New magazine to hit Saipan newsstands

Some untold stories are worth the telling.

Fueled by the thought of digging a chest-full of stories buried underneath the four corners of the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States, a California-based media company launches “P,” the magazine for readers that matter—everyone.

The new publication’s name “P” stands for a variety of interests, to include People, Places, Phases, Pacific, Paradise, and Politics, among others, according to its editor, Aldwin Fajardo. “We picked a name that would represent our target readers—P = People, meaning everybody—and the kind of subjects we want to discuss in the magazine.”

Published by California-based Aidem International Inc., “P” will hit Saipan newsstands this week, with its maiden issue touching on the private lives of three of the most influential men in the Northern Marianas today: Gov. Juan N. Babauta for politics, Bishop Tomas Camacho for faith, and Clarence Tenorio Jr. for business.

The magazine hopes to present a fresh look at the people, places and phases that define the Commonwealth’s political, economic and social landscapes—subjects and issues that are not normally discussed by the existing mainstream media companies in the Northern Marianas.

It also makes a bold attempt at bridging the gap between the Northern Marianas and the mainland United States by bringing the island way of life closer to the people of continental America by circulating a significant chunk of the magazine’s circulation initially in California. “P” has also committed itself to telling the stories of former CNMI residents who are now living in the US, featuring their successes and failures.

In the maiden issue, former Marianas Variety and Saipan Tribune reporter Marian Maraya tells how she managed to cope with the way of life in the busy and sometimes chaotic city of Los Angeles, California, sans the comfort of home and the security of being close to her family and friends.

“P” positions itself as a cutting edge publication that defies the boundaries of traditional journalism by encouraging readers to share their views—long letters or one-liners—through the Mailbox Section and other columns, similar to the popular “blog” on the Internet.

While the magazine strives to tell the untold stories of people, places and events that either have direct impact on or the interest of its readers, Fajardo said the main objective of “P” is to provide a venue for ordinary people to tell their stories “because we believe that every story is worth the telling.” (PR)