4079 Magazine breathes hope, rebirth in 'special iCommunicate edition'

Breaking the silent walls, “4079 Magazine” lies across the complexities of life: birth, death, and hope; becoming a torch of faith during its launch on March 3 at the Bea’s Events Place, Antipolo City.

Students from the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism 4-2N imbue each page of the 30th volume of iCommunicate with a sense of aspiration after sorrow, defiance of challenges, and highlighting Filipino values with its theme “Breaking and Becoming.” 

This year’s final volume brings forth a wave of emergence as it unveils a special copy by producing two covers named “Hope” and “Rebirth,” each showcasing opposite photoshoots—one of hope and grace, the other of fierce rebirth.

“In commemoration of our 10th anniversary, as the 30th volume of iCommunicate, we want to emphasize the beauty of endings and new beginnings,” Randolf Maala-Resueño, 4079 Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, said.

Crafted with deep artistry

“4079” is more than a set of numbers as it has values with deep significance. 

The  number ‘40’ represents the traditional practice of honoring the departed on the 40th day after death, marking the longing for loved ones lost and questioning the lived pain through the grief process.

Meanwhile, ‘7’ symbolizes the “7-minute theory,” a belief that before a person draws their last breath, they will have the chance to rewind all the fond memories in their entire life, encapsulating various emotions under seven minutes prior to brain death, reminding them that they were loved.

Finally, ‘9’ stands for the Filipino practice, predominantly among Catholics during mourning called “pasiyám,” a nine-day vigil where family members and friends gather at the place of the deceased to offer prayers and novenas, guiding the soul on its journey to the afterlife.

The creative storytelling never ends for “4079,” as it is compartmentalized into different themes: forty, seven, nine, and zero. 

Contents for each number align with the symbolism derived from Filipino beliefs and practices while adding “zero” as the ending section of the magazine to spark an idea of what it conveys and explore the concept, as Resueño puts it, “The number that seems to represent nothingness, emptiness. But what if it’s not about the absence? What if the zero connects us—the living and the dead?” 

Eternalizing the stories

4079 Magazine immortalizes the journey of breaking and becoming of Ymari Kristia Pascua, a mental health champion and advocate for the National Youth Commission (NYC), delivering talks across the world on mental health awareness; and Myx Chanel, a drag artist who competed in the third season of Drag Race Philippines, sharing their struggles and blooms through stages.

“From Chumpeng, a student from PUP, [and] Shawn, a closeted student from an all-boys Catholic school—rebirthed the Ymari Kristia, our mental health advocate, and then Myx Chanel, our Drag Queen,” as introduced by Gerie Marie Consolacion, 4079 Magazine’s Managing Editor.

iCommunicate adviser Prof. Jairo Bolledo shared that the cover of “4079” showed him that stories do not necessarily come from known personalities, but rather from relatable people who will speak their narratives.

“I am so happy [and] proud that you were able to put it off by highlighting stories of HIV and mental health. Those two are connected with death, those two are really taboo topics,” Bolledo said.

Genesis of an extraordinary work

Bolledo describes “4079 Magazine” as remarkable for having a special cover.

“It’s one of the most remarkable covers for the last years of iCommunicate — the last time that we did a special cover like this was during the 10th Volume of iCommunicate.”

iCommunicate is the official magazine of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) — College of Communication (COC), produced during the fourth year of journalism undergraduates and explores a wide range of themes and issues, integrating creativity and journalistic skills.