Tabla de contenidos para December 2020 en MEGA

his year has been truly a T challenging time for all of us. Whatever industry, socio-economic group or age you might belong to, we all encountered something unprecedented and it changed our lives forever. On top of the pandemic, the year was also riddled with brazen social injustices, cultural tragedies and natural calamities that affected, once again, all of us. With all of that, it’s easy to simply call out and cancel 2020, but despite all these terrible circumstances, I hope we still find a way to see beyond all the ugliness and heartaches we’ve experienced this year. Ultimately, we still have a lot to be thankful for, and that is what we want to shine a light on in this issue. It’s the simple pleasures—the gift of family, the…

Bayanihan is a unique Filipino trait that we could all be proud of. When our fellowmen are down, it is our own helping hands that are able to lift them. This value has created a sense of community and a connection between people that no challenge can ever overcome. We saw this value practiced even more this year when the pandemic hit. As much as it exposed human folly, it has also brought light to those whose kind hearts never fail to rise up and help. One of those women is Cathy Binag. At the onset of the pandemic Binag was quick to take action in finding ways to help fellow Filipinos, especially frontliners. The lack of supplies from PPEs to face masks was immediately evident. At the onset of…

We’re nearing the end of 2020 and we are just about done with all the double standards, especially those that say women can’t achieve as much as men. Women can be just as determined and passionate about making sure they reach their goals, exquisitely perform their work no matter what the circumstances are–and with the alluring ambience of Belle Lumière in Uptown Mall, Interior Designer Kathlyn Villapando shows just that. BEAUTY THAT CROSSES BORDERS Belle Lumière, a well-known aesthetic salon originating all the way from Tokyo, Japan, combines natural beauty and advanced technology for their services such as hair removal and facial care. With multiple branches across Japan and even in Thailand, Belle Lumière lands in the Philippines to share their safe and pain-free services that reach every customer’s beauty…

Tis’ the season to be merry, they said. It’ll be nice, they said. Oh, but the year that was. In Home, we give you a few ideas on how to celebrate as simply or as grandly as your mood permits—all while helping the others. We asked help from the good folks over at Arte Fino for table setting ideas and gifts that keep on giving. In Food, we put together a small feast perfect for your socially-distanced celebrations. From a maddeningly rich cochinillo to an array of refined desserts, we show you how to spread love and good cheer all while staying safe and warm at home. Here’s to hope, even if you’re not feeling hopeful, to a flute of champagne that’s half full but all the more bubbly. Good…

For as long as we can remember, the holidays have always called for makeup that is equal parts carnaval and 50s sophisticate. Glitter is everywhere, and so are crimson lips and jeweled lids. It’s the time for indulgences, when manicures become hand spas, haircuts become statements, and everything is bedazzled. But it’s a different time. And while the spirit of joy remains, its song is tempered by the cold reality of current events. There are no over-the-top celebrations, no Oprah-style giveaways. Which isn’t so bad really. If anything, the austerity has put the essentials into focus: health, family and the simple joy of being together, even if it’s online. And while there’s a lot less tinsel, many things still sparkle. There’s less champagne, but much to toast about. So slick…

CHAINS OF LOVE The beauty of CHANEL is that the house is always inspired by the facets of its famous founder. For this year’s holiday collection, the makeup range takes its cue from the brand’s signature gold chains. Global Creative Makeup and Color Designer Lucia Pica links together the classic red lip with the holidays’ penchant for glamorous gold with four Ombre Première (P2300) eye shadows, several Rouge Allure (P2450) lipsticks and a gorgeous, rose-gold illuminating Blush Powder (P4150). The result is a timeless yet modern look that captivates. LIGHT MY FIRE We always adore the limited edition candles that DIPTYQUE releases annually and this year’s holiday collection does not disappoint. Starting with the Floral Majesty Candle (P4250), which boasts the luxurious warmth of roses, cinnamon and spices, to the…

“This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath, may prove a beauteous flower when we next meet.” That’s William Shakespeare likening love to that of a blossoming flower. Just as lovely and temperate, Isabelle Daza blooms in our December-January issue. Hard to believe that it’s the beauty’s first ever MEGA cover. Comparable to a Claude Monet muse, Belle is a vision by the garden, captured by close friend and photographer BJ Pascual. The weather may have dimmed the first few hours of the shoot with its gloomy skies—an obvious contrast to the concept rich in sun-drenched hues, but our cover star braved it all. Being photographed or filmed may not be new to her, but it’s not everyday in quarantine that you get to be clothed in painterly petals, especially…

Dreamy and ethereal, Drém Luxe’s Silk and Skin collection is alluring and undeniably comfortable. The pastel-hued collection and brand were the results of the free time and focus afforded by the pandemic to its founders. The beauty behind the brains of Drém Luxe is Cherry Mae Talaoc, who is also managing Cerise Bridal Boutique. For their debut collection, they paint a woman’s body in the most lustrous silk, carefully handmade by local artisans. Blending the art of comfort and luxury, the brand redefines classic wardrobe pieces that double as both loungewear and statement pieces. The collection’s biggest contenders? The lace-up corsets and silk coordinates in 50 shades of pink—all made at an affordable price tag above everything else. Three months into quarantine, the brand grew its following into 10,000 followers…

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST FASHION MEMORY? I’ve always wanted to group to become a princess or a queen, and I thought that dressing up for the role would give it to me. WHO WAS YOUR FASHION ROLE MODEL WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP? I would always look to classic beauties like Grace Kelly, Maureen O’Hara, Sharon Stone, Michelle Pfeiffer, Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman WHAT IS YOUR FASHION PHILOSOPHY? Classy and elegant will a long way WHAT ABOUT FASHION INSPIRES YOU? Fashion for me is universal, I dress based on how I feel for the day. I can be lazy and look glamorous at the same time. Fashion is an art of human mood and feeling. I don’t follow trends but always dress the way I feel ARE YOU A…

WHAT A JOY Jean-Michel Othoniel’s version of the Saint-Tropez beach bag embodies both grace and fun. Combining Othoniel’s intricate beadwork with untreated raffia, this ArtyCapucines bag reminds us of the beauty of nature…

Food is a unique universal language spoken especially during the holiday season. The different cultures around the world all celebrate differently but one thing similar always remains, and that is food is responsible for bringing people together. May it be a fresh-from-the-oven minced pie for the Brits, or a crispy lechon for Filipinos, food represents a treat for a life well-lived. On Christmas Eve this year, let’s enjoy the comfort of our home, the company of our loved ones and celebrate the fact that we all got through the year together. From Chef Miko Aspiras of Le Petit Soufflé to Barcino Restaurant and The Grazing Home, they tell us that there’s no rush; together let’s savor the moment. TRAVEL WITH EVERY MEAL Holiday travel is one of the best parts…

We’ve gone on and on about the pandemic, but can we ever talk too much about it? About how it has upended our lives? We are worn down, so it’s only natural that we seek solace in any shape or form. Many find it in yoga. Why does yoga work so well for so many people? It’s a combination of many things, a rare point where science and the spiritual collide in serene ecstasy. But among its many attributes, its meditative focus on proper breathing is perhaps the biggest reason it can calm racing hearts and soothe frayed nerves. Prana Manila, a small fledgling, Manila-based company, takes this one step further by taking us away from a moment of stress to a moment of wonder; breathe in the present and…

BALLET BEAUTIFUL Dance the night away with the LAURA MERCIER Pìece de Résistance Eye & Cheek Essentials (P6650), a stunning double palette containing 15 eye shadow shades, two blush shades, a bronzer and highlighter. Inspired by the elegance and artistry of ballet, this palette is the highlight of a dance-themed collection that is perfect for all kinds of soirées—even the socially distanced ones. FINAL COUNTDOWN Forget trinkets and chocolate—this is our kind of advent calendar. Count down the 12 days of Christmas with the NARS Advent Calendar (P12,500) a brazenly bold kit that contains 12 full-sized, bestselling lip products such as the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita, Lipstick in Inappropriate Red, and Powermatte Lip Pigment in Slow Ride.…

1 RED-DY FOR THE HOLIDAYS SAVE: “Nothing says festive more than red nail polish for the holidays. SALLY HANSEN Complete Salon Nail Polish (P302) in Killer Heels livens up nails while nourishing them with its Keratin Complex formula. This chip-resistant polish can survive a week-long celebration.” SPEND: “When I was younger, I remember my mom favoring a bold red color for her nails. Every time she would get ready for a party or step out for an event, her hands always looked elegant when painted in this classic, powerful color. CHANEL Le Vernis (P1350) in Ultime, a stunning crimson, is now my go-to shade for the times I feel like celebrating.” - PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO, Editor-in-Chief 2 PRIME SUSPECTS SAVE: “SUNNIES FACE The Perfector (P595) is a dual-ended primer and illuminator.…

Skincare aesthetics has been one of the biggest markets of the 21st century. According to a market research report published on marketsandmarkets.com, the global skin aesthetic market is expected to reach $15.9 billion in 2025 from $9.4 billion this year. One insight is that even with the pandemic, consumers focus even more on beauty and skincare. Taking a piece of this pie are business partners Chris Cachuela and Benedict Sy through Avignon Clinic. A clinic that was 10 years in the making, Avignon has slowly risen to becoming one of the most popular aesthetic clinics in the country since it opened last year. “Avignon Clinic was established to make world class machines and products accessible to the Filipino. We believe that we deserve the best treatments and should not be…

The family Atienza is a household name, but Atienza-Valdepeñas is someone who uses her own voice to amplify those of the Filipinos that need to be heard, especially now more than ever. A TV host and a kindhearted soul, who, even in time of distress and fear, keeps her faith. By doing so, she found an abundance in a desert as she would like to say. She radiates an understanding comfort of her existence defined to make a positive difference in the world. Possessing an opinion about what her eyes and ears so keenly observe, she strives to break the cycle of poverty and helplessness by speaking when no one dares to and instilling back hope to those in despair. Atienza-Valdepeñas recognizes and owns the potential of her platform to…

Here’s the thing about being an “it girl”: “it” giveth, “it” taketh away. There’s a reason the title is often associated with a reign—it has a beginning, a peak, and an end that’s almost as certain as a scandal and the obligatory “Where is She Now?” article a decade later. Such is not the case for Isabelle Daza, who found fame as an It Girl and has somehow navigated an otherwise predetermined fate with equal parts tenacity, finesse, and that thing called “it.” Now a wife, mother, and successful businesswoman at 32, her evolution continues as she settles into a life she’s so masterfully designed. “This year made me realize that anything can happen. So it’s important that you must be flexible to adapt,” she says. Despite constantly being under…

Beneath the glitzy trappings is fashion’s cutthroat industry. Whether you’re a business owner who survived the pandemic or a creative on the brink of a burnout, being able to make it to the end of the year is already worth treasuring. Now that we’re coming to terms with all the changes, it’s time to adapt. Can’t go shopping? Add to cart through their website. Can’t host a show for your collection? Launch an Instagram filter or create a fashion film. That’s how the industry’s been catching up: building a system on what technology, and society, provides. As the year comes to a close, let’s try to make the best and the most of it—perhaps that’s the biggest learning from all of this.…

How does one make the human body the focal point of a collection without the negative connotation? How does one tell a story that goes beyond the superficial? Young designer Kelvin Morales lets us inside his mind and explores the depth of anatomy in the form of wearable clothing. Colorized synthetic hair swatches, sheers, a flesh-colored palette and tattoo-like embroideries make up the collection. His brand, also known as K/M, is known to be experimental. He stands by the belief that his vision as a designer is not to conform to idealized beauty. “Our goal also is to be a global brand, that’s why our trade name logo is like a kilometer and we want to move and introduce our brand to another culture and consumers,” Morales reveals. His introspection…

WHAT CHANGES HAPPENED IN YOUR MINDSET BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC? The pandemic has brought me back to what’s most important to me, my relationships with my family and friends. Because of the lockdown, we were all forced to stay at home, and this allowed me to redevelop my bond with my children and partner. It’s like everything in my life halted and was put on pause and I was reminded of why I work so hard and it has always been for my family. WE’VE SEEN YOU GO OUT OF YOUR WAY DONATING ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHY DO YOU THINK GIVING BACK IS SO IMPORTANT? The fact that the whole world was suffering from this pandemic made me realize that when all materials things are stripped away, we all…

Discreet isn’t usually the term used to describe how Filipinos celebrate the holidays. No, we like to be grand, over the top. Our champagne must come with sparklers, the food more than we can handle. We’re also loud—from the decorations to the carols sung in the street. But things are very different this year, no thanks to the pandemic. The mood is bluer, pitched a few notes down the scale of merry. Like we’ve done so many times this year, it’s time to revisit our reasons for doing. Over the years, many of us have gotten lost in the glitz and drunk merriment of the season, failing to understand its essence, how it brings people together in love and harmony. Now is perhaps the best time to celebrate Christmas—from gifting…

There comes a time in everyone’s life when we realize that gravity is winning the war on aging. For many, premature aging is usually seen in the eye area, where fine lines, sagging skin, dark circles and puffiness make even us look wan, tired and, well, aged. It’s easy to let it go and just give in to the laws of physics, but for those who refuse to give up without a fight, there are still other ways. Creams, surgery and even injectables like Botox and fillers all work to varying degrees of efficacy, but more and more people are turning to thread lifts to refresh their looks. While this minimally invasive procedure is commonly done in many aesthetic clinics, the difference in a well-done lift comes down to the…

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Committing to a thick curtain of hair requires a proper routine to keep it full and stunning. Give your scalp a pamper session with a hair mask once a week. A full ‘70s blow-out is also a good idea to show off gorgeous tresses “MOM, I AM A RICH MAN” We can thank the iconic Cher for showing us how to rock long, pin-straight hair. A severe middle-part will accentuate your features and slicking on hair oil will help achieve shiny hair like the singing superstar DANCING QUEEN The best part of having length is the endless possibilities to make your mane style come alive. Add some texture to the hair by creating dramatic tight curls up to the ends of the strands GET DOWN Don’t let…

These past few months–or rather majority of year–Filipinos have had their fair share of wins and losses. Since we are about a month away from the beginning of another year, we can’t deny that a continuous improvement in everyone’s lives is what we all have on our Christmas wish lists. This built-up hopeful outlook for the future enables us to have different ways of turning each gloomy day around. There are those who focus on work, while others spend more time with family. But for those who alleviate stress by giving themselves a little bit more attention, the Olay BodyScience Body Wash with Niacinamide series is the go-to fix. Given that uneven skin tone is a very popular skin concern among Filipinos, Olay has introduced the gold standard in achieving…

The first time we encountered Romero Jennings five years ago, we were industry newbies. Us, not him. When he arrived in Manila to introduce the key looks and trends straight from the Fashion Week runways, Jennings was already a master at his craft with over two decades of experience working in the fashion and beauty capitals of the world. As the Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC Cosmetics, Jennings was privy, not only to the latest product innovations, but also to what was percolating in the streets and trending in celebrity circles. He was, in short, a big deal. Yet he insisted on carrying his own bags. Many of the editors who attended the media event held in Boracay were surprised that Jennings not only carried his own makeup case—but…

It has been sounding like a broken record every time someone mentions the pandemic and how it changed our lives forever. But it is the only explanation that makes sense with our current situation and every other remarkable change that will happen in the near future. With all the negativity happening in the world right now, the only way we can move past it is seeing every silver lining we can in the everyday and celebrating every new day that we are given to be better and to be alive. For our holiday issue, we go back to basics and celebrate life’s simple pleasures with Isabelle Daza. While busy with her many responsibilities, from being an endorser to a fitness enthusiast and mental health advocate, Daza’s most important role is…