Tabla de contenidos para December 2021 - January 2022 en MEGA

As the year comes to an end and the promise of a new beginning is upon us, may we use this to time to reflect on the things that truly matter. Whether it’s the gift of health, time, money or family, one thing is for certain: we all have a lot to be thankful for. So recognize the blessings and opportunities that you’ve received this challenging year because it would be a mistake not to do so. Ultimately it is the simple pleasures and mundane things we deem not so important that end up being the most significant. While our situation is far from perfect, things are slowly getting better and things are picking up. It is important to do your part and learn from the past to be properly…

Bringing the spirit of the Amazon from Greek mythology, Spanish fashion house Loewe celebrates their 175th anniversary with the rebirth of one of their most iconic bags, the Amazona. The redesigned bag now comes in two styles: the Amazona 19 Square and Amazona 28, and in a range of bold colored nappa calfskin and the house’s anagram symbol woven in jacquard. The origins of the bag can be traced back to 1975, a time when women were demanding for equality and independence in the workplace. In turn, Loewe created the Amazona for women who needed a well made, luxurious and yet practical bag, able to tote their essentials for the day. For the redesign, key details such as the removable and adjustable shoulder straps and zips were made more slender;…

Christmas is almost here, and so is the time for gift giving—and what better gift to give your loved ones this holiday season than the gift of time? This Christmas, OMEGA offers classic timepieces that will stand the test of time I WANT ADVENTURE For the person who loves adventure, then the Seamaster Dive 300M 007 Edition is the perfect gift. Not only is it the timepiece that James Bond wore in the film No Time To Die, it also has a lightweight design made from grade 2 titanium. With its classic colors and details, this OMEGA timepiece is undoubtedly the coolest gift this season. I WA NT SOPHISTICATION Featuring an 18k SednaTM gold case and a domed burgundy dial, the De Ville Trésor Small Seconds is the true embodiment…

Luxury has always played a major role in the beauty industry. Before, there was the so-called Lipstick Index, a term coined by the chairman of Estée Lauder, which referred to the sales of beauty products—mostly lipstick—rising during an economic downturn. Little indulgences we call them. Unfortunately, in the case of COVID-19, this wasn’t the case. With people confined at home, anxious with cleanliness and “purifying” one’s space, and the reality of having to wear masks for the foreseeable future, beauty tanked—big time. And luxury in beauty, as we knew it, changed irrevocably. The term has now evolved to convey concepts of freedom and responsibility. There’s a tremendous focus on the comforting and uplifting aspects of beauty, as well as sustainability and inclusivity. Discover them in Tried & Tested, where editors…

I began my journey into beauty the same way most people do—through my mom and her makeup stash. I started by sneaking peeks whenever she got ready, asking what each product did, or I watched her as she styled her hair and did her nails. Then I started to experiment on myself. “If you don’t truly accept, understand and love yourself, you won’t enjoy the beauty process.” Beauty was fun then. I was Iwas I my mom, as most kids do. Then as I got older, my interest in makeup, and beauty as a whole, started to change. Puberty came on. I got acquainted with self-care products like deodorants, lotions, etc. This was also the time when I started to deviate from my mother. She was, let’s say, “privileged” to…

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for the culinary industry. Food is undoubtedly the center of every celebration causing restaurants to have long waiting lines outside their doors and a reservation list that is already full months before. But with the onslaught of the pandemic, special occasions now often call for a quiet, intimate setting that’s away from the crowds. With that said, this year marked a rise in “private dining,” where chefs are welcomed into the guests’ homes for a personalized service or where restaurants offer a chef’s table. This is a hidden dining space often situated near their kitchen where the chef greets diners and explains each course as they are brought out. Menus are also handcrafted depending on the theme and the individual…

How do we define luxury in this day and age? After all that has happened, is luxury still the most expensive thing money can buy? The moment that takes our breath away? Is it the moments that warm our hearts in a world that is all about glitz and glamour? Is it the meaning that gives something its value? In this month’s issue we explore the various concepts of luxury and discover what could be the most valuable of them all: freedom. A woman who is in full control of her destiny and our first cover star of the month is Ellen Adarna. She has been through everything since she became a star, but all throughout she has remained sure of herself and her decisions. Like her or not, her…

The celebrity bachelor falls in love with the industry’s girl crush– it’s practically the plot line of romantic-comedy movie, one you can’t help but swoon over. Yet somehow, in less than a year, it’s become the real-life romance of Derek Ramsey and Ellen Adarna. “After 44 years, I finally felt it, you know? This is the one. And I popped the question, she said yes, and here we go!” Ramsay says. People’s reactions were varied when they announced their engagement last March after two months of dating. From supportive comments and wishing them happiness to bashers saying it’s a fling that will soon fizzle out. Funnily enough, the couple was on the same page with skeptics before meeting each other, neither one looking for a relationship. The hunk was afraid…

Most of the time, we don’t realize that having choices qualify as a privilege. From the mundane, like which bag or lipstick shade to buy, or the more pivotal, such as where to live and which career to pursue, it's important to realize that not everyone has the same set. Choices are a type of luxury that many people take for granted. But not in this limbo—not anymore. Luxury itself is a divisive word. It might mean having expensive taste, but the context has changed for many, moving from the acquisition of things to creating meaningful life experiences. MEGA ends the year with the latter concept in mind. Through the luxury of freedom, we explore the essential choices we make for ourselves, our loved ones and those around us.…

Nothing says “celebration” quite like the wild riffs, upbeat tempo, and warm lyrics of Roger Glover’s song Love Is All. Gregarious and gorgeous, the 1974 hit is the perfect anthem for Cartier’s most-recent creation, a festive film of the same name, which pays homage to the French luxury house’s unparalleled heritage of fashioning the world’s most exciting celebrations. Commemorating the spirit of delight and generosity, Cartier’s Love Is All is a universal ode to love that encourages us to get our dancing shoes ready and paint the town red because we’re also invited to the party. Directed by British director and fashion photographer Charlotte Wales, Love Is All simply represents the vision of a Maison that celebrates universal and timeless love. Given that the holiday season is also upon us,…

wind down “After a long day of work, I look forward to a little pampering before I call it a night. I’m currently into the LAURA MERCIER Luxe Indulgence Almond Coconut Triplet (P5250). It’s a kit that consists of a body wash, body cream and fragrance. The unique blend of milk, coconut, almond, vanilla and musk gives off a warm and comforting scent that reminds me that we all deserve some me-time.” Peewee Reyes-Isidro, Editor-in-Chief clear out “A gentle, thorough cleansing after a long day is especially soothing. I love using LA PRAIRIE Supreme Balm Cleanser (P10,000). Its velvety texture makes it easy to glide on the skin and gently remove all traces of makeup, sunscreen and dirt. With a small amount of product, I give my face a little…

It was just last year, where all of us had to accept that we would be ending the year in the comfort of our homes or at the most, using the advantage of staycations to recreate the feeling of a typical vacation. It was one of the rare times in the Philippines when traffic wasn’t 24/7 due to the Christmas rush and parolas didn’t cover the streets. It was quiet and somehow somber, but it was necessary to keep everyone safe. Nonetheless, the “new normal” holidays are looking brighter this year with borders opening up and restrictions in movement within and outside the country are easing. And many of us are already putting in place the scrapped vacations we’ve had for more than a year. According to the latest Finder’s…

LONG LIVE THE LEGS Why not layer your bottoms for a change with high ombré stockings, technicolor leggings, and a velvet bodycon dress On feet IN MY AREA Even with just a two-tone look, make it more expressive by clashing textures with a cashmere vest, leather corset, and sheer dress. On feet EXTRA ENOUGH Give your outfit an unexpected twist with asymmetric cuts and a head-turner statement piece, even if it’s on your feet. On feet…

ÉLAN WEAR Holidays in paradise call for looks that exude a sexy, celebratory vibe. One local brand that does exactly that is élan wear by Pamela Andres. “There was a hole in the Philippine market that doesn’t cater luxury resort wear. I was always inspired by many things that revolve around the summer season, nature and the women who thrive in this environment. That eventually became the direction of élan,” shares Andres. With a new collection inspired by the youthful beauty of Juliet Capulet, élan is set to capture a new set of women who love chic cut-outs, dainty ruching and delicate chain details. www.elan-wear.com SASSA JIMENEZ When it comes to festive dressing, no one comes close to the frothy pieces of Sassa Jimenez. Delicate ruching and sheer layers are…

Being in lockdown can certainly be likened to limbo. Empty streets, reduced interactions and the same old routine, day in, day out. While it’s not quite dystopia, young designer Antonina’s latest ready-to-wear collection reimagines the world through elements that show the struggles she faced during the pandemic. Prints consisting of running stitches digitally designed in collaboration with artist Felicity Gail, the constant mismatch of patterns and prints all symbolize Antonina’s emotions from recent months. The designer has always had a distinctive approach to her creations. In her past shows at Bench Fashion Week and Rakuten Fashion Week in Tokyo, she made use of her younger sister’s embroidered illustrations as the primary element in the looks. She’s also created collections with the working class in mind, featuring floursack jackets and pants…

When we talk about beauty, we often think of the statuesque, youthful and slender. That is exactly what Dr. Ailynne Vergara-Wijangco, a board certified dermatologist of the Philippine Dermatological Society, represents and so much more. As a dermatologist, self-care is part of Wijangco’s main philosophies, and it’s clear as her beauty reflects with how she interacts with people. Light and always ready to have fun, Wijangco is a great model for everyone who visits her clinics. For her, the beauty you can see on the facade has to also come from the inside. You’ll see it on her Instagram with words that promote self-love and self-care, giving a sneak peek of VW Dermatology’s holistic approach to beauty. At a very young age, Wijangco has found appreciation for anything beautiful. I…

When Sofia Andres first appeared on our radar, she was a teenaged model who was also making her mark as part of the new generation of teleserye leads. Beyond her pretty face, Andres has the charisma and talent to hold her own even when acting opposite the biggest names in the industry. Early last year, after taking a year off from the spotlight, she announced the new role she was taking on—as a mom to Zoe Natalia, her daughter with boyfriend and race car driver Daniel Miranda. Today, her Instagram is littered with photos of her wearing matching outfits with Zoe and videos of them playing around her vanity. “Our bonding moments include having her around me when I’m doing my makeup,” she gushes, sharing that her daughter is quickly…

he holidays are here T and we’re ready to celebrate—safely and with hope. The year has been, let’s say, odd. Most of us spent in confinement, but it was also marked by the grand reopening that saw many rush to the fore. Regardless of where one stands on the matter, we can agree that we’re all hoping for a better new year. But before we steel ourselves for the rush of the new, for now, let’s sit and indulge ourselves in some little luxuries and tend carefully to the new freedoms we have been afforded. In Travel, we list down some of the places you may now visit if you want a change of scenery. From the United States to Europe and any of our sunny isles, we’ve prepared the…

As the hospitality industry recovers from a harrowing COVID-19 pandemic, Accor Management and Araneta Hotels Inc., rests one of its most beloved spaces in the country in the hands of a charming Maria Manlulu-Garcia. Through her inspiring story of trials and tribulations, Novotel Manila’s number one in charge is empowering strong women like her to engage as the leaders they were born to be; one with the capacity to be firm and to be graceful when necessary. WITH POWER AND POISE Maria is a leader who exhibits three decades-worth of quality experience in her field. The veteran hotelier has worked in a variety of world-class accommodations around the globe from the Intercontinental Hotel in Portland, Oregon USA to the Sofitel Philippine Plaza right here at home. Equipped with a stern…