Meet the new Lifestyle Inquirer
On Sept. 10, my sister-in-law Ria Prieto introduced the new Lifestyle Inquirer in Open House World, Makati. It was absolutely packed, surrounded by faces of friends, partners, colleagues, and collaborators, all there to celebrate the section’s new chapter.
New look, new direction
There’s a lot to be excited about for the new Lifestyle Inquirer. It promises more engaging and dynamic storytelling on the printed page and beyond. In fact, before the launch, these new pages have been circulating in print since July, and the stories the Lifestyle section has been running offer a refreshing insight into the way we live now.
Even the layout of the newspaper is a breath of fresh air, with a fresh layout featuring curated photos and spaces to let the words breathe.
The new Lifestyle Inquirer is in print every day, and each edition features different stories that cater to the many different lifestyles Filipinos enjoy today, whether it’s a keen interest in food, fashion, art, film, music, and more.
At the launch, we were all able to meet the new columnists of the section. Ria talked about this exciting new direction, saying that at the core of Lifestyle Inquirer is intention. Each story, image, and page has been meticulously put together by their innovative team of writers and creatives.
Voices that resonate on paper
This is so important and inspiring, especially in the face of the creative industry’s current challenges with AI-generated content. But Lifestyle Inquirer is making a statement: that human voices matter just as much. Through a carefully-selected roster of contributors, each one valued for being voices of authority in their respective fields, their voices resonate on paper.
There’s Bambina Olivares, curator at The Met, author, and founding member of Manila House. Her columns—full of sharp wit—are often the intersection of art and social commentary. Meanwhile, Sanj Licaros, founder of The Daily Butlery, shares her wealth of knowledge and experience in the realm of service, etiquette, and home management. Sanj trained at The International Butler Academy in the Netherlands, and her experiences in the service industry make for such insightful stories on how to make our own hosting at home more thoughtful.
Already-known names in the editorial scene, like Juana Yupangco and Candy Dizon, also join Lifestyle Inquirer’s roster of columnists. Juana brings her expertise as an advocate for local, plant-based cooking through her Mesa ni Misis platform that makes healthy eating affordable and accessible. Every week she shares recipes that can be done with ingredients that are so easy to find and come by.
On the other hand, Candy (who also designs jewelry for their family business, Jul B. Dizon), returns to the editorial scene with stories that provide insight into the experiences of women in their prime.
Rounding out Lifestyle Inquirer’s columnists are Mitch Felipe Mendoza, a licensed physical therapist, and lifestyle and fitness coach, along with Wanggo Gallaga, a teacher and filmmaker, who writes about an industry close to my heart, the film and theater scene.
In her column, Mitch shares detailed tips on improving our health and approachable ways for better fitness. Her insights are grounded by both science and her own experiences as a coach. Lastly, Wanggo, son of the late acclaimed director Peque Gallaga, takes us behind the scenes of some of the most interesting films and shows today.
Excited for what’s to come
Of course, the new Lifestyle Inquirer also features a number of fresh voices. Each issue is sure to cater to a variety of (or even spark new) interests. What’s also exciting about this new chapter is that many of their stories also find expressions in other formats, like video, which can be seen in their growing social media channels.
With these new and amazing writers, fresh ideas, and the paper’s bold, new look, I can’t wait to see more of this human and dynamic Lifestyle Inquirer. And I hope you’re here for the ride, too.
