Tabla de contenidos para September 2020 en MEGA

JELLY EUGENIO @jellyeugenio I learned how to create beauty videos—prep, shoot, make a script, setup, edit—I basically became a one-man production this quarantine. MARELLA RICKETTS @marellaricketts I know I risk sounding terribly cliche, but lately I’ve been turning to yoga. I’ve taken a few classes here and there through the years, but having more time to practice on my own has taught me many things, one of them being patience. Yoga has taught me that it can take months (or even years) to build the strength or flexibility to achieve a certain pose, and understanding that humbles you. DOOKIE DUCAY @dookieducay Living alone during quaratine made me realize a lot about life. During quaratine I developed my sense of listening through all the audiobooks I consumed. I would listen to…

One of the lesser used words in the past, yet widely uttered since the pandemic is the word, compartmentalize. No, this isn’t a Marie Kondo crash course, but to think that a single word could sum up the series of unfortunate events for the last six months is perplexing. Compartmentalize your new work from home routine; compartmentalize your health supplies; compartmentalize your beliefs. It’s a strange revelation during a time of social distancing, just how important a close and healthy relationship with yourself is becoming and our organizing skills have proven to be most essential. But how do we maneuver and find order in the modern chaos? In our big fashion issue, we start all over again and rebuild from the ground up. This could be MEGA’s Genesis, thankfully not…

HYPNOSIS Geometry and simplicity go hand in hand. Clean lines are rather emphasized most especially in shades of ivory…

If you could materialize the distinctive thirst for the unique, the daring and ambitious spirit, and the unyielding creativity of power-hungry individuals, and mixed those with the poise of fashion house Cartier, the result would be both elegantly chaotic and wondrous to behold. This encapsulates the classic watch, Pasha, created by the maison. With its extraordinary design and vigor of a pioneer, the watch is made for those whose broad worldview echoes generations of genius and an assertive extroverted flair. The cult timepiece was conceived in 1985 and quickly became popular with men, before being chosen by women for the power it exudes. Today, the new watch appeals to both sexes and still houses the same daring attitude with modern sophistication, going outside the box of classic watchmaking where nothing…

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST FASHION MEMORY? PINKY TOBIANO: When I was young, I would love to wear my mom’s clothes and jewelry, especially her pearls. WHO WAS YOUR FASHION ROLE MODEL WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP? PT: I have always liked Audrey Hepburn. I would always watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s and have grown to love her style. WHAT IS YOUR FASHION PHILOSOPHY? PT: My fashion philosophy is to always be beautiful. Even when I was ill, I made sure I looked good so my family and my staff will not worry about me. I take extra effort to dress up everyday. WHAT ABOUT FASHION INSPIRES YOU? ARE YOU A SHOE OR BAG LOVER? OR BOTH? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BRANDS FOR BOTH? PT: I super, super love shoes and bags.…

Let’s start with the basics of psychology. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, everyone starts at the bottom of the pyramid focusing on physiological needs to survive. We then move on to security and then climb up to developing important relationships. From there, humans soon find the need for the feeling of accomplishment and, finally, self-actualization. Fashion finds itself sitting pretty on the fourth tier as it undoubtedly satisfies the human need of prestige and recognition. Since time immemorial, fashion and clothes have been used as a statement of aspiration. But is that all there is to fashion? A production machinery that caters to materialistic needs and nothing more? From the time I fell in love with fashion watching FashionTV on one of the obscure channels on television, I knew…

wonder WOMAN ANGEL LOCSIN “Angel Locsin: A real-life Darna.” It sounds like a movie title, but in today’s case, it isn’t. We know it’s been said time and time again, yet we never get tired of hearing it. In fact, it should be of absolutely no surprise by now that the one-time Darna and hero of our hearts, Angel Locsin is doing so much to help her fellow Filipinos, most especially when havoc strikes. More than just being an actress with great talent and skills, she’s an effacing philanthropist who acts on her own behest. Not only does she donate millions of her hard-earned money, but she personally goes out of her own way to help displaced victims and rally her peers and fans alike. You’ve seen her helping up…

TIME FOR A CHANGE The SHISEIDO Vital Perfection range aims to regenerate skin by brightening, firming, and lifting it using ReNuera Technology++. Start with the Uplifting and Firming Day Emulsion (P5750) after cleansing. This potent solution preps skin and protects it from dryness and UV damage. Follow this with either the Cream (P7900) or Cream Enriched (P7900), and Eye Cream (P4500). For special occasions, the Express Eye Mask (P4250) can even out skin tone and soften fine lines. It can even be used on the lip area. Carefully thought of and streamlined for simplicity, consider the Vital Perfection line as the next step into your anti-aging and skin perfecting arsenal. SPOT OFF When it comes to skin, a supple, even-toned visage is the goal for many people. To effectively remove…

YCIAR CASTILLO: I was born in Bacolod City and lived there until I was nine years old. I was very close to my mom’s family growing up and I think that’s where I got my creative genes. It was my mother who encouraged me to study makeup artistry. I found myself going at it full time pretty quickly, apprenticing with Jigs Mayuga for two years. I never looked back since. WHERE DID YOU LEARN MAKEUP AND WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU GOT? YC: I studied Basic Makeup Artistry in the Center for Aesthetic Studies and after that, I worked at MAC Cosmetics where I learned basic certification skills. But it was during my two years apprenticing under Jigs where I was exposed to all kinds of makeup: from bridal,…

Intentional—this is how I came to know the young Catriona Gray. Then a model and aspiring singer, she easily became a favorite muse in many editorials. Beyond that angelic face, peering through those cat eyes is a goddess-like gaze. She has this ethereal and fiery quality about her, an ability to bring out both intensity and vulnerability in front of the camera. Soon enough, modeling and music would be two artistic modalities she would pursue. She was fully present, focused, and all in—a pro from the very beginning. After a spirited catch-up, I jumped to our interview. I then tell her how we would proceed. I mention all my questions are based on what I call her mission statements—known to many during her reign, as an advocate, and echoed in…

March 14, 2020 is a day to be remembered—as it now is marked in history as the last day of our old life. It was the final day when the mundane was taken for granted: touching elevator buttons, opening doorknobs with confidence, hugging friends and loved ones freely. Since then, so much has happened, and ironically, so little has happened to curtail the effects of an unprecedented viral spread that crippled global economies. The pandemic has done so many things, ranging from the shutting down of small to large businesses, movement restrictions and the taking of nearly 1 million lives as of this writing. Yes, we’ve changed. Have you accepted that we will never be the same again? Full disclosure: I’ve been a spectator over the last few months. I’m…

1 SALVATORE FERRAGAMO As an Italian heritage house, Salvatore Ferragamo is known for many things, fashion and fine leather goods for example. But more than that, perhaps not many know that the brand has come up with a consistently charismatic collection of scents that have gained it a loyal following. Always on the pursuit of the confident and courageous man’s journey through life, Salvatore Ferragamo swerves into the lane of an instinctive free-thinker, whose unstoppable creative and unquenchable curiosity has given birth to the idea of Ferragamo, a contemporary fragrance that is made for a man of sharp contrasts. Strong and sentimental, the indulgent and harmonious blend intertwines a deliriously decadent citrus woody accords with bergamot, lemon, violet leaves, leather, as well as of musk and vetiver. This radiant explosion…

“The show must go on.” This adage is something I personally and strictly adhere to, a reminder that has guided me many times in my career. It doesn’t mean going to extremes to the point of harming oneself or others, but it does entail doing everything in one’s will and capacity to stage the show, to keep on going. Life keeps on going. We need to keep on living. We need to keep on making things happen. As we grapple with this pandemic and a future that is very uncertain, we still have to face the present and its demands the best way we can. We need to be present, to be aware and to take action. We need to accept the change. It’s inevitable after all. Our September edition…

1 IBAY’S SILVER SHOP Since 1974, Evelyn Ibay and her Ibay Silver Shop team in Baguio have been making the most intricate yet wearable silver art. With 28 branches all over Luzon, they have grown so much through the decades, despite some early struggles. Starting with a P5000 investment that Evelyn borrowed from her sister, she and Avelino, her silversmith husband, sought to create their brand and their products, patiently producing silverware for their markets in Baguio and Manila. They got their big break when international demand for silver jewelry grew, notably in Japan, Europe, and the US. Now the brand continues to uphold only the best standards for handcrafted silverware and plans to continue producing their heritage products, highlighting their thoughtful innovations and masterful craftsmanship. For commissioned pieces message…

DYNASTY With Ternocon breathing new life into different reiterations of the beloved silhouette, the terno should now become a classic wardrobe staple for every Filipina…

If there’s anything we can learn in fashion’s longevity, it’s that nostalgia sells. Jaws dropped left and right when American rapper Cardi B hit the Grammy red carpet a year ago in archival Thierry Mugler or the time Kim K wore Alexander McQueen’s “oyster dress” from the late designer’s Spring 2004 collection. And who can forget the moment the Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a 1960s Christian Dior silk burgundy coat for a royal christening? Whether you like or loathe it, wearing vintage appears to be the future of fashion. Could it be an answer to sustainability? While luxury power players such as eBay, Vestiaire Collective, and The Real Real exist, Manila has its own fair share of vintage whisperers and thrift evangelists. You too can score some pre-loved…

WHAT CHANGES HAPPENED IN YOUR MINDSET BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC? PT: The pandemic made me realize that God is in control. He is truly the author of our lives. We need to also innovate to survive. Businesses need to be very creative. One of the beautiful things that happened during the pandemic is that I spent more time with my family. I get to see the sunset when I jog every afternoon with my husband. WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? PT: My family makes me smile. WHAT DOES PINKY CARES FOUNDATION STAND FOR AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU TO GIVE BACK? PT: Pinky Cares Foundation is my foundation I started 10 years ago helping the abandoned elders. I have been supporting two shelters for the lolos and lolas (around…

Especially in this country where bayanihan has been part of both our vocabulary and values, community will always be part of being a Filipino. But during the pandemic, the spirit of bayanihan has become front and center. From the village Viber groups to the global community trying to help each other in fighting the virus, suddenly we look at our own neighbors to help us survive. This community building encouraged home cooks and bakers to finally pursue their entrepreneurship dreams while the rest choose to support them fully embodying the words #LoveLocal. For designer Anthony Ramirez, his love goes much deeper as he chooses to support the local weavers of La Union through a collection that features the region’s Abel Iloco fabric. Also known as Inabel, the Abel Iloco fabric…

The days go by, some more confusing than the others. During these frustrating times, sometimes all you need to do to feel a little better is to tiptoe into the kitchen, open your fridge, and pick out whatever calls your name. There is no shame in turning to comfort food from time to time—since the beginning of this pandemic, many of our favorites from the F&B industry have pivoted, catering to this very need. Three professionals—Richie Manapat, Enrique Moreno and Tara Lane—talk to us about how life has been a few months in, and share a little treat to inspire us: their comfort food of choice. The situation has forced us to see with even clearer eyes what truly matters to us: human connection. And because we are not able…

MEGA: WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU IN THIS NEW NORMAL? DR. HAYDEN KHO: The pandemic has changed what a typical day looks like for me. It used to be that I spend a lot of time in the office or clinic during weekdays, but that has obviously changed. In many ways, working from home has been good for me. I wake up early every morning to have some quiet time reading my Bible then spend 20 to 30 minutes praying. By 8 AM, my wife and daughter, Vicki and Scarlet, would be ready for breakfast so I join them. After breakfast, three to four times a week, I work out and then do my daily morning grooming regimen. Four mornings in a week, I am the designated “Teacher…

One morning, the entire country woke up and Ligo, the sardine product that has been a staple in every Pinoy pantry, was cool. We know this because our coolest friend has reposted them, and because our neighborhood sari-sari store still sells them. We know this because they now have a Sriracha variant, which means a collab with a major retail label must be next. What we didn’t know was how its third generation owners, even long before they were owners, have sneakily been planning this all along. As young students, Mikko Tung, Mark Tung, and Macky Tung always talked about their big plans for their father’s business. Their parents, however, made it very clear early on that no one was going to be forced into the family business—they all fell…

WHITE NIGHT Social evenings may sound impossible right now, but dressing up for a grocery run in this outfit combo wouldn’t hurt…

Being quarantined for more than five months meant a change to our everyday routine. Eating outside, traveling, socializing, and shopping seem like a distant memory. It’s a constant realization that our pre-pandemic lives were intoxicating. Now, brands are stepping up and rebuilding as the world went on a reset. Luxury houses produced PPE suits for front liners, most of them donating the proceeds from face masks to those affected by the virus—directly or not. Behind the chaos, humanity finally seems to act more humane. But even before the pandemic, Yuki Higson, co-founder and creative director of local brand Style Cat was ahead of the game. She’s a social entrepreneur—only operating on things that have a greater cause than what one can see on the surface. From selling accessories made of…

Pink has always been the color of femininity and joyful energy, but more importantly it represents love and compassion. Just like the color, Pinky feels a greater fulfilment and success when she betters the life of the people around her. This compassion was essentially the beginning of her career in chemistry. “Ever since I was five years old, I dreamt of making the best medicines for animals,” she shares. “Being exposed in our family business at a young age, I was already helping out in our poultry supply store and I said, ‘Someday, I’m going to make the best medicines for animals that will make them healthy and grow fast.’” She loved chemistry so much that when she was taking up her majors in college, she was also teaching chemistry…

Who would’ve thought the next trend for the season would be face mask and tailored hazmat overalls? The new normal as they say. 2020’s filth is reminiscent of the 2015 utopian film Equals starring Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult where the characters are mentally stabilized and all emotions and most illnesses are eradicated, and any member of the society who shows emotions is considered a threat. Aside from the visually satisfying palette of the costumes—almost clinical yet clean, streamlined silhouettes and androgynous looks, the plot isn’t too far from where we’re headed. Not too long ago, we were splurging on biker shorts, multi-pochette accessories, and chunky boots. Today, even fashion seems a little far-fetched, aside from spearheading the production of PPE suits for our modern heroes. Not to mention a…

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” That’s what the wise wizard Gandalf says to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, the latter at his wits end, stuck in a nightmare of a situation that he very much does not want to be in. Nobody wants to live through a horrible time, suffer from the most intimate of losses to the biggest of tragedies; no one wants to struggle through it, not when there is pain, fear, anxiety, death, and desolation involved. And yet, here we are. “I wish it need have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not not for them…

Even now it’s hard. What used to be so routine for us that it felt as natural and essential as breathing in air suddenly became something else: a source of anxiety, a rethinking of how things should be. Beauty’s ephemeral quality, integral to its billion-making industries, has made it extremely vulnerable to an unseen virus and fearful shadow it cast. It’s magic quality, felt by the finesse of skilled artists painting faces, styling hair, smoothing down lines, and so forth, was bogged down by shields and paranoia. This isn’t to say that safety or hygiene are a hindrance to the industry; far from it, as skincare, cosmetics, and aesthetic clinics are often the bastions of strict cleanliness standards, and protocols. But at the human level, from the whispered gossip shared…

1 COOL OFF “The lockdown was perhaps the longest I went without wearing makeup. While I’ve always been keen on my skincare, I was able to experiment more than I would normally do. Of all that I tried, SHISEIDO Ultimune Defense Mist (P3450) is my hands down favorite. Not only was it lightweight enough to spritz on anytime of the day, but it had a soft, cooling effect and made my skin look and feel instantly refreshed. As part of the popular Ultimune line, this mist contains the Utlimune Complex, which strengthens the skin’s inner defenses, as well as Uchimizu Technology, which stands up against higher temperatures and promotes skin turnover.”— PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO , Editor-In-Chief 2 SWIPE UP “I welcomed a new baby during the pandemic, which meant I had…

MEGA 09/20 RISE AND SHINE The pandemic has cast a dark shadow across the world. From crashing economies to make-or break-relationships because of lockdowns, we have been challenged to find new ways to survive. But the darkness also shed a somber light on our choices and the resulting consequences we’re now experiencing. From this, we can only hope to rise from the darkness and capture the new light. Who better to lead us in this journey to enlightenment but the queen herself, Catriona Gray? During this pandemic she once again did what she has done time and time again: raised her voice to amplify those of the unheard and used her platform to get donations. Working again with Young Focus Philippines, she continues her fight against poverty and for education.…

FASHION BERSHKA, Glorietta 2, SM Megamall; BURBERRY, Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Makati; CHARLES & KEITH, SM Megamall, Power Plant Mall; DISTINQT, G/F Shangri-La, The Fort; FENDI, Shangri-La Plaza Mall; GIVENCHY, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 4; GUCCI, Greenbelt 4, Shangri-La Plaza Mall; HABI FOOTWEAR AND LIFESTYLE <instagram.com/habifootwearandlifestyle> H&M, SM Southmall, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Uptown Mall; LOUIS VUITTON, Greenbelt 4, Solaire Resort and Casino; NAWA. PH <instagram.com/nawa.ph> PRADA, Greenbelt 4, Solaire Resort and Casino; SAINT LAURENT, Shangri-La Plaza Mall; STRADIVARIUS, Glorietta 2, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, SM Aura; THE NEW MOOD, <thenewmood.online>; TOPSHOP, Greenbelt 3, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Power Plant Mall; UNIQLO, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM Makati, SM Megamall; UNIVERS, East Tower One Rockwell; Adora Greenbelt 5; ZARA, Greenbelt 5, Power Plant Mall,…

“It’s been a while since we did something like this,” says Mikko Tung, puncturing the silence of a still Saturday, where the scrutiny of pre-shoot rituals was understandably heightened in light of the first weekend since reverting to the government-mandated Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine. He was of course talking to his brothers, Mark and Macky, where they all stood in line to change for their warm-up layout with photographer, Jerick Sanchez. From the other end of the room, we couldn’t help but nod in agreement, as it was our first job order of this scale since the violent bearing of the pandemic punished and galvanized through the best and worst of the world’s healthcare systems and government leaderships. It was unnerving in more ways than one, where conscious precaution, testing,…