@WE LCOME / EDITOR'S LET T ER
Hello and welcome to The Philippines Magazine's
There are an estimated 12 million Filipinos in the "Fili-
inaugural Issue!
pino Diaspora" around the world, and wherever you find
Filipinos, you'll find the shared sense of identity through
I am proud to share with you my passion for the Filipino
our food, music, art and traditions. While our adaptabil-
culture, traditions and especially our homeland, in the
ity is amazing and while we are experts at acclimating to
Philippines Magazine.
wherever we land, in being so adaptable sometimes we
lose sight of the inspiring beauty and the r/evolutions
As a US born, second generation Filipina-American, I'd
going on in our homeland. Sometimes we don't think
been to the Philippines as a child, but it was only
about our fellow Filipinos or our country unless someone
recently, in 2003 that I experienced the Philippines for
like Pacquiao or Charice or some other Pinoy or half-
the first time through the eyes of an adult. What I discov-
Pinoy hits Western mainstream media success.
ered was a modern nation, a rich culture, beautiful
people, music, art, traditions ­ all the things I didn't
Traditions and values are evolving, and a new genera-
necessarily take for granted when I was young ­ I just
tion of technologically proficient, globally educated, and
never knew about them. I fell in love with the country my
entrepreneurially-minded Filipinos is emerging. The Phil-
parents and grandparents left behind. I saw the possi-
ippines Magazine wants to document that emergence.
bilities of building a life, a career and a business there.
We aim to show the world at large all the reasons why
When I returned to the U.S., I came back with what I
the Philippines should be seen as a treasured travel
called "the Balikbayan High." I'd had a taste of life in
destination, to introduce investors and entrepreneurs to
the Philippines, and I couldn't wait to return.
the fertile business possibilies, and to remind Filipinos
all over the world why the country previous generations
One of my desires is for this magazine to inspire pride in
left behind to pursue better opportunities, is now a place
our country and our culture, to incite the longing, the
we can return to cultivate and manifest our dreams.
desire and the hunger to visit the Philippines. We want to
promote the Philippines not just to Filipinos, but to all
I look forward to sharing more discoveries, passions and
travelers who seek destinations of natural beauty,
inspirations with you in this and all our upcoming issues.
cultural abundance, modern convenience and afford-
able luxury. The Philippines Magazine aims to create an
Dedicated to our mutual arising,
accessible bridge for mutual empowerment, inspiration
and entrepreneurship between U.S.-based Filipinos and
CARMEN LEILANI DE JESUS
our kababayan in the Philippines.
Editor-in-Chief, Managing Partner
The Philippines Magazine International
THEPHILIPPINESMAGAZINE.COM
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SPRING 2011 8