Table of contents for March 2022 in MEGA

We a love a group cover—especially if it’s a roster of women we look up to. From fashion, business to entertainment, women have undoubtedly dominated these fields with confidence and ease. Take our cover subjects for example—TV personality, host and advocate Bianca Gonzalez, Sunnies co-founder and entrepreneur Bea Soriano-Dee and fashion designer Vania Romoff. As women leaders, they’ve pursued their passions relentlessly as well as juggles many roles—wife, mother and most importantly as individuals. It’s been said many times and again—women can indeed do everything. And we should celebrate them for they inspire a future generation of women who will aspire for even greater things. Even with such an early call time, our cover personalities arrived early or on the dot, ready to take on the day because the shoot…

In an ideal world, women won’t have to run twice as fast out of necessity—they would because they can and they want to. And some women have and are continuously proving that it can be done. In this year’s power issue, we embrace and celebrate every side of femininity: the fierce and compelling type, the soft and sensual kind, and everything else in between. For Best Buys, Comme Çi is taking over the season with their collaborations with Australian fashion labels. We also join world-renowned Filipino designer Furne One, MEGA Magazine’s Young Designer of the Philippines Awardee in 1994, in his 30th year in fashion. A woman’s style isn’t complete without statement pieces and so we’re listing down the power accessories you’ll need for an unrivaled elegance. Speaking of women…

By MIA CASTRO or too long the topic of sexual wellness been told in a hushed manner—or worse—edited out from the health education lesson plan. In the Asian diaspora, where female sexual health is often poorly marketed, hyper-aggressive and highly gendered, it’s also never about pleasure and all about procreation. “Kababae mong tao”, “ano na lang sasabihin ng iba?”, “that’s not how a lady should act,” are all statements that Filipino women are used to hearing. It’s not surprising that according to the Philippine Commission on Women, the country has one of the highest rate of women who experience sexual challenges in Asia. This includes troubles with the physical act, but also being highly vulnerable to intimate partner violence and sexual health conditions such as HIV/AIDS and reproductive tract infections.…

At 40 years old, Kit Barraquias could easily pass as an older sister to her 23-year-old daughter, Jcinth and her 12-year-old twins, Lilli and Violet. A freckled face beauty with piercing feline eyes and short blonde hair, she doesn’t even wear a drop of foundation during the photo shoot. What’s even more unbelievable? She only recently started using skincare products. “I didn’t even have my own facial wash or moisturizer when I was younger. The soap I use for my body is what I use for my face,” she laughs at her sudden confession, but I assure her that it’s a refreshing take on skincare that many would surely relate to. During her modeling days, she would eat whatever she wants, her workouts were more of a hobby than a…

The past years have achieved what seemed inevitable—making the world stop in its tracks. The silence was, and still is at times, deafening. The times have hastily left the husks of what once were congested streets, restless towns, and scenic spots well-versed with ethereal views. It makes one question, “When will it be time to finally rise? To get back out and live life as we knew it?” This cruel time has forced many to back down and stay still. And the painful waiting entailed has a way of either breaking you apart or making you. For others, it is both. One can only be distracted for so long by filler activities until you’re met with silence and the noise ensues. Only then will you realize that the clamor is…

The pandemic is hard on all of us. While its adverse effects affect everyone, women are among the most who are the hardest hit. As matriarchs, they have to put up a strong façade in order to assure their loved ones that they will be alright. As caregivers in their own families or at work, they are tasked to tend to the sick and manage everyone’s safety. As entrepreneurs or business owners, they not only have to think of ways on how to continue on with their businesses, but also provide livelihood to countless people who depend on them. They have to be strong, they have to be leaders and they have to push themselves while juggling many roles and still be an individual. So yes, it is not easy…

1 Structred Strut It’s all about laid-back femininity in Comme Çi’s SERIES 0321 collaboration with C/MEO Collective. The classic monochrome staples in wrap style dresses, balloon sleeves and drape fabrics create the ideal day-to-night looks. It’s the subtle bold branding for women ready to serve their signature power walks. 2 Romance and Adventure This ’70s safari adventure-inspired collection is the result of the brand’s work with Keepsake. Entitled Dahlia, the season’s line effortlessly ties romance and beauty with glamor and utility. The shades of espresso and fawn, together with refreshing whites and creams create the silent narrative behind the days in wildlife. With linen and cotton gracefully decorated with statement florals, the perfect definition of refined femininity and elegance is in place. 3 Soft Sensuality The Boudoir Collection with Finders…

The feline form—sleek, proud, and with a glint in its eye—has been immortalized in the Panthère de Cartier bag. It evokes the original and creative heritage of Jeanne Toussaint who was the first to adopt the panther as her signature while she was creative director at Cartier in the 1940s. Known as the “Petite Pantheré” by Louis Cartier himself, grandson to the luxury house’s founder, Toussaint could very well be known as Cartier’s first panther, and this heritage lives on today through the design of Marlin Yuson. With its trapezoid shape, its finely grained leather, and its jewel clasp, the Panthère de Cartier endures the waves of fads. This is one cat that isn’t afraid to make a splash. Instantly grabbing your attention is its buckle, created in close collaboration…

Down the rabbit hole, there are things the imagination couldn’t even comprehend. It’s crazy what 30 years can do, especially to one’s definition of the self. But for Furne One, spending all that time in fashion has made him strive to keep his identity as a designer intact, no matter how drastically the world changes around him. And that for him is the secret to building a successful brand. “There are so many innovations and reinventions over the years, but I remain true to my core,” he says. With that kivnd of unwavering confidence in one’s craft, One is just unstoppable. He describes his design ideology as about pushing the limits, something that comes naturally to him. This is evident in the name he has engraved in the face of…

“There are no blurred lines when it comes to consent. It is only true when it is freely given” The importance of consent is often only talked about in the context of dating and with brand new couples. Whether it’s about asking permission to hold hands, how to label the relationship or what one is comfortable with in the bedroom, practicing consent is mandatory and that shouldn’t stop even if you’ve found “the one.” Consent in long-term relationships however is frequently overlooked. After all, two people wouldn’t stay together without knowing and trusting each other very well. So why is it still common for committed and married couples to experience emotional abuse and non-consensual sex? Because it’s more difficult to say “no” to someone you really care about. From canceling…

For years, the idea of French beauty has been one of aspiration for many people. Many beauty trends have come and gone, but the Gallic mystique has not only persisted, but grown. It is, at once timeless, but also eternally cool. The artfully mussed up hair (bangs are a plus), paired with a rose red lip or a coquettish kitten flick liner are hallmarks of beauty that generations continue to embrace and make their own. It is in this intersection of the classic—the French are sticklers for history and tradition after all—and the youth culture that we find Violette—not last name necessary—the Creative Director of Makeup for Guerlain and coolest of the cool girls. The nicest one too. Violette’s fans have known her since her early days in YouTube, where…

Reaching the familiar confines of a Zoom room, Bianca Gonzalez’s entrance heralded a change in the atmosphere—a lightness; a zing; a humbleness. This all in all, made an interview between two strangers turn into a casual, lighthearted conversation that can also be characterized as healing. With each question thrown, Bianca gifted me with raw answers that one would not expect to receive after merely meeting each other for the first time. With her unadulterated replies, I end up with the realization that the person on the screen is not a mere facade, but a view of authenticity personified. I saw it crystal clear when she began recounting her version of rising like a phoenix from the ashes from the pandemic. “I remember from the first few weeks of lockdown, there…

From an early age, Vania Romoff has already been breaking barriers and making strides. An epitome of “grit to great,” she carved out a name for herself in the fashion sphere despite the privilege of being born into a family of designers. Her close circle of master couturiers ranged from her grandmother, Viring Romoff, who was touted as Cebu’s first ever couturier, to her brother, Anthony, who followed suit. From strength-to-strength, Vania has gone through life with superior talent and the fiery passion to succeed on her own. Talk about being the quintessence of an empowered woman, right? However, with the arrival of the pandemic, like everyone else, she was forced to settle for a pace that didn’t match her usual. Simultaneously, she was introduced to new mindsets that strikingly…

On Bianca, Divas’ Dream white gold necklace with full pave diamonds, Fiorever white gold earrings and ring both with central round-cut diamond and pave diamonds; On Bea, Serpenti yellow gold earrings with pave diamonds and malachite eyes, Serpenti rose gold necklace with blue sapphire eyes, malachite elements and pave diamond and Serpenti Tubogas; On Vania, Divas’ Dream white gold pendant necklace set with one central and other brilliant-cut sapphires and Serpenti Viper one-coil slim bracelet in white gold full pave all by BVLGARI…

Which career does a woman belong to? Anywhere she likes—similar to how Princess Angelica Consing is taking over the business industry from all directions. Starting is the first and probably hardest step when it comes to establishing a business. For Consing, she already knew the career path she had to take since her passion for entrepreneurship ignited during her childhood. While studying, her firsthand experience of entrepreneurship was through buying and selling, and participating in bazaars. However, Consing didn’t really jump into entrepreneurship after graduation. She started as an employee to gain experience, be exposed to various industries and expand her network. “When I felt fully prepared to enter entrepreneurship, that’s when I decided to jump in full time.” says Consing. In finding the balance between what she’s good at…

“All the women in me are tired,” the poet Nayyirah Waheed wrote. The wife, the mother, the daughter, the artist, the cook, the athlete, the role model–women take on all these roles and do all the work, but are silenced. It’s been a long fight for females to take space in this world, and to this day, it remains an uphill battle. In Relationship, we talk about consent, that all important concept and a non-negotiable in any relationship—whether it’s been a minute or a decade. In Feature Story, the professionals remind us that being sexually aware is a part of valuing one’s body. This is the new era of feminism where women unite and inspire one another to power through every challenge because it matters today and in the future.…

For centuries, beauty has been treated with an expiration date. Looking your age meant older women couldn’t wear glitter eye shadow and bold lipstick shades. Inversely, worrying about fine lines and wrinkles can risk getting label as superficial. Beauty, it seemed, was time-consuming and even anti-feminist. Why let vanity get in the way of bigger, important things? But it’s a misconception that a responsible, powerful woman can only care for inner beauty and never her physicality. The intricacies of womanhood are always changing and it’s important to embrace all aspects of it. Discover them in Tried & Tested where the editors take a positive approach to skin aging, and Beauty Blog as the gorgeous Kit Barraquias teaches her three daughters that makeovers are a form of self-expression. Meanwhile, in Artist…

There’s no such thing as a defined pace in a period where it’s a push and pull between one crisis and another. Which way do we go from here? Women say march on. Leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs and more—the titles women hold are more than this lifetime requires, but it’s as if it will never be enough. With the amount of power women possess, there’s no surprise they have multiple means to channel it to the rest of the world. We respect the hustle but we don’t have to glorify the burn out. This women’s month, we look at powering through in equal admiration and regard for slowing down. Women have long struggled to take space, and it’s still a continuous fight to be in the lead. Many have already proven…

Resilience. Big word. But for the co-founder of Sunnies Group, Bea Soriano-Dee, that was the name of the game. All throughout our short but sweet conversation, Bea naturally embodied the aura of a girl boss. From how she strategically transformed to gains the pandemic-brought strains challenging her business, the benevolence she displayed in the way she takes care of her people by sticking to her business’ slogan, “No one gets left behind,” to using the advocacies close to heart to fulfill her responsibilities as a retailer. “For the product lines, we didn’t have any sunglass sales nor beauty sales. So, for a while, there were millions of sunglasses in our warehouse. And we were like, ‘What are we going to do?’ For the first six months, it was okay, but…

FASHION AGUA SWIMWEAR, web <aguabrazillianswimwear. ph>; BVLGARI, Greenbelt 3, Solaire Resort and Casino; CELINE, Glorietta 1, SM City Manila, SM Megamall, Trinoma, Shangri-La Plaza, SM City Fairview, SM City North, SM Mall of Asia; CAROLINA HERRERA Greenbelt 5; CHANEL, Shangri-La Plaza; C/MEOCOLLECTIVE, web <cmeocollective.com>; COMME ÇI <commecishop.com>; DIOR, Solaire Resort and Casino, SM Makati, SM Aura Premier, The Podium, SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3; FENDI, Solaire Resort and Casino, Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Center, SM City North Edsa; FINDERS KEEPERS, web <finderskeepersthelabel.com>; GIVENCHY, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 4; GUCCI, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 4; HERMES, Greenbelt 3; H&M, SM Southmall, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Uptown Mall; KEEPSAKE, web <keepsakethelabel.com.au>; LA GLAMOUR QUEEN, web <www.lgqueen.com>; LOUIS VUITTON, Greenbelt 3, Solaire Resort and Casino; ORNATE MANILA, web <instagram.com/ornatemanila>;…