AS 2024 comes to an end, digital news organization RepublicAsia takes a look back at all it has accomplished following its second anniversary last November 5th.
One such accomplishment is putting a spotlight on local talent, whether that be in the realm of business, culture, journalism, or entertainment, through its digital magazine, “Future Forward”.
Centered on the interests of the new generation and created by RepublicAsia’s CEO, Bran Reluao, “Future Forward” was created as an avenue for self-expression and creativity, as well as a cultivation of one’s personality.
It helps people to get to know local talents more, whether they be known or unknown. With “Future Forward”, RepublicAsia hopes to share with the masses the platforms, values, and creative processes of these individuals in the hopes of inspiring the new generation.
As it celebrates two years of sharing the stories of the masses, RepublicAsia takes a look back at the people “Future Forward” has featured thus far.
Higlighting Filipino culture
“Future Forward” heralds not only specific people but the country’s culture as a whole, as well. Its December issue for 2023, “A GenZified Manila: From Binondo to Malate”, for example, takes a look at how certain destinations in Manila have turned into places that Gen Zs often frequent, whether it be for hanging out, taking photos, or spending special occasions.
This issue in particular focuses on the beauties of Binondo, Intramuros, and Malate, including photos of these aesthetically pleasing places as well as interviews from Gen Zs themselves as they talk about why they frequent them.
Another aspect of the Philippines that RepublicAsia has talked about in the past is its booming nightlife, filled with varying manners of enjoyment perfect for any individual. “Future Forward”, during its September issue for 2023, was entitled “Nightlife: A beacon of hope and freedom for the new generation”.
Here, RepublicAsia interviewed four people who take advantage of the nightlife to pursue their dreams: writer-slash-rollerskater Saku, student-slash-fliptop-rapper Hespero, student-slash-DJ Kobeast, and student-slash-drag-queen Eliza.
Through these four, it can be seen that the country’s nightlife has turned into an avenue for the new generation to explore their identities, and to be free from the expectations they may have to live up to during the day.
As per writer Joshua Gerona: “The true self emerges like a dazzling comet during the nightlife.”
It also looks at how traditions and culture in the country have changed, particularly in terms of family. The May 2024 issue of the magazine, “The new generation mothers”, featured Millenial Chara Magallanes and Gen Z Jezreel Galboso, mothers of the new generation.
Here, writer Joshua Gerona discussed how the lives of these women have changed since becoming mothers, how they dealt with the challenges that accompanied it, as well as how they hoped to redefine the country’s parenting culture, breaking away from the generational cycle of trauma and abuse.
Supporting local music
Filipino music has long been at par with that of global talents, and RepublicAsia hopes to prove just that as it features Filipino artists on its covers for Future Forward.
The October 2023 issue of “Future Forward”, for example, featured beloved P-pop group Alamat for “Next in line: Up-and-coming artists taking the center stage”.
Here, Alamat discussed their growth in the P-pop scene, as well as their being the first-ever multilingual and multiethnic Filipino boy group, able to sing in up to seven local languages.
They talked about the hardships they underwent during training, as well as their goal to promote Filipino culture in any way that they can.
It doesn’t just stop with Alamat, though. RepublicAsia also interviewed the talented men of the P-pop group, 1st.One, taking a look at their rebirth as they entered a new era of their renaissance.
They shared here their dreams to have a long-lasting legacy, as well as to inspire others – dreams that aren’t at all far from what RepublicAsia hopes to achieve with “Future Forward”, among its other endeavors.
Empowering profilers
“Future Forward” is also known to interview the best and brightest of the industry – those working hard to let Filipino excellence shine through on a global level.
One such example is featured in the April 2024 issue of the magazine, “The winning edge: Richard Juan on being a producer, CEO, and actor”.
Actor-host-turned-producer Richard Juan discussed how he wanted to enter the world of business since he was a child, taking a huge leap of faith when he started his own production company, 28 Squared Studios.
He talks in-depth to RepublicAsia regarding his numerous business ventures thus far, as well as how he was able to become such an influential figure in the entertainment industry.
Through the creation of his production company, he hoped to celebrate and present Asian narratives on the big screen to make way for cross-cultural films.
“My aim is to tell stories that resonate with real-life, — let it be romance, drama, or any genre — where Asia is not merely a backdrop but a vibrant character in its own story,” he said.
In September 2024, RepublicAsia’s cover featured musician, actor, and record label owner James Reid, taking a look into his feelings about being one of the Filipinos invited to Paris Fashion Week, in “James Reid makes waves at Paris Fashion Week: A Filipino force in global fashion”.
More than this, he also talked about his journey thus far in the Filipino entertainment industry, moving from starring in teleseryes and romantic comedy films to owning his record label, “Careless Music Manila”.
Like many other artists, James hopes to highlight Filipino excellence on a global scale, as seen with his use of the language in his music and in wearing only local designers to Paris Fashion Week.
Uplifting advocacies
More than anything, “Future Forward” is about giving people a platform to share their message to the world.
Perhaps one of its most iconic features to date is its issue for August of 2023: “The 50 New Plaridels: Student journalists fighting for truth on second National Press Freedom Day”.
Here, RepublicAsia highlights the importance of the emergence of journalists from the new generation; no matter your age, it is never too early to start advocating for press freedom.
In this ambitious cover, 50 campus journalists from different schools were featured, labeled the torchbearers of truth.
“The fight for truth has been a long endeavor in the country, with many journalists putting their lives at risk to produce sound and truthful narratives for the people,” Gerona wrote.
It is, thus, the responsibility of the new generation to combat fake news and misinformation in any way that they can.
RepublicAsia also advocates for the voices of the LGBTQ+ community heard, as shown in their June 2024 cover featuring TikTok star Queen Mathilda Airlines, who often goes viral for her funny pole-spinning videos.
Her feature was titled “TikTok star Mathilda Airlines, the new queer voice for the people”.
Mathilda fights to share her advocacies on her platform, making her a queer voice for the people, as she fights for the rights of those within her community.
One such example of this is advocating for the passing of the SOGIE Bill to protect the rights of every Filipino no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Another is the June special issue this year, which featured the house of the Golden Bekis, consisting of LGBTQ+ members who were either abandoned by their families or left to escape from discrimination.
This organization turned a small parlor into a home for the elderly LGBTQ+ community, growing from ten members to over 30 around Metro Manila.
Their story, featured in “Remembering the ‘forgotten rainbows’: The house of ‘Golden Bekis’”, highlights the importance of community, particularly for those marginalized in society today.
And of course, RepublicAsia is also an ally to women, advocating for equality regardless of gender.
For their issue in March of 2024, they interviewed journalist Jacque Manabat, photographer Gail Geriane, singer-songwriter Angela Ken, CEO of “Hiraya Pilipina” Cleo Loque, and fashion designer Yana Kalaw, in the issue “Women on top: Filipina reclaiming spaces, breaking barriers”.
Here, RepublicAsia celebrates National Women’s Month by highlighting the careers and lives of these different women from varying backgrounds, who are all working to help give the next generation of women better lives free from discrimination and patriarchal violence.
The last issue of Future Forward was released in September 2024.
With the bright stars that have been featured thus far, the RepublicAsia team cannot wait to reveal who will be on its next cover, as well as to continue to feature the best of the best within the local scene.
