HOLA INAUGURAL ISSUE OUT IN THE MARKET

The red carpet was set for the launch of the newest the country’s newest luxury lifestyle magazine. HOLA is all set to conquer the local readership with its uniquely glamorous take on entertainment, fashion and high society . The launching of HOLA was held at the Sofitel Hotel Manila last Sept. 5, 2013

The event was attended  by celebrities from showbiz and the high society

Gracing the cover of HOLA! Philippines’ September 2013 issue are none other than gorgeous celebrity sisters Anne and Jasmine Curtis-Smith. In an exclusive, glamorous 10-page spread, Anne proudly talks about how her little sister  is all grown up and coming into her own as a promising actress, while Jasmine reveals how she’s determined to exhibit the same drive and ambition as she follows the footsteps of her superstar sister.

Espousing the well-loved HOLA! tradition, HOLA! Philippines offers tasteful, carefully crafted stories and photos that give readers an exciting glimpse into the lives of the hottest celebrities and personalities, both local and international. Joining the Curtis-Smith siblings on the cover are Prince William and Kate Middleton with their newborn son, Prince George of Cambridge, in his first public appearance. Also featured in HOLA!’s pages are Belgium’s newly crowned King Philippe and Queen Mathilde in an emotional coronation ceremony; business scion Kevin Tan and Michelle See celebrating their union in a lavish, fun-filled wedding in Singapore; high-society sweetheart Natalia Zobel and friends jetting off to the magical Balesin Island in Quezon province, the newest playground of the rich and famous; a tour of Pedro and Gina Roxas’ idyllic Mediterranean-inspired Forbes Park home;  sports royalty Anton del Rosario and fiancée Samantha Richelle showing some love on the field; and many more. Meanwhile, for this issue’s profile stories, HOLA! catches up with Jerika Ejercito, whose bout with depression inspired her to set up the I Am The Issue Foundation that advocates mental health awareness; young racer Marlon Stöckinger, who’s on the road to becoming the first Filipino F1 driver; and boutique owner Joanna Preysler Francisco, who shares her age-defying secrets to living a healthy, happy life.

Having established itself as a trusted, reputable publication since 1944, HOLA! now invites Filipino readers to be a part of its illustrious legacy, which also includes HELLO! UK and several other international editions. Why name the Philippine franchise “HOLA!”? “It is more catchy and given our colonial history, something that is quite familiar and has recall with majority of Filipinos,” explains Publisher Paolo Manzano. On putting together HOLA! Philippines’ first issue, Editor-in-Chief Jose Mari Ugarte sums up the experience in one word: EXHILARATING. “Because that word means exciting, thrilling, stimulating, elating, animating, invigorating, and making joyful–and all those words described the process of creating the premiere issue,” he says. Joining Ugarte in the HOLA! Philippines Editorial Team are Rorie Carlos-Manzano, Fashion and Beauty Director; Stephanie Zubiri, Lifestyle Editor; Stef Juan, Managing Editor; Kitchie Cruz, Online and Social Media Editor; Red de Leon, Art Director; Magic Liwanag, Photo Editor; and Myta Santiago, Editorial Assistant.

HOLA!’s global appeal is rooted in one thing: “Our unique and simple proposition, which is that life is beautiful and that everyone should be celebrating this,” says Manzano. Lighthearted and wholesome, its people-centered style of reportage is both heartwarming and humorous, with just the right dose of trivia to tickle the reader’s fancy. “It’s a magazine about the celebration of life,” explains Ugarte, “where accomplished and successful people, who are both celebrated and know how to celebrate, invite us into their personal lives by telling us their stories, letting us into their homes, introducing us to their loved ones, and showing us how they enjoy their lives by allowing us to tag along on their holiday vacations, events, and parties.” At the same time, it’s a luxury magazine that has everything today’s stylish urban consumers would want to have and experience–from the latest fashion trends and designer accessories, to upscale dining, exclusive events and exotic travel destinations.

HOLA! Philippines offers a slice of the good life for only Php 160. HOLA! is available in both print and digital editions, within Metro Manila and in key provincial retail outlets. Digital subscriptions are available via the Zinio app for only $34.99/year; for print editions, e-mail subscriptions@holamag.ph. Follow HOLA! Philippines on Twitter and Instagram (@holamagph), join the conversation on Facebook (#holamagph), or visit www.holamag.ph.

My red carpet shot

About La Revista Publications, Inc.

La Revista Publications, Inc. is a joint venture of Maricris Cardenas Zobel and Valeria Cavestany Aboitiz, established in 2012 with the purpose of producing first-class magazines in the Philippines. Its flagship publication is HOLA! Philippines, the 15th international edition of the HOLA! Spain / HELLO! UK franchise. Its office is located at Unit B2-E, 2/F Bldg. B Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave. Extension, Makati, Metro Manila 1231.