Amid much hype and controversy, the local edition of Playboy magazine was finally launched last night, with Miss Earth 2004 winner Priscilla Meirelles on the cover. It will hit the newsstands today, expecting brisk sales from curious Filipinos despite the lack of nudity - a trademark that has made its international counterparts famous.

But many are asking, why bother calling it Playboy if it does not contain nudity? Why spend all that money on licensing (I presume in the millions, plus royalties) when all you're going to come up with is a half-baked copycat? Playboy Philippines editor explains that "Playboy Philippines would feature Filipino women as “playmates” in the centerfold, but won’t show full frontal nudity or genitalia because that would run counter to Philippine business
and cultural considerations." Huh?

He then counters all the pessimism by promising great articles for the "mature" Filipino man, with many prominent local writers it its roll of contributors. But who reads Playboy for the articles anyway? Sure, some men might read the stories and features. But that's after they've had their fill of the naked girls! He he. If I want a good read, Playboy is definitely not on the top of my list. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Playboy has produced a lot of good reads but there are definitely better (much better) written pieces out there. And if there are no naked girls in it, many won't bother buying one. He he.

Still, others will say that a Philippine Playboy is worth his hard-earned peso despite endless rants from skeptics. Well, there's only one way to find out, buy the first issue and read the actual articles. Or let your imagination run wild on those almost naked girls. I'm sure many will do just that to satisfy their curiosity.

But one more thing bothers me. Shouldn't it have been a Filipina on the cover of the first issue of Playboy Philippines? (Images courtesy of monstersandcritics.com)

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Playboy Philippines is here (but it's not quite Filipino)!

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