The upcoming Filipino edition of Playboy will target dads instead of lads and refrain from showing full frontal nudity, according to the editor of the new magazine.

The iconic men's title, set to launch a local version in the Philippines April 2 and 3, will not be as "bold" as the U.S. original, but also will not be as tame as the no-nudity Indonesian version, editor-in-chief Beting Laygo Dolor told reporters this week.

In 2006, when a version of the famed men's magazine was launched in Indonesia — the world's most populous Muslim nation — it sparked several violent protests by ultra-conservative groups.

By the time the second issue hit newsstands, the magazine's production team had moved its offices from the capital of Jakarta to the less volatile, resort island of Bali. Its editor-in-chief, Erwin Arnada, also faced charges of violating indecency laws, but was acquitted in 2007.

Editor anticipates tolerance towards new mag

Dolor said he expected the Philippines' predominantly Roman Catholic population to be more tolerant towards Playboy.

"I don't think the Christian community here, after seeing it, will be any angrier than [they are] say [toward] FHM or Maxim," he told the Associated Press, referring to two other international men's magazines that have launched Filipino versions.

Dolor emphasized that his magazine was targeting a more mature, successful demographic of "dads" rather than the "lads" who read the other titles.

He also said he has enlisted past Palanca Award-winners — the country's most prestigious literary honour — to write for the new title, which will feature 70 per cent locally created content and 30 per cent U.S. content.

The magazine will feature pictorials of women and popular segments from other editions such as 20 questions with a prominent figure, Dolor said. However, the title will also showcase fiction writing, essays, investigative reports, articles on diverse subjects and columns.

Local women will largely be portrayed in the magazine, as opposed to celebrities, he added.

Playboy Philippines is the 25th international edition of the men's lifestyle title started by Hugh Hefner in the U.S. in 1953.

With files from the Associated Press