Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2021 i MEGA

SEPARI WEAR When Denise Ong started her career as a fashion designer studying at FIP Cebu, she already had the intention of keeping everything zero-waste. “As a fashion designer, I am very much aware of how much textile waste just one garment can produce. Being able to see trash bins at home and at school slowly overflow with fabric scraps is enough motivation to have a heart for zero waste,” she says. Because of this, she creates one-of-a-kind pieces that not only reflect her sustainable method, but also the beauty of making something completely new. Ong continues to strive to provide customers with guilt-free purchases that they can be proud of having. Separi Wear pieces also prides itself on being multi-wear and size-inclusive, with offerings that ranges from XXS to…

CHANCE ENCOUNTER Christian Dior believes in destiny, in his lucky star that ultimately guided him to building the house of Dior…

“We must first have a healthy relationship with ourselves to not lose our identity when creating a social media presence” Picture this: you’re all alone in your room, attending a year late virtual graduation that only consists of a slideshow of your college batch mates’ names and photos, or you get promoted at work and instead of going out with coworkers for drinks, all you get are congratulations stickers on Viber. These are only some of the current realities that many of us face in the new normal. The old saying “fake it ‘til you make it,” is now considered terrible advice, but where the world currently stands, I’ll be the first to admit that I have done this in the past few months. Not in a way to be…

CARE PACKAGE Is the age of influence past us? Not quite. It’s just different now, now that things have slowed down for most of the world. There’s now an impetus for change, for the genuine, for real expertise. Discover some of them this month in our beauty features on Justin Soriano, the makeup artist who’s spent the better part of the pandemic prettying up the stunning Heart Evangelista in Artist Confidential. There’s a Thesis, where we talk about what it really means to be called an “exotic beauty.” Lastly, there’s an editorial featuring the very lovely singer Claudia Barretto, who is heralding a brand new, natural world order.…

“It’s not that hard to say ‘you’re beautiful,” my friend Alyana tells me straight away. As someone who embraces her morena skin, naturally curly hair, button-like nose and eyes, living in Spain had its pros and cons. She particularly enjoyed standing out and catching the attention of many just by her looks but there’s often a fine line crossed between the compliments she gets, both in the dating scene and on the streets. “They would make it a point that your beauty is different, even if they do like the beauty of Filipinas, it’s still in the context of iba yung ganda mo from the normal standard of beauty,” she says automatically crossing out this men. The same case follows Jeb Fronda, our proud Filipina fashion editor when it comes…

In this issue, we delve on the idea of the authentic self and how we can fully realize our potential. Your authentic self is who you truly are as a person, regardless of all the labels or roles you take on daily. It is the best representation of yourself. It is being true to yourself in thoughts, actions and words. While it is a different journey for everyone, I think you’ll agree with me that, at some point, we all just want to be real and embrace our entirety—our strengths as well as flaws. It’s so convenient to put up a facade and be the person everyone expects you to be and to fall into a definition crafted for you. Some of us might have pursued paths that made us…

Dressing up the most beautiful queens will always be associated to the name Bessie Besana. From Pia Wurtzbach to Catriona Grey, name any beauty queen and Besana has probably dressed them. Beauty pageants, in fact, has been the life and blood of Besana—even as a kid. “In 1994, my aunt got married and this was the first time I got to see a custom couture gown,” he says. “I was in awe with the details of her and my cousin’s flower girl gowns with all the ribbon detailing at the back and the intricate beads and lace works. I vividly remember scolding my cousin for not taking care of the train of her gown. In the same year, Miss Universe was held in the Philippines and I was in awe…

Longchamp has long stood for Parisian excellence and allure. From its fine leather constructions evoking the culture’s art appreciation, to even the racehorse–the brand’s iconic signifier–that portrays movement with elegance, Longchamp never ceases to honor its heritage. This is evident in Très Paris, its Fall/Winter 2021 fashion show, held in Paris’s renowned Battesti riding hall for true equestrian expression. With the brand’s roots deeply ingrained in Parisian life, its latest Roseau collection carries only the finest in material and quality, allowing you to confidently strut through the streets. Longchamp’s iconic Roseau bag, originally launched in 1993 as a spacious tote to carry your daily essentials and all the little extras, has now been reinterpreted to feature an array of textures, colors, and compositions. Material contrast in the new Roseu combines…

They say relationship compatibility is one of the keys for a successful long-term relationship; underneath that are several other meters that we use to test it out. From matching sense of humor to the chemistry in the bedroom, these are all important factors to consider before entertaining the idea of a person being “the one.” In places like the Philippines, where religion and romance play large roles in our lives, the issue of religious compatibility often comes up. While it isn’t as controversial as separation of church and state, religious compatibility is still a deal-breaker for many. Sasha is a Born again Christian who dates to marry and finds difficulty in meeting the right person. “Marriage is already hard to begin with, so if both of you are completely different…

The relationship between a makeup artist and muse requires full trust. They’re the ones who see them sans any filter or good lighting, personal stories are often shared around the makeup chair, and they are the only ones who can get up close with a star’s pores. The inner workings of a celebrity’s glam ritual seem implausible to many but a makeup artist who has a refined hand for real-world beauty is Justin Louise Soriano. “Being close to my muses made such a big difference on how I do their makeup. The feeling of trust becomes mutual when authenticity prevails,” he states. Before picking up the brush, Soriano was also a licensed nurse, professional teacher, and businessman. Yet having had lived many lives, he went searching for his true passion–beauty.…

“It’s okay to feel uninspired or burnt out. Sometimes we need the time to disappear so that we can come back feeling renewed” For young musician Claudia Barretto, the pandemic and community quarantine have been a time for rest and trying out new things. Like many creatives during these trying days, she’s had to confront many of her demons—among them doubt and insecurities. But instead of using the tried and tested route, she decided to do something new: the unexpected. In the end, her risks proved fortuitous, resulting in a fresh, bold mindset and a new creative flourishing. “I have been coping creatively by immersing myself in new experiences,” she shares via an email correspondence. “At the beginning of the year, I tried things I’ve never done before. Such as,…

Who didn’t have a crush on Alodia Gosiengfiao? For those who grew up to and along with the cosplayer-gamermodel-TV-presenter-vlogger (and singer-pianist-actor as per her Wikipedia page), she was—is—the dream girl. She’s the real life inspiration and proof that being unapologetically real to one’s self does indeed lead to success. And not just any old kind success, but a game-changing, disrupt-the-industry level of success. When she first burst into the scene in the early aughts, many people were instantly besotted, regardless if they were into anime, comics, gaming or simply alive and able to see. Geek culture was still on the rise, but many, especially the media, were to quick to catch on Gosiengfiao. As a cosplayer her splendid creations turned digital daydreams and anime characters into real life. Here she…

SHIFTING THE PARADIGM In the ever-evolving world of beauty, technology has long played a large role in shaping its growth and guiding its direction. From the scientific innovations found in modern cosmetic formulas and packaging to splashy tech like augmented reality shade swatching, these breakthroughs are changing not only how we put on makeup, but how we talk about it, and, ultimately, how we view ourselves. Truly, the best kind of beauty innovation is the one that reveals our most authentic self. Fronting our beauty and tech issue is Alodia Gosiengfiao, a woman who is no stranger to cutting edge tech and whose cosplay fame has revealed her real passions to the world. In fashion, we focus on a different kind of innovation: the ones that aid ethical and sustainable…

Relief from the stresses of the world is something we can all resonate to. For some it’s binge watching K-Drama and for others it’s exercising. For many women looking to indulge it is all about visiting their favorite aesthetic clinic for a much needed R&R and looking good right after. For Anne Barretto, founder of Hey Pretty Aesthetics, it was that same reason that made her launch her own clinic. “Even before I started Hey Pretty, I’ve always been a frequent client of several aesthetic clinics. I consider it as my way of way of my relaxation and true enough, it never fails to relieve my stress. That’s why even before I’ve always told myself that this is the field that I wish to pursue. So when the opportunity arose,…

WHY NOT? As a people we are very obsessed with the norm. We hate to ruffle feathers, to rock the boat, to be pasaway. But without these disruptors—people, events etc.—how can we push for change? How can we hope to expand our thinking, much less our lives? This is why, when presented with the chance to try something different, why not go for it? Take for example, loving someone with a different faith. In a country such as ours, where religion or beliefs have a stronghold in almost every aspect of life, it’s a big deal. It’s a major deal. Or a dealbreaker. In Relationship, we ask whether it’s worth it to fall in love and commit to a relationship to someone with a different faith. It sounds wildly romantic,…

There are very few people who can forge a career akin to that of Tony Stark’s or Bruce Wayne’s than anything else. From running an esteemed chain of bars, spas, and clubs across the Philippines, to representing the country in multiple global pageants, Wilbert Tolentino is still going strong in finding new pursuits to succeed in, despite having done it all. What is the secret to his undying passion? Discover the incredible insights we were able to take in as we sat down with Wilbert Tolentino to talk about the unique story that made him. THE ORIGIN STORY Like many great people, the story of Wilbert Tolentino started out from relatively meek beginnings. The future entrepreneur grew up in Binondo, Manila with Filipino-Chinese parents. Showcasing a strong sense of self-reliance…

TELL US THE STORY OF HOW YOU TRANSITIONED FROM BEING A NURSE TO BECOMING A STAPLE MAKEUP ARTIST AND MEETING YOUR MUSES? After passing the nursing licensure exam instead of seeking opportunities for employment as a nurse I took a different path by entering the world of business. I didn’t stop there as I was always looking for something more to do. I took units in education while also studying a Management Course at the University of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries in Diliman. I passed the boards and eventually became a licensed professional teacher. I enjoyed that phase, but I was looking for something I was very passionate about. I came back to my first love which is makeup. After two years of doing pageant and wedding…

DAY DREAMING One YouTuber said that we are living in a simulation; when our past reality is far from the one we are experiencing right now, it only seems apt. Exposed to the ills of society day in and day out, one can easily spiral down into despair. Some find a way through by staying away phones, creating art or finding new hobbies. This is the space where fashion finds its belonging. Today, fashion becomes a fantastical distraction to the present. The glamour and even the simplicity present a future where we all thrive. In this issue we dream a better future through fashion. Moving forward needs a pioneer who has experience in disrupting the norm. Our leader for this issue is a woman who shows just that, Alodia Gosiengfiao.…

FASHION 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; DIOR, Solaire; GUCCI, Greenbelt 4, Shangri-La Plaza Mall; H&M, SM Southmall, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Uptown Mall; KATE SPADE, Central Square Mall, Glorietta 3, Greenbelt 3, Resort’s World, Rockwell Drive, Shangri-La Plaza; LOUIS VUITTON, Greenbelt 4, Solaire Resort and Casino; PRADA, Greenbelt 4, Solaire Resort and Casino; STRADIVARIUS, Glorietta 2, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, SM Aura; TIFFANY AND CO, Rustans Tower, Shangri-La Plaza Mall; UNIQLO, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM Makati, SM Megamall; UNIVERS, East Tower One Rockwell; Adora Greenbelt 5; ZARA, Greenbelt 5, Power Plant Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, SM Megamall DESIGNER BESSIE BESANA,…