Myrza Sison returns to helm of 'Cosmopolitan' Philippines
MANILA, Philippines - When it was launched in 1997, Cosmopolitan Philippines set out to inspire the Filipina to live her own life and pursue her passions, under the leadership of Myrza Sison. This November, Sison comes full circle as she returns to Cosmopolitan Philippines after a six-year hiatus.
Sison has had a colorful career that has seen her become a systems analyst and computer programmer at SGV & Co., an international model, a fashion writer for The Philippine STAR, and fashion editor for Preview before becoming the editor in chief of Cosmopolitan.
“I was 29 when I started Cosmo, eager to help the New Pinay come into her own and live life on her own terms at a time when women were still very much conflicted between pleasing themselves and pleasing others, and when frank discussions about sexuality were still taboo,” Sison shares. “Cosmo armed young Pinays all over the country with all the information they needed to get through life from month to month through groundbreaking articles that delved deep into their hearts, minds and psyches.”
After bidding Cosmo farewell in 2005, Sison went on to spearhead the local edition of Marie Claire, and moved into the digital realm by becoming the editor in chief of SPOT.ph in 2009 and FemaleNetwork.com in 2010. “The online environment has taught me to always be on my toes and keep my eyes open and my nose for news sniffing away 24/7!” She continues to head both websites as she returns to Cosmopolitan this November.
Admitting that she has often found herself saying “I long for the leisurely days of print” during the past two years that she has been a website editor, Sison says, “I’ve forgotten how demanding of one’s time, energy and creativity the art of making magazines is… Also, because there seems to be more of an emotional connection between Cosmo and its thousands of readers, the creative process becomes extra special — but there’s also extra pressure from them to make sure they’re wowed every month so they keep coming back for more.”
Readers can expect revitalized fashion and beauty sections as the Cosmo team also welcomes Ana Kalaw as fashion director and Agoo Bengzon as beauty director. Kissa Castañeda also joins the team as lifestyle editor at large, promising more features on what’s hot, hip and happening every month. As Cosmo gears up for its 15th anniversary next year, Sison says, “You’ll see bigger, bolder and more bodacious new enhancements in the Cosmo Girl’s handbook on life.”
She adds: “Cosmo will make sure it meets the fun, fearless, female’s changing needs while still effectively addressing issues and concerns that have remained timeless through the years — such as love, relationships and heartbreak, her emotions and self-esteem, or being the best she can be despite all the new challenges in today’s world.”
As she prepares to shape the future of Cosmo, Sison looks back at her early years in the magazine and says, “In the years that I edited Cosmo from 1997 to 2005, along with my readers, I was also doing some self-discovery and growing up myself… Lots of things have changed in my life after six years of being away from Cosmo… I learned many new things along the way that I’m raring to share with the readers — even more ‘secrets’ and discoveries about love and life, and Cosmo is the perfect venue for this at just the right time!”
The November issue of Cosmopolitan features Carla Abellana on the cover, Cosmo’s 8 Sexiest Models of 2011, Top Models’ Beauty Secrets, a Sexiest Jeans Special, and more. Cosmopolitan is available in newsstands, bookstores, and supermarkets nationwide.
For more of Cosmo online, visit www.cosmo.ph, become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/cosmopolitan.ph), and follow them on Twitter (Twitter.com/cosmo_ph).
