The Philippine Star

The Philippine Star
Name	The Philippine Star
Type	Daily newspaper
Format	Broadsheet
Headquarters	Manila, Philippines
Founded	1986
Founder	Maximo Soliven; Betty Go-Belmonte; Art Borjal
Language	English

The Philippine Star is a major English-language broadsheet published in Manila, Philippines, established in 1986 during a period of political transition. It emerged alongside other Filipino publications such as Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and BusinessWorld, and has since covered national events including the administrations of Corazon Aquino, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Rodrigo Duterte, Benigno Aquino III, and Joseph Estrada. The paper is noted for reporting on Philippine politics, business, culture, and international relations, intersecting with institutions like the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Senate of the Philippines, House of Representatives of the Philippines, and regulatory bodies such as the National Telecommunications Commission.

History

Founded in the aftermath of the People Power Revolution that ousted Ferdinand Marcos and restored Corazon Aquino to the presidency, the newspaper was launched by veteran journalists who had ties to publications like Philippine Daily Express and The Manila Times. Its early coverage included the drafting of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, the withdrawal of United States Forces in the Philippines, and political crises such as coup attempts involving figures like Renato de Villa and Gregorio Honasan. Over ensuing decades the title covered presidential transitions from Fidel V. Ramos to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, reporting on events such as the Oakwood mutiny, the impeachment trial of Joseph Estrada, and the anti-corruption cases involving Juan Ponce Enrile and Rodrigo Duterte allies. The publication adapted through changes in print media observed in outlets like The Washington Post and The New York Times, facing competition from tabloids such as Abante and online portals like Rappler.

Ownership and Management

Ownership has included media personalities and business families interconnected with conglomerates such as the Belmonte family, with management often drawing executives and editors who previously served at ABS-CBN Corporation and GMA Network. Board memberships and executive appointments have linked the paper to figures from the Makati Business Club and corporate entities including Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company affiliates. Editors-in-chief and columnists have come from journalistic lineages tied to institutions like Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines Diliman, and the masthead has featured names active in organizations such as the National Press Club of the Philippines.

Editorial Profile and Content

The newspaper’s editorial pages have featured commentary from columnists with backgrounds in law and diplomacy, engaging with legal institutions like the Commission on Elections (Philippines) and foreign policy matters involving Association of Southeast Asian Nations diplomacy. Coverage spans national politics, finance reporting covering the Philippine Stock Exchange, cultural features on events at Cultural Center of the Philippines, and sports reporting tied to leagues such as the Philippine Basketball Association. The publication runs op-eds addressing legislative measures like the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and constitutional debates referencing the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, while lifestyle sections profile personalities linked to Miss Universe 2018 and entertainment figures associated with ABS-CBN Corporation and GMA Network productions. Editorial stances have at times intersected with controversies involving public officials such as Rodrigo Duterte and Marcos family members, reflecting broader media debates that also involve outlets like CNN Philippines and BBC News.

Circulation and Distribution

Print circulation traditionally concentrated in Metro Manila neighborhoods including Makati, Quezon City, and Pasig, and extended to provincial editions reaching regions such as Cebu, Davao City, and Iloilo City. Distribution channels mirrored those used by peers like Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer, relying on vendors, newsstands, and institutional subscriptions from entities like universities (University of Santo Tomas) and corporate offices in business districts such as Bonifacio Global City. Circulation figures were influenced by national events—elections like the 2016 Philippine presidential election and disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan—which drove temporary readership spikes common across Philippine newspapers.

Digital Presence and Multimedia

Like contemporaries Rappler and Inquirer.net, the paper developed a digital platform incorporating multimedia elements: online articles, photojournalism, video features, and social media engagement on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The digital strategy emphasized real-time reporting on beats including the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and produced multimedia packages on crises like the Marawi Siege and public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Collaboration with freelance journalists and wire services such as Agence France-Presse and Reuters supplemented coverage, while search and mobile optimization aligned with trends established by The New York Times and The Guardian.

Awards and Recognition

Journalists from the paper have received accolades from Philippine press organizations such as the National Press Club of the Philippines and awards recognizing investigative and feature reporting similar to honors given by the Pulitzer Prize in the United States, though locally administered awards include distinctions from the Catholic Mass Media Awards and the Rotary Club press prizes. Coverage of major national events earned citations in media analyses alongside reporting from ABS-CBN News and GMA News Online, and photographers were recognized for work depicting calamities and civic events at venues like Rizal Park and Malacañang Palace.

Category:Newspapers published in the Philippines Category:English-language newspapers