Tabla de contenidos para January 2020 en MEGA

PAMM MARRERA, Makeup Artist and Hairstylist I’d like to hit that refresh button to break the mold, go outside of my comfort zone and try more things I’ve never done and work on the stuff I can be better at. I’m ready for new goals, new opportunities and challenges! ALYSSA LAPID, Writer Definitely pressing forward this year/decade. RXANDY CAPINPIN, Photographer Restart but never reset. JERICK SANCHEZ, Photographer Forward, because everything that happens to you, your experiences, have something significant in your future... As ideal as it is to restart and let go of the things that pull us down, it is almost impossible to simply just cut ties. The best we can do is learn from them and keep moving forward. ERWIN CANLAS, Photographer New Years are always an opportunity…

Diversity, sustainability and authenticity. Three keywords that were in hot water the past year. The decade has passed and you’d think by now, people would have paid attention to the crisis the earth is facing. Not so much of the 20/20 vision you were expecting, weren’t you? The fashion industry continues to thrive despite the constant pressure from activists. On the bright side, the billion-dollar industry has been taking active stances for a more sustaionable future. In 2019, Sudanese-Aussie super model Adut Aketch won model of the year at the British Fashion Awards. Once a refugee at seven years old, the model appeared in five Vogue covers in a month alone, starred in her first Valentino fragrance campaign and earned a spot on the esteemed Time 100 Next List. On…

PIÑA COLADA An unsung hero in the local fashion industry, the piña fabric remains as elegant as ever all while remaining sustainable Piña dress and ruffled trousers both by CHRIS NICK, Earrings by KLAD JEWELRY and Snakeskin heels by H&M STYLE TIP An all-white ensemble’s best weapon is either statement shoes or a bag…

Some people posses a certain kind of magnetic charisma that makes everyone lean in. Marga Nograles is one of those: well spoken and very much passionate about her work, she exudes bright energy, even when you first meet her, and especially when she starts talking about her brand Kaayo. Born and raised in Davao, Marga moved to New York as soon as she graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University, working for special projects with the Department of Tourism. After her stint there, she went back to the Philippines and took on work in the beauty, fashion and lifestyle industries, experiences that exposed her to the world of retail and distribution. Despite her hectic schedule and jetsetting ways, Mindanao was always in her mind, a place she would always call…

On the 50th anniversary of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, OMEGA has revealed a limited box set of its iconic Seamaster Diver 300M watch. No, this watch can’t control satellites or summon invisible cars (as far as we know anyway), but it does come with a sleek and sexy design and technical details perceptible only to a discerning few. For fans of the 007, the 1969 film was a turning point. Could the suave spy live on through a different actor (original actor Sean Connery had left the series) and could it could find relevance in a new, more liberal era? The response was a resounding yes, with 007 continuing to grace the screen several more times during the decade—and the decades after—and seduce a new generation into its thrilling…

Take up space. That’s what Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi said during her run to the title. With one statement, she articulated the feeling ofothernessandephemeralitythatmanywomen experience in their daily lives. Filipinas in particular, are often told to know their place, and this place is often on the side, even if it’s on a pedestal. When we are given the spotlight, we are expected to be surprised, to be grateful, to defer, to be nice. But it’s 2020 and like Miss Tunzi, we’re so over this. We would like to have our own room please, and we’ll take the one with a view. This isn’t just a New Year—it’s also a New Decade. The world is topsy-turvy with fake news and the very real fear of a world coming to an…

Las Flores has been a staple restaurant for anyone looking for a taste of Spanish cuisine. This season, we are in for a treat as the brand’s new Spanish chef, Ignacio Alcala, creates an exclusive menu that is a mix of new dishes and popular Las Flores staples. The menu starts the culinary journey through Spain with the Bocadito con Anchas with Anchovies and the classic Conos de Tartar de Salmon; both dishes are an explosion of flavor, highlighting the freshenss of the fish. For extra indulgence, there’s the Angus & Foie minis, Las Flores favorites, that round out the starters. For the mains, the star would undoubtedly be the perfectly cooked Fritura Pulpo, octopus laying on a bed of eggplant and honey purée. This is followed by the sea…

When it comes to the ubiquitous term that is wellness… where do we even begin? In an age where individuals are more conscious of their health than ever, with innovative products, treatments and workouts popping up left and right, who do you know who to trust? This is the very reason why month, we shine a light on those we feel deserve the spotlight. The MEGA editors begin by recommending their top organic picks on Tried and Tested. More than just a pretty face, the wise Vanessa Matsunaga talks about the most meaningful things about being a model and a mother on Beauty Blog. For Health & Wellness, we delve deeper into anxiety disorders, and the different ways one can overcome them. When it comes to taking care of your…

REMEMBER ME It’s amazing how much a specific scent can take you on a trip down memory lane. GUCCI’s new Mémoire D’une Odeur (P7400) explores this, using ingredients such as Roman chamomile and Indian Coral Jasmine petals to bring back memories of joy and love. SOMETHING EXTRA DIOR releases the first flower oil infused ultra-wear and ultra-care lip product: the Rouge Dior Ultra Care Lipstick (P2250). Provide your lips with the extra care it needs while wearing soft, feminine colors in a luminous matte finish. SUPPORT SYSTEM Minimize pores and refine your skin’s texture with KIEHL’S Limited Edition Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask (P1250), signed by John Legend himself. However, this product isn’t just good for cleaning your skin—in partnership with the artist, 100% of the products proceeds support…

Having aesthetic treatments are no longer taboo. They’re already widely accepted as a way to make yourself feel more confident. But the fear of going under the knife hasn’t changed. Plastic surgery still terrifies a lot of people. But with the rise of advanced cosmetic technology, achieving your idea of beauty is now painless and even easy on your wallet. Skin House offers a multitude of aesthetic services that deliver results immediately and at an affordable price. The clinic makes use of state-of-the-art equipment and performs non-surgical procedures to accommodate their clients’ beauty needs. Through their methods, you no longer need to worry about the hassles that come with enhancing your features. Skin House started eight years ago with a mission of empowering women through beauty. It was the dream…

The fashion world is all about endings and beginnings. From cyclical trends and the rise of sustainability to the discovery of the new and talented, we are in the midst of a cultural shift where we are more conscious of our actions and even more aware of what it really means to be stylish. This month is all about the changes we are willing to take for a better future. Two women who know a lot about staying power are the two of the brightest songstresses of their generations: Sarah Geronimo and Regine Velasquez Alcasid. They lead our January 2020 issue with a collaboration that has been years in the making. Clad in varying shades of blue and green, they proved in every photo why they are still the most…

Labels are fun, but for the new kind of consumer, mindful and conscious of the social, cultural and environmental effects of their purchases, well-made and thoughtfully designed quality products are the new luxury. KATRE, a local bag company founded by Kat Erro, has embodied this new concept. The entrepreneur had her eureka moment way back in 2007 and in 2011, had her first big hit with Katre’s City Tote, a soft-structured tote of unlined leather and quality hardware. From there other successes followed, like the Boite, a round-shaped handbag that come in an assortment of chic colors (we love the burgundy one), bringing the brand to the Philippine fashion forefront. Working closely with local artisans, Katre continues with its mission of providing sustainable work and education for its employees, while…

Fire up a Google search with your name and depending on your internet connection, watch as the results trickle in from exact, related, and even head-scratching far-fetched results in less than a blink of an eye. Come on, don’t even act as if you haven’t done this or even so much as entertained the curdling curiosity before. Whatever affront of enlightenment, elucidation, and education you swish around, it becomes increasingly clear that the underlying force that compels us to have a look at our virtual imprint, aside from narcissism, which really needs no threshing out, is that anonymity no longer exists. Sure, you can hide behind a fake name, a faceless profile photo, or even a bogus personality, but that still intrinsically means you have embedded a digital footprint on…

I m going to start off by saying "Green is the new beginning”. We at MEGA have always been inspired to produce a green-inspired issue, so this month we tackle topics that are very much affecting the fashion industry—the world at large—today. Stories on sustainability, recycling and up-cycling are some of the key thoughts we pushed for in our fashion pages, while our beauty stories are all about the advantages of choosing organic beauty brands and products. For us, going green is also about advocating a clean lifestyle; from diet options (plant based, vegan, etc.) to managing your mental and emotional state, green is about embracing a healthier, more centered and balanced you. And doing your bit for the rest of future and for the rest of the world as…

EARN YOUR STRIPES Pair the puff with a constructed pair of trousers or a gathered skirt Dotted low neck-line puffed sleeved top and gathered skirt both by PAMELA NG, Earrings by KLAD JEWELRY and Lucite heels by H&M STYLE TIP Swap stacked jewelry for a high shine chain mail bag STYLE TIP Chaotic prints and wild card textures go hand in hand…

One search query of Maya Nilsen on the internet and you’d instantly get aesthetically-pleasing, well-curated visuals and style inspiration both from YouTube and Instagram. “I started early. I got into fashion aged 16,” she reveals. “My mom used to work as a buyer for SM Department Store’s women’s line and growing up, I would be exposed to a lot of clothes.” Starting out as a hobby, Maya and her friend started the then unknown Sweden-based style vlog The Line Up six years ago. It instantly became the go-to for fashion enthusiasts looking for style inspiration and now the channel has racked up 526K subscribers and counting. “They used to tell me the easiest way was to write a blog but I thought my life wasn’t that interesting to write about…

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST FASHION MEMORY? As a child I would imagine dressing up people in church. As people come and go I would imagine how to mix and match their outfits or reinvent what they are wearing. WHO WAS YOUR FASHION ROLE MODEL WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP? I have always admired Tita Ting Ting Cojuangco’s style. She was always effortlessly chic—and also a staunch advocate of Mindanao. Another woman I look up to is my Lola Pat. She always represented simple elegance with clean lines and a perfect fit WHAT’S YOUR FASHION PHILOSOPHY? Comfort is number one! WHAT ABOUT FASHION INSPIRES YOU? Everything about it. How it evolves, how it truly is an expression of oneself, how there are no rules really, how it makes you happy, how…

STELLA MCCARTNEY Stella McCartney was one of the first luxury brands to fully embrace sustainable design. The game changing label uses re-engineered cashmere, recycled nylon and vegetarian leather. They’re also conscious of supply chains and business practices to lessen their environmental impact VEJA Veja has been on the rise not only for street style impresarios but also for people with an eco-conscious lifestyle. Aside from using organic materials from cotton to rubber, Veja is also a fair trade brand that give their laborers good pay, personalized social support and a career development plan. Every year, Veja checks the chemical safety of each sneaker to eliminate the eco pollutants EVERLANE Everlane is all about every day wear and because of that, it is meant to fit to any kind of lifestyle.…

Treat yourself to the best of both cosmetics and skincare with the latest offering from global beauty brand BYS. The BYS Face Fix Foundation is designed to prevent, heal, and cover blemishes, making it the dream foundation come true for any makeup lover who has bad acne days. Formulated with skin superstar ingredient Tea Tree, this foundation fights acne flare-ups and covers up imperfections for the perfect skin day. Quality products have always been the commitment of BYS to its consumer base, but with the BYS Face Fix Foundation, the Australian beauty giant has taken its #BeYourOwnExpert tagline to a whole new level. Introduced to the Philippine beauty market six years ago by IFACE Inc., BYS (@byscosmetics_ ph) is exclusively available at Watsons and SM Beauty stores nationwide, and at…

You always hear the nicest things about Vanessa Matsunaga-Sunga before you actually work with her. The face that you hear remarks such as “She’s the easiest to work with,” or “She’s such a sweetheart,” says a lot about her charming personality and professionalism. True enough, the moment the Brazilian-Japanese model arrives on set, she greets everybody with a “Kamusta,” and a smile that warms up your day. This is not always the case for someone with a face as familiar as Vanessa’s. Having been in the industry since she was barely 18 years old, the beauty has experienced it all, filling the team in on her craziest, most memorable stories—from first being spotted at a mall in Brazil to the joys of being a mother. With every experience, she is…

Celebrating its 30th year in the industry, the Belo Medical Group enters a new phase filled with change and even more amazing beauty and wellness innovations. Priding itself on being all-Filipino, they present to us their flagship clinic: a 370-sqm space in One Bonifacio High Street Mall with top-of-the-line air purifiers, making it the first pure wellness clinic in Asia. FEEL AT HOME Everything about the new Belo clinic boasts of modern Filipino design, aesthetics and technology. Drs. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho collaborated with world-renowned architecture and design firm Budji + Royal to capture the brand’s unique personality. The space includes personalized pieces such as the Victoria occasional chair with a classic silhouette, a Hayden arm chair made of mahogany and velvet, and of course, the Scarlet sofa. These…

“Sorry about the late response. I just flew back from a trip,” writes Sarah Lahbati to the email correspondence that sat untouched on my inbox for a few days. Typically, the standard, mundane exchange of electronic messages straddles the fine line between sincere and detached, often falling trap to presumptions of reception. Sometimes it can be curtailed by the connection of two punctuations to form the stylized smiling face that have become insulations to many conversations on the daily. While this straightforward, matter-of-fact reply was indeed affixed with the textual representation of cheer, there existed a color of genuine warmth to the pleasantry that belied the typical internet conversations. She is of course talking about her recent trip to the lush tropical escape in one of Philippine geography’s gleaming gems,…

FASHION ALEXANDER MCQUEEN , Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Rustan’s Makati; ARAW THE LINE , Tropa Store, 117 Aguirre St., Makati; BALENCIAGA , Greenbelt 5; BERSHKA , Glorietta 2, SM Megamall; BURBERRY , Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Makati; BVLGARI , Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La Plaza Mall; CHARLES & KEITH , SM Megamall, Power Plant Mall; CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN , Rustan’s Makati; DISTINQT , G/F Shangri-La, The Fort; FENDI , Shangri-La Plaza Mall; FOREVER21 , SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM Makati, SM Megamall; GIVENCHY , Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 4; GUCCI , Greenbelt 4, Shangri-La Plaza Mall; H&M , SM Southmall, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Uptown Mall; HOMME ET FEMME , Shangri-La Plaza Mall, 8 Rockwell; JIMMY CHOO , Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Rustan’sMakati, Greenbelt 4; KATE SPADE ,…

If there’s one person to thank for today’s taste for dry champagne, it should be Madame Louise Pommery. Having taken over as the head of Champagne Pommery after the passing of her husband in 1858, her distinct taste in wine led to the creation of the first brut or dry champagne that won the world over with its delicate taste. It broke traditions–transitioning taste buds from very sweet wine often served as a dessert drink to a more refreshing flavor in every sip. A woman in a man’s world, Madame Louise Pommery imprinted her personality on her champagnes. Her confidence quickly changed the landscape of champagne in the English market. She always set her priorities straight, embodying a Qualit é d’abord (quality first) philosophy. The purity and the finesse of…

What else can we say about Sarah Geronimo and Regine Velasquez Alcasid? The duo arrived promptly at 8 AM and immediately got down to business. Both singing superstars have graced MEGA’s cover multiple times and they knew the drill as well as they knew their songs. Regine, of course, did her own makeup. Using favorites from BYS Cosmetics. Asia’s Songbird also talked about her upcoming line Reigne, which she describes as a collection that will give professional results without the price tag or the extra effort. Meanwhile, Sarah brought along items from her über popular makeup line POP Studio. The cheery colored collection are all multi-use products geared for modern females who need easy-to-use makeup products that can take them from day to night. The resulting makeup looks of both…

FLORA AND FAUNA Florals? Ground-breaking? No. But you can’t deny the print’s shelf life in your wardrobe Floral coordinates both by PAMELA NG,Earrings by KLADJEWELRY…

APART FROM FASHION, WHAT OTHER THINGS INTEREST YOU? I love music. I don’t sing but I deejay! I’ve actually been getting gigs here recently. I just play the music that I like, so that’s a lot of hiphop and RNB. You know, chill vibes. I started in Sweden just for fun but I’m not professional, I don’t know how to scratch. WHAT IS YOUR STYLE PHILOSOPHY? I would say it’s very tomboy and comfy but also ladylike. It’s a mix of different things. ARE YOU A PLANNER OR A SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT D R E S S E R ? I like planning but I also like having a semi-idea. That’s the thing with me because when I used to do videos and shoots, I would think about the outfit beforehand but…

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? The smallest things make me smile. I live with a grateful heart because I have been so blessed. So many of my dreams have come true—even dreams that I never dared to dream. Seeing my kids happy, Karlo coming home early for dinner, coffee, a good meal, wine nights with my friends, the perfect fitting samples, time with my family, travels, the beach, the slopes. There is beauty in everything. WHAT IS THE MOST DEFINING MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE THUS FA R ? I think this will be marrying my husband Karlo and creating a family with him. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SECRET TO A HAPPY LIFE? Living with a grateful heart. WHAT IS NEXT FOR MARGA N O G R AL E S…

We all know the classic tale from mythology—of the primordial Greek Goddess Gaia, the personification of the earth. She is the ancestral mother of all beings, bringing to life the most powerful gods and goddesses, titans and deities on Olympus. Bearing life and its creation is a burden to behold, but it is our responsibility as humans to nurture and protect it. Sadly, one of the biggest sources of waste in the earth come from the fashion industry with about 100 billion pieces of clothing for seven billion people according to a study in 2015. It may sound daunting but all is not lost. With decades of discarded clothes clogging up our oceans, the small steps matter the most and young designer Mariton Villanueva has her best foot forward, marching…

ROYAL TRE ATMENT Aside from diamonds, the collection’s other main attraction are the eye-catching colored stones…

Do your research before making the switch to a plant-based diet Veganism is nothing new. But in the last few years, there seems to be a notable rise of the plant-based diet, made even more ubiquitous as meat has been linked to numerous diseases and contributing to climate change. However, giving up a lifelong habit of eating meat and animal byproducts isn’t as simple as you think. If you’re considering making the switch, it would be best to do your homework first. Doctor, cardiologist and former senatorial candidate Dr. Willie Ong has had over 25 years of experience in the field, sharing to his millions of online followers how to live a healthy life. He reveals that he isn’t too concerned about patients going vegan. “Actually, I’m not too worried…

ON HER SKINCARE REGIMEN: “I’ve always been particular with my skin. Makeup can only do so much. ESTÉE LAUDER is one of my favorite brands. I love their Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery II; nothing I have tried compares to it. I also use their Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion. I always have it in my bag. Most days, I leave the house without makeup on so sometimes I would apply the product in the middle of the day to freshen up. Also, I never stick to one kind of product for long because I believe our skin needs different things. I don’t want my skin to get too used to one product that it stops working.” ON HER FAVORITE MAKEUP LOOK: “It has to be something fast. I’m…

September 2018. Back home after a long day at work, I stop in place as I suddenly feel my chest and my throat tighten. Breathing requires more effort and I feel rather faint because of it. Moments later, my hands go numb. My mind is racing—I’m going to die, I tell myself repeatedly as I made my way to the nearest emergency room. “You’ve probably had a panic attack,” the doctor tells me when he finds nothing physically wrong with my body. Initially, this was difficult for me to stomach—I’ve always seen myself as a rather carefree individual. But factors such as stress crept up on me and blew up when I least expected them to. In the months that follow, I would experience a succession of smaller, less intense…

Tabula Rasa or blank slate is probably my favorite part about a brand new year. It provides all of us with a new lease on life and an opportunity to rectify any past mistakes. If you had a bad last year, a new year will give you hope that things will be better since there really is no way but up. What I do like about a bad year, however, is the opportunity to learn and make the situation golden. So, here are some learnings from someone who survived a tough last year. TRAVEL OFTEN AND COMFORTABLY I refused to pay for premium flights in the past because I couldn’t afford it. I was also young and energetic and could deal with prolonged hours of discomfort, but not anymore. While…

NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES It is fairly easy to make a promise, but committing to it in the long run proves to be a hair-pulling, shrug-evoking effort for most. Making full use of 100% renewable energy, supporting global communities, and actively protecting the oceans and reducing landfill, Neal’s Yard is bound to its mission and vision of a better, more sustainable future. On an even greater scale, the brand has been tackling climate change head-on, being carbon neutral for over 10 years now, and intending to curb its dent by 47% in 2025 and ideally, 87% by 2050. This persistent spirit trickles to its certified oganic offerings, such as the potent Firming Body Cream that firms and smoothens skin of all types. ORIGINS Powered by nature and proven by science, Origins…