Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i MEGA

Summer is not canceled. While we usuallyspendthistime to go on vacations, de-stress and relax, our current reality makes it hard to just pack up and leave. Cases have sadly gone up, partly brought about by letting our guards down when we should have been more vigilante about staying home and taking extra precautions. Sadly we now have to face the repercussions and remind ourselves again of the lessons we should have taken to heart. Now, it’s counter-productive to dwell on the things we should or shouldn’t have done—it is more important to focus on the things we can do to make things better now and in the future. And we strongly believe that things will get better. We wouldn’t be making this issue if we didn’t. In a MEGA exclusive,…

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNERS OR BRANDS LOCALLY OR ABROAD? WHY DO YOU LIKE THESE IN PARTICULAR? Araw, Studio Josanna. They carry effortlessly beautiful pieces and that’s something I really like because from there its easy to build upon or have them stand alone. Léon Archives, I just discovered these and they have the cutest patchwork trouser. I love anything patchwork! Zoothelabel—their dresses, I’ll take ten! Internationally? Pyer Moss, Mukzin, TOVE Studio, The Line by K. They’re all pretty different from each other but what I love is that at the core, they focus on creating actual feel-good pieces that enhance you. Instead of getting lost in the clothing or brand it adapts to you like it was made just for you. QUICK, YOUR CLOSET’S ON FIRE! WHAT ARE THE…

If only school uniforms here looked as stylish as those in Japanese academies and British institutions, perhaps students would never be tardy or miss a class. Ha.Mu, the young designer duo composed of Abraham Guardian and Mamuro Oki, reimagine how school uniforms should be. “The main focus and inspiration for the SS 2021 collection is re-inventing basic silhouettes of how we understand what school uniforms mean and what purpose they serve for the wearer,” they explain. Having gained a cult following for Ha.Mu’s distinct style and maximalist explorations, the essence isn’t lost in MüüHaa—a separate entity and what they call as their “diffusion brand” in partnership with Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion at Peter D. Garrucho Jr. Innovations Institute. “The pieces designed and constructed were done with the intention…

“ AS YOU PLAN TO USE A NEGATIVE SWAB TEST TO SLIP INTO A PARTY, CONTEMPLATE IF IT’S REALLY WORTH RISKING YOUR LIFE OR ANOTHER’S? ” As we celebrate our one-year anniversary in quarantine, we can all agree that we are all itching to be amongst a crowd of people, laughing away with a drink in hand and bumping bodies against loud music. s people keep holding their lives off for months on end and trying to stay indoors for more than a year now isn’t doing us any good either. Since swab tests are becoming more accessible and vaccines are rolling in, they’ve been an advantageous precautionary measure to slowly and safely get back to our pre-pandemic lives. With this being said, many are now relying on COVID-19 tests…

The times have changed as a new world of tech is rising. Wherever you look, gaming has been in the news more often nowadays, and we’re also witnessing more female presence in this male-dominated industry such as Tier One’s Christine Samson. According to the young gamer, “Earning a living out of a hobby will always have its own hindrances. But so is anything that involves pursuing your passion. In my opinion, the financial aspect of gaming—or any ‘passion project’ for that matter—will only probably be secondary to its emotional benefits. As the industry grows bigger, so will the opportunities.” While we’re in quarantine, gaming has also served as our mode of escape. It’s made the entire world a big community where we could connect and have fun. Christine Samson shared…

It wasn’t that long ago when all beauty advertisements and products were marketing flawless skin. Fast forward to now and it’s quite the opposite, with unique beauty marks being prized. Freckles that were once unwanted are now a coveted asset with makeup brands even selling eyeliner pens to mimic them. That’s why certified cool girl and Filipino-Irish model Siobhan Moylan, whose face has a natural constellation, tells us that one shouldn’t be afraid to constantly challenge and question beauty standards Even while working in the modeling industry, where her job is to constantly look beautiful, Moylan has no shame in honestly admitting that she still has insecurities of her own. “Of course, I feel insecure every day. Growing up I was always insecure about my freckles and how skinny I…

The first time I met Mong Amado was during a recent cover shoot. He was in charge of the men’s grooming and was able to juggle all three personalities with ease. He wore a leopard-print polo and a pearl earring in one ear, clearly showing his own distinct style, even as he created classic looks for the shoot. Amado is clearly popular among his peers and his clients. Everyone greets him and he is genuinely friendly to each one. He’s also accomplished a long list of achievements in his relatively young career. Among them is working with Victoria Secret photographer Adam Franzino and his team in Siargao, Vogue China editor-in-chief Margaret Zhang, and the actress Millie Bobby Brown for her visit to the country’s ComiCon. With Brown, Amado admits that…

Much has been said about this pandemic but what we are all looking forward to is the light at the end of this very dark tunnel. When am I getting my vaccine? When can I be with my friends again? When can I travel once more? It was never a question of if, but when. In this issue we show a hopeful future where we are all free once again. Leading this movement is Ivana Alawi as the face of LVNA by Drake Dustin. We go on hyperdrive as this beauty goes interstellar; from mirrored looks to chain pieces, Ivana is transformed into a space-age warrior fighting for the future of humankind. Back on Earth, we celebrate the return of Anne Curtis in The Comeback. The actress features in an…

Is Ivana Alawi the face of the future? If she is indeed, then the future is looking rosier already. Equal parts Femme Bot and Ex-Machina, with dashes of Barbarella and Judy Jetson thrown in, this month’s cover star is indeed, out of this world. The concept was a perfect fit for the bombshell actress, whose earthy, tongue-in-cheek humor proved to be internet catnip, a balm for our anxious times. Clad in chrome creations, glittering diamonds from LVNA by Drake Dustin, and architectural hair and graphic makeup, the sweet-faced ingenue took on the fierce role of a woman making her way in an unfamiliar time and space. Ivana may be most known for being herself on her videos, but she was more than able to take on the this highly conceptual…

here’s no denying that fashion is finally on reset mode. The overhaul itself comes as no surprise—but the capacity of respective fashion businesses to even be able to restructure is a feat. Ninety Ninety Studios is one of those newcomers who did not come off unscathed. A brainchild of two long-time friends, Ninety Ninety was brought to life by celebrity stylist Perry Tabora and fashion designer Rob Ortega. “Because we have known each other for so long, we work together seamlessly and we understand each other’s aesthetics.” The two have also revealed that it has always been their plan to create a line but it is only now that it came to existence after a few brainstorming sessions and sourcing for the right materials. The brand was inspired by the…

“Every great design begins with an even better story,” said designer Lorinda Mamo. One must have purpose and resolve before the act of creation. What ignites designers are stories that can come from a song, an art piece or just their wild imagination. This propels them to create their own story and translate these into garments. This is the reality for designer Yves Camingue. “Music and emotions trigger my creativity, so I turn on one of my Spotify playlists. If I’m not in the mood, I don’t force creativity. Color comes to mind first, then silhouette, and then form—whilst thinking of the fabric already and the separate pieces. Function is the punctuation mark to my designs,” he shares. His design journey started at quite a young age. In elementary school…

In the new decade, we find ourselves at the dawn of a new age wherein women are ascending in power in various fields, and now also dominating a new industry: gaming. It’s refreshing to witness an influx of female gamers such as Tier One’s Christine Samson owning their own spotlight. According to the 21-year-old gamer, “Women’s presence in gaming is just as important in any type of field. Those challenges are exactly why I am trying to pursue this field. We need to move forward from the perception about gaming being an exclusive boys club.” Taunting and trash-talking are part of gaming culture, but there is still a problem of widespread sexism against female gamers hidden behind these. Christine firmly believes that it’s just about time to end this nonsensical…

There was a time when it seemed like only the supermodel body was allowed at the beach: long limbed, full breasts, willowy waist and hips. It’s a beautiful body, yes, but it’s not the only one that deserves to be described as beautiful, and it’s certainly not the only one that deserves to be styled in an itty-bitty little bikini. We can thank each generation’s push for inclusivity and self-love. Of all of them, Gen Z perhaps has the clearest understanding of the different kinds of bodies and what being healthy really means. In Fitness, we talk about women who lift and and why a muscular frame is not only desirable, but also feminine. In Tried & Tested, the editors share their summer skincare essentials, because whether you want to…

1 DAILY REMINDER Here’s something I never forget to do—put on sunblock. Whether I’m in the city, abroad or at the beach, I always apply sunscreen before heading out. I’ve been using the UV Plus Multi-Protection Translucent Sunscreen SPF 50 by CLARINS (P3950/50ML) for years. The transparent formula is lightweight and doesn’t leave any sticky or oily feeling. It is also specifically formulated for Asian skin and includes UVA, UVB, Anti-UV, and anti-aging protector features. - Peewee Reyes-Isidro, Editor-In-Chief 2 SUMMER BREEZE Sun protection is already a given during the summer, but also in my list of essentials is NUXE Huile Prodigieuse (P2650/100mL). This dry oil is a summer staple because it’s a great lightweight alternative to heavy, sticky body lotion. Skin still needs moisture, especially when it’s been exposed…

Remember the line that Ursula uttered when she was schooling Ariel on what a woman means to society? “Don’t underestimate the power of body language!” She wasn’t wrong though. The body IS a powerful thing. Non-verbal cues, the five senses—it navigates the mind and our behavior. For our summer issue, we celebrate the body in all shapes and sizes. It’s a different kind of season as we still are stuck in quarantine. Aside from designers experiencing an on-going revamp, or renaissance in this art form if you will, we’re pretty much at a standstill with who has the best introspective isolation experience conveyed through this platform—which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. With this, may the MEGA April 2021 issue be a testament of such. It’s no longer the new normal,…

One look at Favour’s Instagram feed and you’d think she’s based in New York City or in Mexico. But upon closer inspection, you’d notice the sari-sari store signage, the usual vibrant “auto load” signs and the inevitable cable wires on each lamp post—giving away that it actually is in, you guessed it, Manila. The Nigerian native moved to the Philippines back in 2009 which explains the familiarity or nostalgic feeling in each of her photos. “I started creating because I wanted to be a beauty guru on YouTube. This was 2012 or ’13,” Favour talks about how she began. She was sharing her skincare routine, lookbooks, fabric shopping adventures on her channel. “Realizing I have the power to create worlds, depict emotion and tell stories through different formats is something…

When we talk about poverty one is required to dig deeper into the socio-economic structures that lead to it. Many would blame the poor for being lazy despite all the stories we hear of people working night and day just to make ends meet. There’s the child who needed to skip school to sell goods just so his family can eat something for dinner. Or the mother whose hands are callused from washing so many clothes just so her children can go to school. We begin to understand this through empathy. For Em Aglipay-Villar, empathy came to her at a young age. “When I was in high school in St. Scholastica’s College, Manila, some of our classes for social studies or religion were not in the classroom but were in…

The idea is as tempting as the beach on a sweltering summer day. What started out as dream that many dismissed pre-COVID-19 has become a reality for many. As the pandemic rages on and quarantine , many people are escaping congested cities and finally living the provincial life they’ve always dreamed of. Get away from it all. Live with less. Unschool. Spark joy. In Feature Story, we investigate the idea behind the new escapism. Making the break isn’t easy, but for many, the opportunity is far too big to resist any longer. In Forvm, however, we talk about the short-term escape: partying during a pandemic. We don’t mean those small gettogethers with masks on, but full-on ragers that have, inexplicably, been shared on social media. How safe are these parties,…

Caught up in the day-to-day mayhem of work and endless worrying, it’s quite hard to feel that summertime is finally here. Normally, it’s the season to unwind and slow down but with the quarantine still ongoing, the ability to escape in one’s home isn’t as easy as it used to be. We’ve all probably explored every square inch of our houses, desperate to find a change of scenery just to get by. If you’re like me who loves binging on Architectural Digest videos or my mom who rearranges the layout of our living room each week, the sun rising a lot sooner is the perfect excuse to give extra time and effort in creating one’s sanctuary right here in the city. Home-grown furnishing brand Archipelago Home lets those interested achieve…

For the longest time you would walk into a public gym and only see the women on the treadmills and ellipticals or in the studio doing aerobics–based exercises like Yoga, Pilates, Spin, or Zumba. While there is nothing wrong with this, it was so unusual to see a woman lifting barbells over their heads. Growing up as an athlete in an all–girls team where building muscle was never an issue, it was a sight I couldn’t fully grasp. A visible social barrier was present from the different ways men and women use the gym to the stigma around female muscularity. However, in the past few years, I noticed the line starting to blur with women slowly but surely dominating the weights section, waiting patiently for their turn to do deadlifts…

RISK-TAKER Pair one extreme style with another. A faux-hawk with a mullet shows that you’re not afraid to break the rules WHAT A SHAG Adding lots of layers gives your mullet major texture ans brings the 80s icon to the modern era…

Things bang and clatter in the background as Ivana Alawi, actress, internet sensation and now, MEGA cover star, talks about cooking kare-kare. We are talking, old school style, over the phone. We don’t even switch on the video, so it’s not very clear what is happening around her. What is clear is that talking to Ivana is a little bit like chatting with a friend. Stories trail off and quips abound. A few times she blurts out different answers to questions, because someone around her is asking something else. Or loud noises will drown out an explanation and she’ll giggle a genuine apology. Despite her repeated pleas to everyone to leave her alone because she’s on an interview, they keep coming. Everyone, it seems, cannot get enough of her. “Sorry,”…