03/06/2022
The Grand Launching of Aspire Magazine Philippines headed by Aspire Ph CEO & President, Ayen Castillo; Franz Johnson Garcia (Editor-in-Chief, Aspire Ph); and Jolie Navia (COO, Aspire Ph) was held with a thriving presence of inspiring personalities, fashion designers, photographers, hair and make-up artists, models, and abundant media and brand sponsors at Matrix Event Center, Quezon City last May 22, 2022.
The event was led by Aspire Magazine Philippines cover, “Ang Supremo ng Dance Floor, Klinton Start”, in The Rising of the White Dragon. Together with the executives are Ann Malig Dizon (PH and US Consultant); Liana Gonzales (CEO of House of Mode Elle); Haye Start, Lyn de Leon, Laiza Hortalezo (Consultants); Tom Simbulan (PH Director); Russel Navia (HMUA Aspire); Ysabella Alberto (USA Ambassador, Queen of Aspire Adults); Princess Lia (Aspire Host, Queen of Aspire Teens, Aspire World Ambassador); Rajan Paguio, Jeremy Peter, Gelo Miclat (Aspire Technical Group and Royalties); Elizabeth Sarzosa, Samantha Domingo, Anastasia Mitchell, Hannah Navales Althea Tordil and John Joshua Lopez (Aspire Jr. Staffs).
The success of the event was graced by the presence of Parañaque District 1 Councilor Jomari Yllana and Actress Abbby Viduya. Simultaneously with the launching, the inspiring personalities from the industry who received distinguished recognition were Zyrill Jacinto, Rodell Salvador, Jillian De Guzman, Winchelle De Castro, Jorick Limpag, Lovanne Lubaton Gallo, Shelle Hunt, Dr. Jen Ortiz, Dr. Paul Ortiz, Dr. Annaliza Boras, Brenda Domato, John Fontanilla, Dennis A. Nietes- Nix Dhe, Djhoana M. Rington, Arlene Poyaoan Galvez, Priclla Estadola Dacoco, Jerry Lowigie S. Cac, Princess Hyacinth Maralit, Maria Coleen Macabuhay, Leah Chua, Ryan Straw, Reymart Cris E. Trawon, Gerald Dangca, Robert Flavius ​​E. Dulce, Trevor Catacalan, Laiza Hortaleza, and Elsie Delos Reyes.
The event was thrilled with the announcement of the newest official Aspire Ambassadors and Ambassadresses followed by the crowning of the Aspire Royalties led by Klinton and Ysabella (Aspire King & Queen Adult); Marianne & Jeremy (Aspire Queen Pre-Adult & Aspire King of Water); Princess & Rajan (Aspire Queen Teens & Aspire King of Fire); Alexa Lalamunan (Aspire Queen Pre-Teens); Marcene Bermundo (Aspire Queen Kids); Jerviz Baleon (Aspire King of Earth); Jan Evan Gaupo (Aspire King of Air); Christian Collado Jade (Aspire King of Jade); Sammie Al-Ajarmeh (Aspire King Pre-Teens); and Lance Vladimir (Aspire King Kids).
Doubling the celebration was the introduction of Aspire Magazine Global cover, “The Little Ms. Universe 2021, Marianne Bermundo”, in The Return of the Phoenix.
Back in 2020, with the thoughts of AN AVANT-GARDE VISION PATTERNED TO THE REBIRTH- a vision of the Late Fashion Designer Rocky Gathercole, ASPIRE was made in a small room during the pandemic. This was where the first-ever issue of Aspire Magazine Philippines was created. While other top fashion magazines around the world were born in offices and lavish apartments, the team of Aspire started working in an empty room with no air condition. They did have a rotary phone and often, dogs would keep the member's company outside the windows. It’s amazing to think that a brand, a highly stylish and influential one, currently attracts more than millions of readers, had such humble beginnings.
Aspire started with the visionary and Founder Ayen Castillo who was inspired by Vogue, an international women’s magazine, while he was still a student taking his master’s degree in nursing at the University of Santo Tomas. From there on, he dedicated his life to bringing the Philippines its first 604-pages glossy community and advocacy magazine.
It was 2020 when the height of the global pandemic crisis is increasing, leaving the country on 2 years lockdown due to the Covid-19 spread, Ayen would even have to transfer the whole production process slowly because of a shortage in stocks of the printing papers and inks, lockdowns which resulted in the closing of printing companies, and fears from a ton of other printing matters back to the pandemic. Yet, the publication’s first issue boldly entered society with an oversized masthead and Filipino young Model Klinton Start wearing a Rocky Gathercole and Jorick Limpag on the cover. It was defiant, powerful and most importantly, it was the first time Filipino Young Aspirants were in the forefront of mass media in the thick cover of ASPIRE MAGAZINE PHILIPPINES in times of pandemic- The Thickest Magazine in Asia and Middle East.
ASPIRE MAGAZINE, is an all-inclusive brand aimed at all sizes, ages, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations. Our belief is that everyone who loves fashion and beauty should feel included and be inspired. ASPIRE MAGAZINE is a sophisticated brand that inspires and empowers fashion and beauty lovers to try new things, be informed on the latest news, icons in Fashion and entertainment, focus on their whole being, social interactive news and trends, lifestyle, advocacy, and be their best selves. Alongside the Youth Development, Aspire Magazine platform focuses on the following advocacies: Fashion; Entertainment; Bullying; Health; Love and Belongingness; Safety and Security; Economical Success; Culture and Tradition; Global Competitiveness; Beauty and Wellness; Fitness; Global Change; Education; Tourism; Environment; Politics; Mental Health; Cancer; Music; Sports; World of Dances; Earth Hour; Spiritual Awareness; Animal Welfare; Gender Equality; Youth Development; Land and Transportation; International Adversity and Ethnicity; and Women and Children’s Right.
In the upcoming Aspire Magazine Global, we are glad to accept applications for the new sets of inspiring personalities to be featured in the making of the 1000-pages, aiming the record to be the Thickest Magazine in the world!
Our whole team is looking forward that you have enjoyed reading our masterpiece and we thank you for the usual support and love that you bestowed on us!
Franz Johnson Garcia
Editor-in-Chief, Aspire Magazine Philippines
