MANILA —Calling the soon-to-be released Philippine edition of venerable gentleman’s magazine Playboy proof of “the declining moral values and system among the present generation of Filipinos,” Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese is leading a chorus of voices opposing the regionally customized publication’s release.Although Cruz acknowledges that he’s not seen an issue of the magazine in question, which is scheduled to hit racks on April 2nd, he insists that seeing it isn’t necessary for condemning, because Playboy magazine is just another word for graphic nudity.

“It means to say that we are drifting away from morality and these are indications that we failed to inculcate the right value system among our people,” Cruz insists.

While Playboy Philippine editor Beting Laygo Dolor likely anticipated opposition, especially given the violent reaction of some Islamic groups in neighboring Indonesia, he’s a bit baffled by what he’s hearing at home – especially since the magazine will not feature any frontal nudity at all. Instead, Dolor says the success of the publication will rest upon its “intelligent and well-written” articles about “anything under the sun of interest to men.”

As is the tradition with Playboy, the Philippine version of the “mature lifestyle magazine” will feature beautiful women, as well as in-depth investigative journalism and award-winning fiction writers. Unlike American or European versions, however, these beautiful women will be clothed.

“It will be tamer than the US edition, but not as tame as the Indonesian edition,” the veteran journalist explained to television media in his home country.

This 25th international edition of the US-based, 50-year-old publication, will still include a “Playmate of the month,” but will be aimed more at the older, more affluent reader than magazines such as FHM and Maxim, which appeal more to younger “lad magazine” demographics, both of which are available in Philippine versions.

The strong and fiercely conservative Roman Catholic Philippine church has been outspoken in its disapproval of all media it considers to be morally unacceptable, including motion pictures and publications that include nudity. The church’s guardians of morality have filed criminal charges against those distributing such materials in the past.