MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Philippine Airlines (PAL) has relaunched Mabuhay Magazine, its flagship inflight publication, with the release of its Homecoming Issue (October–December 2025).
The launch event was held at Blackbird, the former Nielson Tower and site of Manila’s first airport control tower.
PAL executives, contributors, partners, and media attended the unveiling, which marked Mabuhay’s return to onboard circulation. Guests were served a curated menu by Blackbird, featuring refined interpretations of familiar Filipino flavors, accompanied by a lounge set by singer-songwriter Mike Constantino and his band Conscious & the Goodness, whose modern Filipino sound provided the soundtrack for the event.
In his remarks, Lucio C. Tan III, President & CEO of PAL Holdings, highlighted the magazine’s renewed editorial mission.
“This Homecoming Issue offers a window into what makes the Philippine identity unique and home to many — featuring a curated mix of legacy and contemporary voices, from reflections on Filipino life and the holiday table to stories of memory, innovation, and return,” Lucio said.
The publication is led by Editors-in-Chief Pauline Suaco-Juan and Erwin Romulo, who outlined their direction for the relaunch.
Pauline is a veteran editor and creative-industry leader known for championing Filipino talent and design, having previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Preview and Executive Director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). Erwin, for his part, is an award-winning writer and creative director whose multidisciplinary work across publishing, film and music — including as founding Editor-in-Chief of Esquire Philippines — has long contributed to shaping contemporary Philippine culture.
“To celebrate Mabuhay’s return, our stories are about homecoming — all the different ways we come back to the Philippines,” the editors noted.
Speaking to adobo Magazine, Erwin added, “Mabuhay aims to give a magazine encompassing the 7,641 islands and embracing the ones all over the world, from Woodside, NY to Pinneberg, Germany.”
The cover of the Homecoming Issue, illustrated by Raxenne Maniquiz, pays tribute to National Artist Lauro “Larry” Alcala and his iconic “Slice of Life” series. Raxenne is an internationally recognized Filipino illustrator celebrated for her richly detailed portrayals of Philippine flora and fauna, and has collaborated with leading global creative brands — making her visual voice a fitting symbol for Mabuhay’s renewed vision of cultural pride and global presence.
The issue features contributions from Larry Alcala (+), Doreen Fernandez (+), Philbert Dy, Rica Buenaflor, Iya Forbes, Mark Nicdao, and other cultural and creative figures.
With its return, Mabuhay reestablishes itself as a platform for Philippine travel, culture and storytelling for both domestic and international audiences — honoring the spirit of homecoming, and the creativity that connects Filipinos wherever in the world they may be.
