Tabla de contenidos para March 2021 en MEGA

It’s been exactly a year since the pandemic hit—altering our lives completely. I won’t sugarcoat it: it’s been mostly terrible and I feel for those whose lives were were completely upended. But despite everything, I am still hopeful that some good came out of it. I would like to think that some people have had meaningful realizations and perhaps used this time to better themselves both physically and mentally. Some learned a new skill or turned a hobby into something more serious. Some pivoted their businesses, changed their strategies and went on unchartered territory, completely abandoning the old ways. Others relentlessly pursued their passions, finding creative and resourceful ways to continue on with something they love despite the limitations. As they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way. This…

There is no doubt that the Philippines is a cradle for design creatives. Fashion designers such as Josie Natori, Bea Valdes and shoe designer Kermit Tesoro are just some of the names that have made waves in the global market, proving that the Filipino is indeed world class. The Department of Trade and Industry validates their talent, as well as acknowledging the need to discover new ones, by investing in the ever-growing shoe and leather industries, through the Shared Services Facilities and its new technologies for prototyping and feasibility studies. At the forefront of this movement are the Philippine Footwear Organizers who partnered with DTI to create the Filipino Footwear Design Competition, a national competition that is often the precursor to the most awaited International Footwear Design Competition. On their…

It’s not by coincidence that our passions issue also falls on Women’s History Month. MEGA has always been and will always be a feminist and an ally to the LGBTQIA+. This month, we look back into our history and recognize some of the leading female lights, from presidents to actresses, rebels and professionals. These are some of the women we wish would be mentioned in the same breath as other internationally-recognized female figures, like Hilary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai. It’s not easy being a female in the Philippines, much less a strong one with ambitions. Discover them in People. The Christine Dacera case rocked the new year, and months later, many questions are still left unanswered, and many lives have been wronged. In Forvm we revisit the blatant misogyny that…

Color is back in a big way. The new mood is in need of cheering up, desiring positivity and hope, and many have found it in a tube of lipstick or a palette of vivid eye shadows. Solace and inspiration can be gleaned in the ritual of skincare, and this has seeped into color. The act ranges from polishing our natural features to creating a persona or making a statement. We then share this to the world, whether that world is within the immediate four walls of our homes or to the expanse of the virtual landscape. Color is indeed back, as is our desire to create, to connect and to behold a brave new present.…

A relationship between a father and son is truly special, so when Rajo Laurel flew to Japan to be with his father, currently serving as the Philippine ambassador to Japan and who has been isolated since the beginning of the pandemic, there was a newfound sense of sentimentality that embraced the younger Laurel. This was a chance for him to create his third collection since the pandemic, and a way to center his brand to a more responsible and compassionate ethos. The collection is an ode to authentic elegance with its sense of control and restraint. Shot in The Kudan, the residence of the Philippine ambassador to Japan, Laurel comes full circle with a campaign that is innocent, simple and exudes a certain child-like wonder unique to a father and…

The overcast skies were just as heavy in Manila as they were in Bali, Indonesia. We received a message from Maggie Wilson-Consunji, asking if we were going to push through with a supposedly sun-drenched cover shoot. We have to, we message her back, let’s make the best of it? And just like she’s done, time and time again, our cover star went for it, diving deep into chilly waters, posing in an itty-bitty little red bikini that would make most people blush, grabbing a gigantic hat and heading straight into the wildly crashing surf. Maggie Wilson-Consunji loves a good challenge, and if there’s anyone who can make things work when the clock’s ticking, it’s her. From Manila, we followed her shoot, the gloomy skies mirroring on our screens. But while…

As we celebrate Women’s Month, MEGA would like to take the time to feature women who shaped Philippine history. There is no shortage of notable Filipino women and whatever compendium exists in our collective memory would span pages. In the face of constant violence and oppression from patriarchal institutions, there is so much hope to be gleaned from all the women who dared to break barriers. I had my own discussion groups with girlfriends about this list, talking about our heroes and their cultural impact. Is it enough to be a pioneer? Is it enough to be the best in your field? Do we weigh the individual’s contribution or do we study the role in a communal endeavor? In the end, we treated the selection process like a meditation on…

1 NO EXCESS BAGGAGE “I gravitate towards a product that’s multi-functional and easy to use, especially when I travel. It lessens the things I need to bring, and I end up with an edited makeup kit. An example of this is the SHISEIDO Minimalist Whipped Powder Blush (P2000). It has a creamy, light texture that is pigmented and buildable, depending on your desired effect. I use it, not only as a blush, but also as a base for my eye makeup. Lastly, I apply it to my lips with a gloss. It gives off a monochromatic look that has maximum impact.” - Peewee Reyes-Isidro, Editor-In-Chief 2 CULT STATUS “The mother of all multi-tasking products, NARS The Multiple (P2980) in their bestselling shade Orgasm remains a favorite for good reason: the…

PASSION PROJECTS In these unique times we have been given the opportunity to look inward and realize the most important things in our lives. It has given us a chance to refocus our efforts and ascertain which relationships, careers and hobbies deserve the most of it. In this issue we talk about the passions that started out as pastimes and passions that were ignited because of the need to become more than the mundane. With a love for the sea and designing spaces that feel like home, Maggie Wilson-Consunji becomes the center of our issue. She shoots in beautiful Bali where her energy is at its most potent. Wearing pieces that are light and airy and reflect the colors of nature, we go back to basics with Maggie and revel…

I’s been a year since the pandemic. Unfortunately, we’ve spent most of our year in isolation, that 2020 feels like a glitch. One way or another, the sudden reset was waiting to happen and evidently, the world needed a little shake up. With everything else being taken away in the blink of an eye, ask yourself—what’s worth keeping? This month, we celebrate passion. The March issue is about reclaiming control over yourself, shifting the narrative to the future, and what lies ahead of us. Less excess and more empathy, more hope and less gloom. The pace may be slower this time around, but being mindful and certain about the world is the only way to trust it.This is no longer the new normal, but it is the new future.…

If you want to know what mantra host Maggie Wilson-Consunji lives by, just take a look at her back. Tattooed in cursive along her spine are the words, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” She was fearless as a child. “My parents made sure that I was competitive,” she says, recalling how athletic she was as a kid, trying out swimming, tennis, and volleyball while living in Saudi Arabia. “I was fearless in making decisions so it was kind of practice for me.” She was fearless at 14, when she decided to stay in the Philippines to model after being scouted while on vacation, and in her every decision since. Her life has been a series of bold steps and her daring has landed her multiple titles: Actress (Encantadia,…