final editor's note for HIPP

This is HIPP’s last issue.

That’s the only way I can say it. Straight up, no drama. The only way fitting to an audience we respect and owe much to.

We were informed of the shut down last December. It was my parents’ 38th year anniversary, a day after my twins had turned six, and on that surreal Friday afternoon, I learned I had lost a magazine I had started from scratch.

Can’t blame anyone, though. Across the globe, print publications have been shutting down. “Elle Girl.” “Cookie” (on which I pegged HIPP). “Gourmet” (the oldest food title in the US). More. It was inevitable that the recession and sorry ad sales catch up with us.

Or maybe, just maybe, I thought as I let myself go and cry a few tears in front of my boss, the country just isn’t ready for a magazine like HIPP.

Readers who have followed us since day one know why and how this magazine came to be. I felt Filipino parents needed something new, a publication that spoke to them about the changing dynamics of Filipino families (single, expat, and in absentia parenthood; paradigm shifts in child-rearing, health, and education; the many more opportunities available for making an income). A publication for the Gen X parent—that curious and strongly opinionated mix of ex-punks and ex-yuppies who have the world at their fingertips, their parents’ values deeply rooted in their psyche, and who are equipped with the exposure (via books, dialogue, and travel) and manner of critical thinking that empower them to go against tradition, if called for.

For the birth of HIPP in March 2009, I have to thank Sesame Seed Creatives’ publisher, Marbee Go, the first person I thought of calling when pitching the idea. Her support and generosity as both colleague and friend will remain unmatched anywhere I go—and that’s no bulls**t.

For my team, I chose only the best: Em Guevara, a colleague from way back (“The Business Daily”-way back, that’s how far we go), to act as managing editor. I wouldn’t have been able to survive the past year if it weren’t for her persistence, attention to detail, almost maternal concern for our staff, and never-ending good humor to balance out my quick temper.

With her, she brought Tricia, Irene, and Angelo. We’re very proud of Tricia, who we’ve seen blossom from a writer, to someone confident enough to plan out her own pages and handle even the most difficult of contributors. Irene’s gained some bite, too, having to deal with both internal and external suppliers, and by doing so has amassed a network that I’m certain will be valuable outside HIPP. It’s likewise been a gift to see Angelo grow. From an artist uncertain of his work, he’s learned swiftly—from layout to directing visuals to being adept with the production process. He moves on to sister publication “Garage” as its artist beginning this month.

And what of me, Em, Tricia, and Irene? We’ll be busy packing up things in the office, keeping lovely memories in boxes, chucking unneeded ones in the trash. The question of going online is still, well, up in the air. Time and budget permitting, we’ll be able to put the site up in a month or so.

A week after the news, I suddenly felt like everything I know had been pulled out from under me (a delayed reaction, I know). We love this magazine; we love putting it together for you. As my good friend Red Constantino says, leaving stings, but you can throw some mint and sugar in it and mix it like a mojito.

With that, I raise my glass to you, dear reader, for being with us these past nine issues. For one last time, I invite you to turn the page, and see this love leap up to you from every word and image.

Till our next reincarnation.

Cheers.