Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2019 i MEGA

Dear MEGA, It wasn’t expected of you, but I was particularly pleased and moreso inspired when your June issue came out celebrating pride in different ways. With Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, your story roused my nationalistic pride, one that leaned itself on the values and hard work that our queen put into the pageant, as well as with her reign now. While there are months to come, I personally cannot wait to see what else she will succeed at as the queen we need right now. Meanwhile, having Manila Luzon on your cover revealed to many the wonders of the drag fandom, but it also highlighted the issues and struggles of every queen. Most importantly, we have a member of the LGBTQIA+ community living their truth out loud. Bravo…

We live and breathe in a world where surface is the only thing that matters. A space where most of the time, guards are up, self-esteem is crestfallen and mankind only grows more uncomfortable day by day in the skin they’re in. People tend to forget its power. Their power. The skin is the largest organ in the body, literally existing as a barrier between the heart, the eyes and the mind. This month, we unravel one’s true self beginning withethereal beauty ErichGonzales on the cover, swathed in breathtaking, free-flowing silhouettes. In Designer Profile, Puey Quinones talks about reinventing himself whereas newcomer Chris Nick reveals the grit behind all the glamour in New Kids on the Block. In Get Ready to Wear, the color brown remains at the forefront of…

STYLE TIP Stick to the classics with quilted pieces in red and black…

Since 2006, luxury jewelry brand Cartier holds the Cartier Women’s Initiative every year—an international business competition created to support innovative projects led by women entrepreneurs. Founded by the brand in partnership with leading graduate business school INSEAD, the program aims to encourage participants from all over the world to solve contemporary global challenges. This year, seven laureates of the 2019 edition of the Cartier Women’s Initiative were revealed at their annual Awards ceremony, located at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco. With the ceremony’s theme as “The Ripple Effect,” the ceremony wanted to pay tribute to entrepreneurs who served as catalysts for change and growth within and outside their communities. The program started with discussions such as their “Meet & Learn” sessions, led by guest…

Queen Street West, a quaint store reminiscent of a Wong Kar Wai film located in the heart of San Juan carries local brands both old and new. It’s rare to find a label nowadays that doesn’t pull too hard on the purse strings without sacrificing quality and craftsmanship. It’s the brainchild of two notable Filipino designers—Noel Crisostomo and Roland Alzate. “We, Roland and I, work with private and affluent clienteles separately and we put these visions and concepts altogether to form Queen Street West,” reveals Noel. The story behind the namesake label came from the street where he used to have his studio in Downtown Toronto. But how does one tread through the obstacles of retail in this day and age? “Fortunately for us, QSW (Queen Street West) had a…

Carol De Leon’s easy and laidback style along with her golden tan and beach waved hair definitely spells out Cali Vibes. But what sets her apart from everyone else is a kind of Filipina warmth that is undeniable. Add that up with a sharp business acumen, we see a formidable Filipina we could all admire and look up to. With her dad working as an architect and her mom doing social work, Carol’s destiny as a designer wasn’t obvious at first. But since moving to Los Angeles when she was four, she found herself sketching designs on her father’s drafting table. She admits that the custom-made pieces she and her family would wear when they were still in Manila had a special place in her heart. Her mom was extremely…

"What happened to me 10 years ago is not what defines me,” Puey Quiñones says when asked about his return from the blunder that almost cost him his career in the local fashion industry. “It’s what propelled me to become who I am today.” Just when everyone thought that he’s gone for good, the designer now returns with a thundering homecoming claiming he’s back with a newfound passion. “I think I am back for good!” he says enthusiastically as if nothing else can bring him down. Ten years ago, Puey was caught in an issue of retagging a suit from a retail brand as his own. This has caused him to do just about everything he can to survive after losing most of his clientele. He opened up his home…

Our skin is our biggest organ, a fact that has caused many of us to obsess over it, slathering it with creams and serums to treating it to lasers and crystals. Perhaps it’s because good-looking skin is such a priority, it takes us a long time to get comfortable with it. This month, we focus on the skin and how to make it look better, through skincare and makeup (see Hot & Fresh), and how treating it well lets us go beyond the superficial (check out Issa Pressman in Beauty Blog) and in the case of one woman, give it a Happy Lift (see Turn Back Time).…

GRACEFUL LIVING This brand has many of what we love about French perfume: a history rooted in family and tradition, a penchant for natural ingredients, quietly elegant packaging, and heady blends of classic scents that manage to be fresh and distinct. Apart from the range of eau de toilettes and colognes, distilled soaps and creamy lotions are also available to perfume and nourish the skin—and decorate our bathroom shelves. We love the 1902 MILLE FLEURS Soap and the Hand Cream. COMFORT WEAR There are many, many matte liquid lipsticks that offer beautiful, vibrant color that lasts all day. Yet most still dry out our lips, leaving them feeling and looking worse for wear. MAX FACTOR LipFinity Velvet Matte (P595) doesn’t do any of those thanks to the presence of hydrating…

GOLDEN LIGHT A smoky eye and glossy lip is a tried-and-true night out look. Tie everything together with radiant skin that is warmed up and lit up with shimmer. Try HOURGLASS Nude Bronze Light (P3150). BRIGHT IDEA A pop of color—via a glossy mouth can be all you need to brighten your complexion. Try ESTÉE LAUDER Pure Color Love Lipstick in Raw Sugar (P1350). CANDY CRUSH Luscious caramel, burnt brown sugar and deep dark chocolate have us licking our lips in anticipation. Try GUERLAIN La Petite Robe Noir in Latte Lace (P1642). SPICE GIRL Fire up the smoky eye with shades of spice—think cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of cayenne. Add fluttery faux lashes, a slick of gloss on the lips and get ready to smoke out the competition. Try…

We love a good It Girl but when you spot one with hair that is one-part platinum blonde and the other raven black, we do a good ol’ tap back on that Instagram Story. Yet Issa Pressman’s hair isn’t the most eye-catching thing about her—in fact, everything about her demands a second glance, and a third, and fourth. Her style is fresh, edgy, and almost always evolving. It’s trendy but definitely not in the mainstream. The influencer/painter/illustrator/makeup artist is the consummate creative and a powerhouse style star to boot. More significantly, Pressman is a personality who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and live her life as she wants, which is exactly what she did when she came out with her girlfriend this year. Her candor and refreshing take on…

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’s Makati, Greenbelt 4; KATE SPADE…

Here’s an odd truth: I actually forgot I was being accorded the opportunity to meet and eventually throw in a question to Chris Pratt, Hollywood A-Lister and yes, a Guardian of the Galaxy. Don’t get me wrong though, it isn’t as if I like the guy, because going way back to his Parks & Recreation days, I was already a fan. This time, however, he only slightly lorded over by another figure that I consider a rockstar, Victor Sanz. To the visibly unaware, and perhaps even longtime fans of the luggage and lifestyle brand, Tumi, his name won’t necessarily ring a bell, but his imprint is all over your choice of anything from the Alpha, A2, Bravo, Arrivé, Virtue, Haydon, Los Altos, Tegra-Lite, Tegra-Lite Max, and the brand’s first-ever aluminum…

20s COCOA BUTTER KISSES The utilitarian trend may look street, but don’t be fooled by its cutting-edge tailoring STYLE TIP Combine earthy hues and roomy silhouettes for a refined look 30s CARAMEL CITY Raw edges are a key detail for pre-fall, but they don’t have to feel too rustic STYLE TIP Mules are the perfect transitional piece for each season 40s CHOCOLATE DAYDREAM Femininity rendered in boxy, structured silhouettes make up an impeccable ensemble STYLE TIP Channel your inner Grace Kelly in polished pieces…

BRACE YOURSELF The Manchette version showcases a new level of luxury with scattered jewels and the off-center placement of the watch…

At 22, Kerry Tinga’s made quite a name for herself. Having finished law school at the prestigious University College London, devoting most of her time to the business development arm at Meridian International (MINT) College, whether it’s developing new learning systems together for the out-of-school youth with the Information Technology team or fleshing out the Fashion Design program with international couturier Lesley Mobo, the girl has a lot on her plate. Much like Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist in Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ Kerry is full of wisdom. A young woman with a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous. When asked what made her decide to invest on new learning aids for the youth, she answered with a sense of serenity, ‘we have all these tools and privileges…

WHAT IS YOUR FASHION PHILOSOPHY? I like to mix it up—a bit vintage, a bit tribal, a bit designer a bit street style. When you mix, there are no rules, you have to be confident and make it your own look. Coming from LA, the casual look is very important to master. You would never find me to be over dressed for any occasion; it’s not a good look if you’re trying too hard. WHAT ABOUT FASHION INSPIRES YOU? At the moment I’m very much inspired by our indigenous communities. I have so far worked with 14 indigenous communities and it’s been absolutely fulfilling. There is a certain magic and purity working with indigenous patterns and symbols that have not changed since the beginning of time. The preservation of these…

Time to bare it all. The MEGA editors share their ink stories in Feature Story. Different reasons, different designs, but in the end, it was all done for love. In Food, feisty upstart La Pícrra manages to marry two cultures—Spanish and Filipino—with a complicated relationship and create an unforgettable dining experience. Lastly, in People, meet the Filipinos making a difference in the world: the 2019 MEGA Pinoy Pride awardees .…

Timing is everything in a city that is up 24/7. Every second counts and a minute could mean the difference between finding a parking slot and making it to your morning meeting to being stuck outside your building for that same length of time. With so many of us cramming so much work during the day, who has time to take a proper lunch break—or find good healthy food for that matter? Everyone knows that healthy food is a must, especially for the stressed-out urbanites, but it’s just difficult to get to it—unlike the fast food joints that are found in every corner of the city. Thankfully, food delivery services have stepped up their game in recent years. One of them is Green Giant Salad, which offers thoughtfully-designed meal programs…

BIG FOOT A few dabs here, a bit of blending, et voila! L’OREAL PARIS Infallible More Than Concealer (P450) is perhaps all you need for fantastic, matte, even-toned skin all day. With its jumbo-sized doe foot applicator and easy-to-blend, full-coverage formulation, its ideal for women who have no time to fuss. GET CHEEKY WITH IT Local brand Sunnies Face have done it again. SUNNIES FACE Airblush (P445) is more than worthy of its status as a makeup must-have; the six universally-flattering shades feel silky on the skin and can go from a vibrant to soft with just a few taps of the finger, brush or sponge. The soft-focus effect is real, and it works just as well on bare skin as on top of makeup. We adore all the shades,…

Dior’s Wild Earth collection was inspired by the elements. From the earth’s rough terrain to the precious stones and minerals found deep within it. Think fiery metals, endless sand dunes and polished obsidian glinting under the unforgiving summer sun. The 5 Couleurs eye shadow palettes shimmer like a distant oasis, filled with shades that resemble a safari adventure: luminous sand, juicy tangerines hanging low from the tree, a flash of icy blond hair tucked underneath a silk scarf. The Dior Vernis collection continues this trend, a drop of icy blue surrounded by shades of earth, from bleached stone to sodden leaves. On the lips, the tubes of Dior Addict Lip Tattoo run wild with breathless color—a golden dune, desert rose, and the rocky horizons. This is the earth, boundless and…

There is courage in showing who you truly are to the world. With the rise of social media we see only the best version of ourselves and our idols on every post. Many apps can easily distort bodies and faces to create the most ideal self we wish to become. That’s all well and good but sometimes we need to celebrate the journey getting there and that is the body, the face, and the spirit of our now. This month, we remove all the covers and study the idea of natural beauty and everything that enhances it. Who better to showcase this than the inimitable beauty that is Erich Gonzales. Known for her flawless skin and unmatched acting on the big screen, we go full feminine with her in different…

Two years in the industry is considered a very, very long time, especially since everything seems to be hopped up on steroids and speed these days. And in those two years, as with anything left to the clutches of time, a lot can change. But not Alden Richards, who despite that interval hasn’t changed one bit. Well, maybe just by a hair. No, really, we mean his hair. Sporting a scruffier, more laidback look, the actor is still the same nicest, kindest, and most disarmingly generous person we’ve had the pleasure of working with. Yes, these are a lot of extremes, but he really is quite the genuine spirit. Where he has always coiffed up and dressed to precision in the past, we deliberately took an ease to him, decking…

While our mothers or the generation before them weren’t as particularly obsessed with taking care of their skin, I can honestly say that today, Filipino women are more knowledgeable and serious about their skin. It goes without saying that skin is having a moment. Going a little bit scientific about it, we know that skin is the largest organ in our bodies, one that shields us from all external factors that we meet in our daily lives—stress, pollution, sun damage…the list is endless. So, it’s paramount, in this age especially, to take good care of it. With all the diverse choices in the beauty industry today, it is only a matter of preference on what to buy, undergo or swear allegiance to. There are vast options for skincare—from lines that…

The pearl has always been one of the most classic accessories of all time. Add pearl earrings to a simple outfit and it instantly elevates the look, creating a more sophisticated look. Living in an archipelago, Filipinos are very much familiar with the beauty and elegance that the pearl brings. A globe-trotting French photographer saw the same charm and gifted the Japanese woman he loves and would later marry with a necklace of Akoya pearls. Their love soon blossomed and the fascination for pearls cultivated along the coasts of Japan and turned into Misaki Monaco, a luxury jewelry brand specializing in both cultured pearls, as well as crafted glass pearl beads. A brand that started in 1987, the couple would fly between France and Japan and turned their brand as…

DESCRIBE YOUR AESTHETIC! WHAT IS YOUR STYLE PHILOSOPHY? It is a bit hard for me to describe my aesthetic because it changes with how I feel when I wake up in the morning. If I had to say something about it, I would say that it is extremely feminine, bohemian with a bit of disco to keep it youthful. My style philosophy involves never sticking to one specific style, but being open to new pieces that build on each other. My wardrobe is filled with pieces that have caught my eye so much so that it can seem a bit eclectic. I especially love finding accessories from local stores and market vendors that have a cultural or historical story behind them, such as retro shades from a second hand store…

An excerpt from the novel Interview With The Vampire once read, “all was embraced by her (Paris), by her volatile and enchanted populace thronging the galleries, the theaters, the cafes, giving birth over and over to genius and sanctity, philosophy and war, frivolity and the finest art.” Ask any artist who their muse is and they’ll probably have a persona in mind. Gianni Versace had Naomi Campbell, Hubert de Givenchy had Audrey Hepburn and Jean Paul Gaultier had Madonna. For young designer and rising couturier Chris Nick, it’s the city of Paris—and of course, Miss Hepburn too. If anything else, Paris’ catastrophic proclivities may seem disquieting but one cannot appreciate its enchanting allure without the other. Much like any other human being. This irony is also reflected in Chris’ design…

MARK OF MEMORY “Tattoos always fascinated me, even as a young child. But, of course, just like most of us, I was raised to believe that it was a mark of someone who had gone astray or was, you know, too cool for the rigors of society. Needless to say, I never had the courage to get one, apart from the temporary ones of our childhood or the haphazard one I drew on my arm as inspired by the arm band of Melanie C. (aka Sporty Spice). This all changed a little after I won MEGA Fashion Crew many moons ago where I anchored everything on unerring faith. The word is now forever etched on my left wrist to remind myself to keep holding on even when the going gets…

CORY VIDANES MEGA NEW PH AWARDEE What makes a great leader? Threshing this obliges many a steadfast stakeholder in a workforce to draw out a checklist that will, based on a greater common denominator, include talent, tenacity, and tenure, as well as confidence, charm, and a necessary courage. Many things for many people, it becomes clear as the conversation persists that instead of chasing a near-impossible beacon of authority, one will ask: What makes a leader effective? More than just sitting atop a chain of command, this figure of guidance transcends mere leadership when subjected to a trying circumstance that compels one to take an informed and intuitive decision that will benefit not just one, but the greater good of all concerned. “I believe an effective leader takes responsibility for…

CELEBRITY SKIN When it comes to luxury skincare, few can compare to La Prairie. Known for their extensive research and use of precious and rare materials, the brand’s hefty price tags are mere drops compared to its legion of loyal followers. Of the various collections, the White Caviar collection has become a quick favorite in Asia, as we are obsessed with radiant, clear skin. LA PRAIRIE White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion and the White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire (prices available upon request) are a one-two punch in defeating discoloration caused by UV rays, stress, pollution, and other aging agents. Used together, the proprietary Illuminating Compound and Golden Caviar Extract result in an "Equation of Light.” That’s luminous, youthful skin to you and me. SECRET GARDEN HERMÈS Un Jardin Sur La Lagune…

While aging is an inevitable reality we have to face, looking old is now something we can escape. With all the advances in cosmetic procedures that are readily available in the market, one can easily pick a treatment depending on one’s needs or concerns. Most doctors still agree that a facelift remains the gold standard in facial rejuvenation because of its ability to effectively redefine the jawline or modify a sagging neck. However, it is an invasive procedure that requires a lot of preparation, pain and down time. Thus, options such lasers and focused ultra sound have risen in popularity alongside minimally-invasive procedures such as botulinum toxins, fillers and thread lifts. WHAT IS HAPPY THREAD LIFT? According to Section Chief of facial plastic surgery, Department of Otolaryngology at the Asian…

“You know what’s awkward,” a friend asked over dinner. “Seeing someone in person and realizing that they look nothing like their latest photo on Instagram,” he adds. He was absolutely right. More and more have a distorted (and outright delusional) fantasy on social media, and now more than ever, it is glaring and bothersome. Although, to be completely fair, I’m also not an angel. On numerous occasions, I edited my photos using Spring to make myself appear taller, slimmer, and my head a bit smaller. I would get a reality check when someone would gift me with a shirt, but in the wrong size. Because I was dishonest, I could never wear and enjoy garments accorded to me. Big mistake. I also know of people that use not just Spring,…