From controversial to blah

FHM Philippines released the new cover of their March Issue with Bela Padilla on the cover. A far cry from its very controversial original cover, which caught the attention of both local and international press, the new cover is just a little too tame, or should we say, so un-FHM.
While Bela is still wearing a two-piece swimsuit, her pose, the background, and even the caption doesn’t really send the message of a new and more exciting Bela Padilla.
The change came after the original cover was uploaded online last February 25. A few hours later, the post was barraged by comments that called the original cover “racist.” While a lot of people are baffled as to what makes the cover “racist”, FHM Philippines decided to change the cover anyway.
Here is the official statement of FHM Philippines on the controversy:
“On Saturday, February 25, we uploaded the March issue of FHM with Bela Padilla on the cover on our Facebook page. Just hours later, a slew of comments on the supposed “racism” of the cover image and cover line flooded the magazine page, prompting the editorial team to re-examine the cover so that we could put into context its execution and assuage the concerns of our readers and non-readers as well who’ve weighed in on the issue.
We took all the points into consideration and have decided to take the side of sensitivity.
When FHM hits the stands in March it will have a different cover. We deem this to be the most prudent move in the light of the confusion over the previous cover execution.
We apologize and thank those who have raised their points. We apologize to Bela Padilla for any distress this may have caused her. In our pursuit to come up with edgier covers, we will strive to be more sensitive next time.”