resulted in massive power shortages at the end of her rule.

Despite the optimistic viewpoint of this article, however, the promises of the FVR regime were not met on time, and as such the power crisis continued long after.

Also in this MOD February 18, 1994 issue is a poem, “In Your Silent Anguish,” which was written in (unsolicited) response to a poem I earlier read, also, in this magazine.

“He (GOD) catches the wise in their own clever traps and sweeps away the plans of those who try to trick others. Darkness covers them up in the daytime; even at noon they feel around in the dark.” – Job 5:13-14, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Dangers From the Sky: Runaway Asteroids

MOD Vol. 25 No. 1117, January 29, 1993

On the cover: Evangeline D. Cayco

This is the first article I have written about “runaway asteroids.” It has been reprinted in the MOD March 17, 2000 issue and also in other publications (SEE “Close Encounters of the Massive Kind. RunawayAsteroids: Are We Ready for Them” published in Manila Standard, January 3, 1999).

In Math-O’Logics, tips in solving Algebra problems, with a simple age problem to demonstrate.

“In the days after that time of trouble the sun will grow dark, the moon will no longer shine, the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in space will be driven from their courses.” – The Gospel According to Mark 13:24-25, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Three Articles on Waste Management



MOD Vol. 44 No. 1901, January-February 2013
On the front cover: Coco Martin
On the back cover: Daiana Menezes for the Ever Bilena print ad.

Three articles on waste management.

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD..... How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” – The Book of Psalms 119:1 & 9, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

The Future: Prediction in the Field of Science

MOD Vol. 33 No. 1529, January 19, 2001

On the cover: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Written 17 years ago, the article welcoming 2001 and the predictions in the field of science.

“You don’t (even) know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. What you should say is this: ‘If the LORD is willing, we will live and do this or that.’” – The Letter from James 4:14-15, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Bigger Disasters Coming!

MOD Vol. 38 No. 1830, January 15, 2007
On the cover: Yeng Constantino

In the aftermath of Supertyphoon Reming, and before Supertyphoon Yolanda, I wrote this forecast – “After Typhoon Reming, Bigger Disasters Coming – in MOD January 15, 2007 issue.

“So this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘In My rage I shall unleash a stormwind; rain will come in torrents in My anger, hailstones in My fury, until all is destroyed.” – The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel 13:13, The Revised English Bible.

Coming Up Next: A Cloned Human Being?

MOD Vol. 33 No. 1528, January 12, 2001

On the cover: Assunta de Rossi

The advancement of science at the onset of the 21st century is extraordinary. The talks about cloning have circulated in the scientific community with the completion of the sequencing of the genome code. So, in this article – “Coming Up Next: A Cloned Human Being?” – I asked the question: “Would the completion of the first map of the human genetic code lead us to a better life or would this discovery ultimately destroy humanity?”

“Wisdom begins with respect for the LORD, and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One..... The wise person is rewarded by wisdom, but whoever makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it.” – Proverbs 9:10 and 12, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Gadgets of the Future

MOD Vol. 42 No. 1879, January-February 2011

On the cover: Stephanie Sol

What the future holds is now within reach.

“Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Of Calendars and Valentines

MOD Vol. 43 No. 1890, January-February 2012
On the cover: Angel Locsin

The article “Night/Day” is about calendars, the many different kinds and systems of knowing the days, months and years, of recording time and history.

Another article connected with calendars included in this issue is “Leap Year: Science and Superstition.”

Also in this MOD January-February 2012 issue is the article “Heart of the Matter: Valentine’s Day Travesties and Trivia.”

“In the past, GOD let all the nations do what they wanted. Yet He proved He is real by showing kindness, by giving you rain from heaven and crops at the right times, by giving you food and feeling your hearts with joy.” – Acts 14:16-17, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Trends: Fast Forward to the Future

MOD (Trends 2000), January 2000

The article “Fast Forward to the Future,” Written 18 years ago, is a peek into the social and medical trends in the future.

“The LORD, the King of Israel, has this to say: ‘You gods of the nations, present your case. Bring the best arguments you have! Come here and predict what will happen, so that we will know it when it takes place..... Tell us what the future holds – then we will know that you are gods....! You and all you do are nothing; those who worship you are disgusting....! All these gods are useless; they can do nothing at all – these idols are weak and powerless.’” – The Book of Isaiah 41:21-24 & 29, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Wham Bam, Do You Really Want a Piece of Ham?

MOD Vol. 42 No. 1889, December 2011

On the cover: Kimberly Kaye Baculi

This was originally titled “Wham Bam, Do You Really Want a Piece of Ham?” It was editor-retitled “A HAM-my Story” probably to get on with the Yuletide tradition. A paragraph (biblical reference) was removed: First, let us remember that biblically speaking, pork is spiritually “unclean.” God forbade his people to eat swine meat (Leviticus 11:7-8, Deuteronomy 14:18) and the early Christians regarded the hog as the epitome of filth (Matthew 7:6, II Peter 2:22).

 

 

“Now the pig has a split hoof that is completely divided, but it does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat the meat from these animals or even touch their dead bodies; they are unclean for you.” – Leviticus 11:7-8, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Top-Grossing Films of 2006

MOD Vol. 38 No. 1829, December 25, 2006

On the cover: Judy Ann Santos

A brief rundown and summary of “The Top-Grossing Films” of 2006.

“My soul waits for the LORD more eagerly than watchmen for the morning. Like those who watch for the morning.....” – Psalms 130:6, The Revised English Bible.

Avoid Pickpocketeers and Thieves This Christmas

MOD Vol. 36 No. 1732, December 24, 2004

On the cover: Rica Peralejo

Tips on how to “Avoid Pickpocketeers and Thieves This Christmas.”

MOD Girl, December 24, 2004

On the cover: Jaime Valerie Tan

“Yuletide Tidbits.”

“Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them.” – Matthew 6:19-20, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Tips for Wrapping Gifts of All Shapes and Sizes

MOD Christmas Special, December 2005

On the cover: Charo Ronquillo, 2005 Supermodel of the Philippines

Here are “Neat Tricks for (Wrapping) Gifts of All Shapes and Sizes.”

“They (Visitor from the East) went into the house, and when they saw the child with His mother Mary, they knelt down and worshipped Him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to Him.” – The Gospel According to Matthew 2:11, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.