The landscape of media has definitely changed. When the dotcom boom of the mid-to-late 1990s began, everyone predicted that the death of the print media was imminent. It is now 2016 and, indeed, everyone is turning to alternative means of communication and multimedia. Everyone has a social media account, a primary source of news for many. Everyone is on their handhelds and only wants to process bite-sized information, which is also why a lot of the material has been tailored to appeal to such preferences.
But Asian Dragon Magazine does not believe that everything can be reduced to a soundbyte or a 160-character tweet. Asian Dragon remains all about the details. It continues to offer in-depth reportage in a world that is increasingly short-form, setting an example of raw but proud journalism that is accurate, honorable, and presents only the truth.
Last August 30, 2016, Asian Dragon celebrated 10 years in the industry. In partnership with Makati Shangri-La Manila, the celebration, held at the hotel’s Rizal Ballroom, was packed with people who have been a part of Asian Dragon’s journey, as well as key people in the business, government, lifestyle, and social circles. Guests were treated to a sumptuous Lauriat by Makati Shangri-La’s culinary team, overflowing refreshments and cocktails by Destileria Limtuaco, a lechon degustacion courtesy of Dedet dela Fuente’s Pepita’s Kitchen, and a beautiful congratulatory cake by Penk Ching. All 52 covers of Asian Dragon, featuring the biggest names in the government and business, were displayed at the foyer of Rizal Ballroom.
The 10th year anniversary celebration also witnessed the launch of the book, A Decade of Dragons, a commemorative compilation of all the cover stories of Asian Dragon Magazine. Included in the book are the profiles and moving stories of personalities Eddie Gaisano; Cecilio Pedro and son Joel Pedro; Julius Limpe; Elvira Luym and daughter Kaye Luym, Helene Go and daughter Camille Go Uy, Nenita Ngo and daughter Hope Ngo; Alfredo Yao; Basilio Tan; Arthur Yap; Mother Lily and Kim Chiu; Washington Sycip; former Chief Justice Reynato Puno; Bernie Liu, Sheree Gotuaco, and Emelda Teng; Alfonso Uy; the 2010 presidentiables Benigno Aquino III, Joseph Estrada, Gilbert Teodoro, Manny Villar, and Francis Escudero; Joel Uichico and Bea Zobel Jr.; Lepeng Wee; Henry Chusuey; Corazon Dayro-Ong and son Jerome Ong; Manuel V. Pangilinan; Alfonso Lim; Robert Kuan; Ernest Cu; Elizabeth Lee; Jinkee Pacquiao; former President Benigno Aquino III; Ramon Ang; Joseph Yam; Josephin Gotianun Yap and Jonathan Gotianun; Zaldy Co; Emilio Yap; Baby Ragas; Jimmy Thai; Simeon Tiu; Ricky Razon; Sid Consunji; Senator Grace Poe; Yosi Tanco; David and Evelyn Lim; Nedy Tantoco and Anton Huang; Chris Tanco; Ding Wenceslao; Rikki Dee; Bobby Laurel and Peter Laurel; Cesar Virata, Gerardo Sicat, Cesar Bautista, and former Justice Florentino Feliciano; Wopsy Zamora; Jacques Branellec and Manuel Cojuangco; President Rodrigo Duterte; Mariquita Leung and son Martin Leung; Wilson Sy; Ed Rocha, Fernando Ortigas, and Jerrold Tarog; Eliza Antonino, Abba Napa, Jon Syjuco; the 2016 Presidentiables Jejomar Binay, Rodrigo Duterte, Grace Poe, Mar Roxas, and Miriam Defensor-Santiago; and Henry Lim Bon Liong.
“We have featured many of the country’s most prominent people in our cover stories, whether Chinoy or not, and we have strived to portray them as they are,” Asian Dragon’s Editor-in-chief Apa Ongpin writes in his Foreword for the book.
“Most of them have great minds; others have great charisma, as well, and all of them have been persons of interest. As an archive, this collection is a tremendous primary source of the nuances of leadership and the details of success in our still-new century. Some of the stories are inspirational, others instructional, still others simply remarkable. They are all good reads, even years later. These are stories of greatness, not just in the context of Filipino society, but in the wider sphere of human achievement.”
Indeed, Asian Dragon has become more than just a magazine. It has become a brand—the brand behind a well-told, current, and gripping story. And this brand promises to continue bringing people together by marrying cultures, transcending differences, challenging norms, and reporting the truth.
“It is on such special occasions, when we celebrate important milestones, that we are reminded of the very reason we’re here and motivated, no matter how difficult the process may be, to keep going and improving,” says Asian Dragon’s publisher Olivia Limpe-Aw. “It is our mission to bring you great stories as they are told by great people, and in doing so, achieve our vision to inspire people to succeed and contribute to the development of our nation.”
It has been 10 years. Asian Dragon Magazine’s story continues.
