Índex per September 2022 a MEGA

September a is MEGA’s big fashion issue. In fact, it is one of the most anticipated issues of the magazine. In the past, we even traveled abroad to shoot the cover, produced the thickest fashion issue locally, and highlighted unexpected cover personalities. Needless to say, September is really a month where we go all out. Every September, we push for an idea or theme that is currently relevant, and we present it in the pages of the magazine via stories and editorials. The big idea is a reflection of the times, and we aim to document it and share this with our readers. Today, fashion is experiencing a revolution. We are no longer buying and wearing clothes only for the sake of being glamorous or stylish—we are also doing it…

In the wake of the overturn of the Roe v. Wade case that reverses the 1973 ruling, which established abortion as a constitutional right in America, women across the world have started to further question the security of their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in their own countries. In the Philippines, abortion remains illegal, but the number of women who undergo induced, unsafe abortion continues to increase every year. Conversations about abortion are a controversial but open secret for Filipinos. It has always been talked about but in a hushed manner, surrounded by stigma and shame. In high school, rumors surrounding reproduction can be full of strife: there was a common notion, for instance, that when a girl is suddenly absent for a long time, she’s probably pregnant.…

DOUBLE DUTY “CERAVE Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Sheer Tint (P1350) was probably made by the heavens for someone like me, who likes to wear as little product on her face as possible—I have uber-sensitive skin. Get this: Holy Grail of moisturizers + sun protection + sheer coverage foundation. It’s packed with hydrating ceramides and hyaluronic acid, making it cover so many bases at once. That equals fresh, dewy skin that’s shielded from early signs of aging. Can’t ask for more.” BAM ABELLON, MANAGING EDITOR #NOFILTER “One thing I’ve learned the hard way is that my skin hates foundation. Just a few hours of wearing one would lead to a major breakout. But that changed when I discovered the KOH GEN DO Maifanshi Aqua Foundation (P2750). One of the original…

SPECIAL FEATURES Regardless of age, we are always in the pursuit of beauty. Whether it's through makeup, skincare, or enhancements—we all want to feel beautiful. It is something that the founder and CEO of The Pretty You, Jessa Macaraig, also believes in. “Beauty starts from within, it is not merely physical. When you think beautifully, it reflects with your character, with the way you communicate, the way you see things, and the way you interact.” Founded in 2019, together with husband Marvin Macaraig, The Pretty You Aesthetic Clinic and Beauty Clinic is a one-stop shop for all beauty needs imaginable to propel and boost Filipinos’ confidence and to appreciate their own comeliness as well. However, when the onslaught of the pandemic hit the world, much of the beauty industry was…

Walking the biggest fashion shows, working with the best creatives, wearing the most fabulous gowns even before they hit the runways, traveling the world, and meeting people who live and breathe the sartorial glamor in its most brazen state—the models of the ’80s and ’90s were so fantastical they sounded like myths. In those pre-social media days, a young person’s dreams were seen on pages of magazines or newspapers, or on catwalk shows, which were barely televised. For a mere observer, that modeling world was ethereal. And the faces that carried those magnificent clothes and represented ideas were deemed majestic and almost unreachable. Fortunately, as the world evolved, these faces found their voice and the platforms through which they were able to share their vision and their thoughts. Through the…

Style With runways teeming with models, clothing racks bending under the weight of garments, and odd-come-shorts piling up with nowhere to go, it’s a congested world of fashion out there. But fate, sometimes, gives way for people with undeniable tenacity and innate brilliance—just like Anna Bayle, the first Asian supermodel. When we stray from the sometimes vicious, sometimes necessary path of creating and failing, we find ourselves tangled in the unconventional and the unexpected—concepts that surprisingly work in a highly saturated fashion space. As we assimilate in a circular economy and awaken our consciousness into the power our own stories hold, we, in more ways than one, change the ideals that dictate what stays and what goes. Perhaps, in our long, arduous search for the right way to go from…

FASHION FEATURE: KENNY LADAGA The most striking, divine blooms are nurtured in lands that are rich with what’s truly essential light, air, enrichment, space to grow, and a good amount of rain. Kenny Ladaga was just a young boy growing up in the small city of Tandag, Surigao Del Sur, when he started playing with paper dolls from newspaper and magazine cutouts. It wasn’t long before he nurtured this hobby and found happiness in sketching girl figures in gowns. “That’s the moment that I knew I’ll be a fashion designer,” he says proudly. After his college graduation in 2008, he had his first fashion-related job—and now, he’s already 12 years in the industry. When it comes to his identity as a fashion designer, Ladaga has always been fascinated with nature,…

Beauty They say that life begins at 40, or that the 30s are the new 20s–but at what age are we truly living our best life? We often worry that our prime has already passed based on social ideas and expectations. But for the beauty team, we believe that we are all on a constant journey of becoming. Take for example BJ Pascual, one of Manila’s hottest names in the industry, who had a slow but rewarding journey toward self-acceptance. Read about it in Beauty Blog. In Tried & Tested, rather than having one’s beauty be defined by a number, we also have the skincare and makeup products that allow our skin to be at its best shape, regardless of age. Lastly, in Main Beauty, we recreate the iconic looks…

Through the years, The Aivee Clinic has been gaining much popularity for its success in the dermatological industry—offering services that enhance its clients’ wellness by “Building the Aivee Confidence.” The clinic is not only committed to bringing the most excellent board-certified dermatologists and aestheticians, but also the world-class technology that’s guaranteed to give you the finest of luxury. Standing firm in this commitment to everyone, the clinic shared the best treatments it has to offer this 2022: 1 THE AIVEE CLINIC’S SOFWAVE TREATMENT Preferred by Joanna Preysler, this treatment works best for tightening and lifting the skin. It’s the clinic’s most advanced and non-invasive treatment which uses 3D ultrasound technology which targets fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy skin in the jowl, jawline, neck and other parts. This virtually painless procedure…

1992 HIGH GLOSS With cherry-red glossy lips, naturally curly hair, and flushed cheeks that matched her outfit, the magazine’s maiden issue featuring top Filipina model Gerone Oloricisimo set the tone of what a MEGA woman is: vibrant, stylish, and powerful 2001 NUDE REVOLUTION By the early 2000s, MEGA had already been dubbed oftentimes as the country’s authority in all things fashion and beauty as the “it-girls” of the time sported the hottest trends on the cover. For makeup, that meant velvet matte skin, perfect brown eyeshadow, and brown to sepia-toned lips 2008 SUGAR & SPICE While MEGA indulged in pop culture and high fashion, the magazine also embraced the power of bold, graphic makeup that was taking over the runways and the streets. Take for example pairing a pink lip…

The popular press may paint the modeling industry using the striking colors that come with big parties, lucrative shows, and highly influential people. But in their seemingly perfect and fascinating world, constant criticism, rejection, and long, long hours of work are part of a model’s presumed glamorous life. The faces of fashion destined to lead charged and impactful days on-and-off the runway are more than blank canvases and their perceived facades—they deserve platforms that allow them to be completely human, filled with hope, passion, and purpose. On February 11, 1987, the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) became the very first organization of its kind in Asia—and probably the world—to be run by models themselves. Each bearing an unyielding confidence rooted in their own talents, abilities, and capabilities to…

All set for the Fall season? Here are the top accessories you’d want to get your hands on—shoes, sunglasses, bags, and jewelry. Let this year be marked as your best style era yet. VALENTINO TAN-GO PLATFORM SANDALS These patent leather sandals with adjustable ankle strap and customized VLogo Signature buckle may just be one of the most comfortable platforms today—the chunky heels set perfect for that extra elevation. DIOR BUTTERFLY SUNGLASSES The house’s new hallmark line is in. With a sophisticated 1950s-inspired butterfly shape, the Miss Dior Butterfly sunglasses offer a new take on the signature branched construction. These statement sunglasses will complement any look with a balanced touch that’s both retro and modern VERSACE LA GRECA PLATFORM BOOTS On the lookout for the boots of the season? Versace’s La…

Features As humans, we have instinctive reactions to changes in our society, but it’s how we respond to these changes—whether we choose to be open and learn or we reject them entirely—that determines how they affect countless lives. In Forvm, we talk about how the recent overturn of the Roe v. Wade case in America made neighboring countries reflect on their own Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including our own existing Philippine laws that hinder the progression of bodily autonomy of women. Change is an inevitable part of life, but is it always a good thing? We’ll never know for sure, but we should start by understanding the realities of those who are seeking it.…

1 BLONDE AMBITION Bleached eyebrows, either you hate it or you love it, is the highly controversial beauty trend that has made a strong comeback on the runways. Top fashion houses, like Versace and Viktor & Rolf, had their models walk the runway with barely-there eyebrows to provide the perfect blank canvas for their dark makeup looks. It certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, but contrary to belief, you can try out the trend without ever touching a drop of peroxide. When choosing a brow tint, opt for two to three shades lighter than your natural brow color. Another option is to lay down your strands with some brow gel, brush them thoroughly with concealer, and set it all in with a loose powder. PRODUCTS: MAKE UP FOREVER Aqua…

BEAUTY BLOG “Would I have been a lot more successful if I started accepting myself earlier?” This is a question that often lingers at the back of BJ Pascual’s mind. It may seem ironic to come from the 34-year-old photographer whose work is on magazine covers, billboards, and ads for major brands all over the Philippines. If you would ask most top celebrities and models today who they dream to work with, his name would most likely be one of their answers. But during the beginning stages of his career, the lensman reveals that he had always concealed a part of himself: he never smiled in photos because he hated his teeth, which led to a preconceived idea of who he was; he only wore masculine silhouettes; and he was…

Fashion There’s a certain kind of unbeatable power that only exists when you’re the top of mind, the first among many who tried, and the set, unmatched standard that only few dare to surpass. This September 2022, we bring the originals—the Philippines’ original top models: Apples Aberin, Marina Benipayo, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Myrza Sison, and Rissa Mananquil Trillo. In celebration of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines’ (PMAP) 35th anniversary, we dive into the thriving world of modeling and fashion then and now—behind and beyond the glamor, the struggle, and the undying relevance of it all.…

SPECIAL FEATURES A camera is more than just a tool for capturing the perfect shot. It’s a tool for encapsulating your life—your style, your creativity, and a heap of unforgettable mementos. Taking a picture to express yourself to the digital world is easy. Taking it up a notch to showcase your true personality and aesthetic is where Xiaomi 12 Lite comes to play. With its exceptional design and exquisite shades, the Xiaomi flagship smartphone is a true fashion statement for a young trendsetter made for everyday wearability. Only weighing 173g and 7.29mm thin, the Xiaomi 12 Lite’s sleek and refined featherweight design is perfect for anyone who wants to bring their phone everywhere they go. Its 6.55-inch AMOLED display and 120Hz refresh rate blend perfectly with a full-screen gearing you…