It is March and we know what this means, it’s FHM’s anniversary. They are turning 11 this year, like a kid experiencing puberty had the magazine been a real person. We all remember that phase in our lives- awkward voice, things popping out of our skins, hair growing here and there, and some skin and blood being moved out of our systems and all that jazz. But FHM is not like us humans. And this 11th year marker of this magazine is anything but awkward.
What do we have here? Oh, it’s a lucky horse kissing this month’s cover muse, the multi-hyphenated (READ designer, make-up artist, model, singer, Survivor finalist, painter, product endorser, movie star, soon-to-be TV star, It Girl….) Solenn Heussaff. The timing for her much anticipated FHM appearance couldn’t have been more perfect. After her stint in Survivor Philippines, she has captured the hearts of the Filipino masses despite the ‘socialite’ tag given to her by the said reality show. The public asked craved for more of Solenn. Although she has been a hot item for the longest time now, it is the mass appreciation brought about by Survivor Philippines that made her the next big thing on the local tinsel town.
COVER
I think this is the second time that the magazine used translucent color for their logo. (the first one was for Ehra Madrigal’s ‘white’ cover for June 2008)
That’s my only observation (MML). You be the judge.
LAYOUT
There are minor changes (or is there only one?) on the layout. Thankfully it’s the table of contents that they changed. It is less confusing now. (Wait, who reads the table of contents anyway?)
COVER STORY
Lucky horses. Lucky, lucky horses. Solenn, being the refined lady that she is, smoldered on the pages of FHM. Her shoot made up for the (somehow) lack of spark of last year’s anniversary issue cover shoots. Kudos to the photographer, the stylist and the make-up artist for the classy photos we are enjoying. Kudos to the FHM team for yet another classy photoshoot. Solenn was indeed polished to perfection for this one.
I can’t help but smile while reading Solenn’s interview. I can imagine her speaking whenever she was quoted in Filipino. She talked about her career plan, her Survivor experience, her passions, her life before the stardom and she managed to clarify some misconceptions about her and her lifestyle.
She truly heated up the 11th year of FHM with her cowgirl/equestrienne themed photos. She managed to show enough to ignite our thoughts while keeping some to tickle our imaginations. Plus her tattoos are hot.
Check out some of the behind the scenes photos of her pictorial:
PS. I have a strong feeling that Ms. Heussaff has a BIG chance of topping this year’s sexiest list. LET’S DO IT!
*I love the transition from Solenn’s warm hued photos to Paloma’s photos in cooler hues. It’s rad.
FEATURED BABES
It is March and we know what this means, it’s summer time. Aptly so, FHM did their Bikini Special this month (they did last year’s on their May issue). I liked this year’s Bikini Special because they featured girls with tanner complexions (some of them are Filipinas). Last year, the bikini special featured more white chicks (although I have nothing against them, it’s just that bikinis look better on tanned skin).
I also commend FHM for doing the photo shoots around the Philippines. They shot FHM favorite Paloma and car show model Shanna Solideo on the shores of Baler in Aurora Province. The shores of Subic, Zambales became witness to Australian-Pinay Richelle Prickett’s and Brazilian Model Ana Corado’s bikini-clad bodies. Jenny posed along the shores of her hometown Davao and Cebu’s Aireen Estel, in her bikini, posed in one of the Queen City of the South’s A-list resorts (Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort). Not to forget Australia’s bet, Half Filipina Shiralee Coleman.
Other girls featured were Incoming babe, Lae Lusung and March GF Janna Tiangco (it’s kinda disappointing that they reduced the GF’s photos to two, again.)
PLUS Sam Pinto’s San Mig Light ad is there again. 🙂
FEATURED READS
Among the featured articles this month are 60 driving tips, Extreme Sportsmen, Vanity for Men, Dog Breeds and the Death of ‘Pinoy Rock ‘n Roll.
I liked the article about the dogs because it gave everything an aspiring dog owner needs to know. From the behavior, health, intelligence, price and the impact it will give the ladies.
The article on the ‘Death’ of ‘Pinoy rock ‘n roll caught my interest even though I am not a big fan of the genre. It managed to tell how everything started, from underground to mainstream, the impact of NU’s downfall, the signing of indie bands for major record labels and how the genre is slowly losing pace with pop music, which is more appreciated by the majority.
EXTRAS
*or my queries*
- So Pauline So is the ‘real’ Premiere Vixen. Whatever happened to Christine and Karen?
- What is the font name of the ones used for the Bikini portion?
- How about the one used for Solenn?
- Why is this issue worth every peso spent?
- Will I ever get answers to my questions?
*images courtesy of fhm.com.ph and Solenn Heussaff’s Twitter page
Mental Domain 
