After a five-year hiatus, Mabuhay Magazine, the flagship inflight publication of Philippine Airlines (PAL), is officially back on board. The award-winning travel and lifestyle magazine returns with its October–December 2025 “Homecoming Issue,” marking a symbolic comeback that celebrates both the nation’s post-pandemic recovery and PAL’s ongoing transformation as it enters its 85th year.
The relaunch of Mabuhay Magazine was held earlier tonight at Blackbird at the Nielson Tower, a fitting venue rich with aviation history and cultural significance. Once home to the Nielson Airport, Asia’s very first airport and the birthplace of Philippine commercial aviation, the restored art deco building now stands as a heritage landmark in the heart of Makati. Hosting the event there was symbolic — it marked not only the return of Philippine Airlines’ iconic inflight magazine after a five-year hiatus but also a celebration of the nation’s enduring aviation legacy. Within the walls that once served as Manila’s air traffic control tower in the 1930s, guests, editors, and aviation enthusiasts gathered to honor both the past and the future of Filipino air travel storytelling.
First published in the 1960s, Mabuhay Magazine has long served as a window into Filipino culture, destinations, and hospitality for millions of travelers. Its publication was halted after the March 2020 issue when the COVID-19 pandemic grounded much of the world’s air travel and forced airlines, including PAL, to streamline operations. The magazine’s five-year pause mirrored the turbulence the aviation and tourism industries faced globally.
Now, the magazine returns with renewed purpose, featuring a refreshed editorial direction and a theme that resonates deeply with Filipinos worldwide — coming home. The “Homecoming Issue” focuses on the many ways people reconnect with the Philippines, whether as balikbayans rediscovering their roots, locals revisiting familiar places, or tourists drawn to the country’s warmth and natural beauty.
According to PAL, the relaunch of Mabuhay Magazine symbolizes the flag carrier’s broader efforts to reconnect with passengers through storytelling and shared cultural experiences. The new issue departs from the traditional “top destinations” format, instead offering reflective features that explore the meaning of travel in a post-pandemic world. Readers can expect essays and photo essays highlighting local communities, lesser-known attractions, and human stories that capture the spirit of homecoming. The magazine also showcases Filipino creativity through world-class photography, design, and editorial craftsmanship — hallmarks that once earned Mabuhay recognition at the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards.
The relaunch comes as PAL undergoes a brand refresh and service upgrade, including cabin retrofits, network expansion, and digital enhancements. The return of Mabuhay complements these efforts by reestablishing a tangible connection with passengers in-flight, an experience that goes beyond screens and service.
As the “Homecoming Issue” lands in seat pockets across the airline’s global fleet, Mabuhay Magazine reaffirms its place not just as a publication, but as part of PAL’s legacy of hospitality and national pride. For many passengers, opening its pages during a flight will feel like revisiting an old friend, a reminder that, at 35,000 feet, home is never too far away.