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

Math-O'Logics: The Way of the Dragon

MOD Filipina Vol. 20 No. 859, February 19, 1988

On the cover: Swedish ballet dancer Martina Orrmyr

In Math-O’Logics, inspired by the 1988 Year of the Dragon, is a multi-equation Algebra age problem subtitled “The Way of the Dragon.”

In this same MOD Filipina February 19, 1988 issue, is Jr Puzzler, where I contributed a trivia quiz in rhymed verses about Chinese historic figures.

“By My great power and strength I created the world, mankind, and all the animals that lived on the earth; and I give it to anyone I choose.” – The Book of Jeremiah 27:5, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Math-O'Logic: Of Love and Logic

MOD Filipina Vol. 22 Nos. 963 and 964, February 16 and 23, 1990

On the left cover: Patricia “Tricia” Baluyot Miller

On the right cover: Sofia Zobel de Ayala

In this two succeeding issues of MOD magazine’s Math-O’Logics, your logical deduction will be tested. Subtitled “Of Love and Logic,” you need to analyze the relationship of the given information and make logical deduction to obtain the correct pairings of lovers, gifts, and abodes.

“My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens and to gather lilies. I belong to my lover; and my lover belongs to me.....” – Song of Solomon 6:2-3, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Math-O'Logics: Of Drawing Hearts and Eloping

MOD Filipina Vol. 20 No. 858, February 12, 1988

On the cover Maria Lourdes “Malou” Sabater

On Math-O’Logics, “Of Drawing Hearts and Eloping,” where we discussed how to mathematically (through the use of Calculus) draw a heart, and help a man elope with his girlfriend.

“The look in your eyes, my sweetheart and bride, and the necklace you are wearing have stolen my heart. Your love delights me, my sweetheart and bride. Your love is better than wine; your perfume more fragrant than any spice.” – Song of Songs 4:9-10, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Math-O'Logics: Snake in the Eagle's Shadow

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 910. February 10, 1989

On the cover: Anne Leah Z. Orosa

I must admit that the title of Jackie Chan’s film – Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow – was the inspiration for this Math-O’Logics issue dealing with Algebra.

“Even those who are young grow weak; young men can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.” – The Book of Isaiah 40:30-31, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Math-O'Logics: Figuring Figures

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 909, February 3, 1989

On the cover: Shielu Vargas Bharwani

On Math-O’Logics, a mixed mathematical problem is solved in “Figuring Figures.”

“GOD has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, GOD made us to do good works, which GOD planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” – Ephesians 2:10, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Math-O'Logics: Simple Age Problems in Algebra

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 907, January 20, 1989
On the cover: Olivia "Olive" L. Diaz

In Math-O’Logics, solving “Simple Age Problems” in Algebra.

And to an activist-friend who was murdered during the Cory Aquino’s psedodemocratic regime, “To a Fallen Friend” – Lean Alejandro – a poem of tribute.

“I lie awake, and am like a sparrow alone on the housetop..... He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer.” – The Book of Psalms 102:7 & 17, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

Signs of the Times

MOD Filipina Vol. 22 No. 957, January 5, 1990

On the cover: Shirley Guevarra Borja

Written 27 years ago, this article “Signs of the Times” unveiled many events that had been foretold in the Holy Scriptures.

“He (Jesus) answered and said to them, ‘when it is evening you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red; and in the morning, it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” – The Gospel According to Matthew 16:2-3, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

Math-O'Logics: Newton's Law of Approximation

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 903, December 23, 1988
On the cover: Heidi M. Rodriguez

In Math-O’Logics, the continuation of finding solution to transcendental equation, this time using “Newton’s Method of Approximation.”

MOD Vol. 37 No. 1783, December 23, 2005
On the cover: Iya Villania
 

After mathematics, how about another crossword puzzle. This one has four Eva’s.

“Sovereign LORD, You made the earth and the sky by Your great power and might; nothing is too difficult for You..... You make wise plans and do mighty things; You see everything that people do, and You reward them according to their actions.” – The Book of Jeremiah 32:17 & 19, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Math-O'Logics: The Fermat Challenge

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 902, December 16, 1988
On the cover: Michelle “Shelley” Huschel

In  this issue of Math-O’Logics, “The Fermat Challenge,” higher mathematics – transcendental equation – is discussed. (SEE also “Newton’sLaw of Approximation”).

“The person who speaks in strange tongues, then, must pray for the gift to explain what he says.” – Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 14:13, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Paradise Lost: Environmental Crisis

MOD Filipina Vol. 24 No. 1057, December 6, 1991

On the cover: Martina Campos Asuncion

This article, “Pardise Lost: Environmental Crisis,” was written 26 years ago, but the lingering questions remained blunt and relevant. Mindanao, the once called “Promised Land,” now perennially flooded whenever it rains. This is because its once bountiful forests are almost denuded. Similar situation can be seen throughout the country.

“Many shepherds have ruined My vineyards and trampled the plants in my field. They have turned my field into a desert that is wilted and dead. The whole country is an empty desert, because no one who lives there cares.” – Jeremiah 12:10-11, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Math-O'Logics: Algebra Problems

MOD Filipina Vol. 24 No. 951, November 24, 1989

On the cover: Zendle Anne Carbonnel

In Math-O’Logics, more Algebra problems were discussed as requested by a reader.

“LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are GOD..... For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it past, and like a watch in the night..... So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – The Book of Psalms 90:1, 2, 4 and 12, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

Earthquake-Proof Structures: Are There Such Things?

MOD Filipina Vol. 24 No. 1054, November 15, 1991

On the cover: Anna Francesca “Frannie” Bianco Abad

This article – “Earthquake-Proof Structures: Are There Such Things?” – was written and published 26 years ago. Among the items I mentioned here are proposals for the upgrading of the National Building Code and the Structural Code of the Philippines. It was even endorsed by former PHIVOLCS Director Raymundo Punongbayan. Up to now, however, no upgrading has been done.

“.... There were flashes of lightning, noises, thunder, and a big earthquake – the worst earthquake that has ever happened since people have been on earth..... Then every island ran away, and mountains disappeared.” – Revelation 16:18 and 20, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

Math-O'Logics: The Factoring Path

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 897, November 11, 1988
On the cover: Revital Mor (Miss Israel and

1988 Miss Asia-Pacific Quest Second Runner-up)

On Math-O’Logics, solving Algebra problems by factoring, hence the subtitle “The Factoring Path.”

“Teach me Your ways, O LORD; make them known to me. Teach me to live according to Your truth, for you are my GOD, who saves me. I always trust in You.” – Psalms 25:4-5, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

Can the Living (Really) Communicate With the Dead?

MOD Filipina Vol. 22 No. 948, November 3, 1989
On the cover: Maria Lourdes “Lou” Bunyi

Popular article theme on Holloween and All Saints’ Day are anything and everything associated with ghosts, spiritism, communicating with the dead. So, this too, I have rewritten several times. Foremost among the questions is “Can the Living (Really) Communicate with the Dead?”

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 21 No. 28, November 4, 1997
On the cover: Brad Pitt with Jennifer Aniston (inset)
 

A similar article as the one published in MOD Filipina November 3, 1989 issue (posted above), and in Celebrity World November 7, 1994 issue titled “Ghosts, Communicating with the Dead, are They for Real?” The article, “Is it Possible to Communicate with the Dead?” on the other hand, was first published in Prime Weekly Edition November 10, 1988 issue.

 

 

Also in this Mr. & Ms. November 4, 1997 issue is one of the more difficult crossword puzzles that I have made.

 

“For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all..... Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they have no portion anymore to time indefinite in anything that has to be done under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.