PhilSTAR L!fe names Brooke Villanueva as head editor alongside Camille Santiago
Two is better than one for PhilSTAR L!fe as Brooke Villanueva has been named head editor alongside current chief Camille Santiago.
Villanueva began in the new position on Oct. 1, after previously serving as the lifestyle publication's Deputy Editor.
"My promotion to Head Editor is more than just a dream come true. Beyond it being an incredible opportunity, I also see it as a strengthened commitment to providing more value to our readers and further contributing to the growth of the title with the entire team," she said.
"Exactly four years ago, I joined PhilSTAR L!fe as a writer. I have since been able to chase stories, learn new things, and share my knowledge with others with pure enthusiasm. With this new role, I’m happy to still be able to do the same things that make my heart sing, and this time, lead the work with our current head, Camille Santiago, who has been one of my mentors since I was an intern," Villanueva added.
New chapter
For her part, Santiago said that L!fe can expect "exciting changes" with Villanueva as Head Editor.
"Her ideas will help the website stay fresh and relevant," she said.
Santiago has known Villanueva since the latter was an intern at Chalk Magazine.
"Even then, she was incredibly hardworking, eager to learn, and remarkably focused. What's always impressed me is her ability to balance work with a healthy enjoyment of life outside the office," she shared.
"Her discerning eye for stories and her unwavering commitment to quality have been invaluable assets to our team. Watching her grow into the talented editor she is today has been inspiring."
With two head editors, Santiago added that their collaboration could lead to a more diverse range of content and a deeper connection with L!fe's audience.
"Brooke has been an integral part of PhilSTAR Life since its launch in 2020. I have seen her remarkable growth through the years—from being a gifted writer to a highly effective deputy editor—and I couldn't be more thrilled that she's embarking on this new chapter with us," said L!fe Publisher Sheila Paras.
"I am confident that Brooke will continue to shine in her new role as Head Editor," Paras ended.
With her new role, Villanueva hopes to foster the publication's supportive environment of idea-sharing.
"The brand has made me a big believer of good ideas. I’ve seen their power since we launched in 2020, having introduced fresh and evergreen content in different forms that resonated with our readers in one way or another," she said.
"I’m looking forward to seeing more columns, partnerships, and exclusive content on our site as a collaborative effort from our team of young and experienced but equally passionate professionals."
Villanueva started out as a social media manager for ABS-CBN News and later became a content producer for the media network's lifestyle arm. She also wrote for Metro and Metro.Style before she was retrenched after it was unable to renew its franchise in July 2020.
In addition to her editorial duties with L!fe, she is pursuing a Master's in Business Administration at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. She also completed a certificate program developed by top faculty at Harvard Business School on the fundamentals of business.
