Playboy invades Philippine shore

American adult magazine Playboy has launched its first ever Philippine edition sans full-frontal nudity. This is the magazine's 25th international edition, which has been in circulation for more than 50 years ago.

Playboy's maiden issue was released in 1953, with the late American sex goddess Marilyn Monroe on the centerfold. On the other hand, the first Filipina to appear in the magazine is then starlet Marissa Delgado, but bold star Tetchie Agbayani is the first Filipina to pose on the cover of the magazine in the German edition of Playboy during the 80's.

The Philippine issue is designed to be tamer than other editions sold across the globe in order to avoid offending local sensibilities in the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia. [In fact, the first issue is even more tamer than Maxim and FHM. - The Chronicler]

The magazine is set to compete with "lad magazines" like FHM, Maxim, Uno, Playhouse, among others, targeting the slightly mature and more upscale male demographic.

The magazine will be banking on its artworks, articles and photography to make up for the loss of frontal nudity features, according to the local editor. In fact, four of the Philippines' top literary writers and a handful of topnotch photographers are among those on the roster of contributors to the local Playboy.

Meanwhile, Miss Earth 2004 winner Priscilla Meirelles was chosen by Playboy Philippines to be the cover girl of the magazine's maiden issue.

Playboy Philippines was officially launched Wednesday night (Apr. 2) at the luxurious Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.