Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2021 i MEGA

Our annual shopping issue encourages you to shop with mindfulness as the times call for meaningful and discerning choices. We are in a point of time to make important decisions that matter; I hope you would be able to apply this principle on how you purchase, invest, or buy things as well. Don’t get me wrong—while our situation is far from the ideal, it is also important to reward yourself—because ultimately these “things” we spend on become part of our identity and somehow become an extension of ourselves. It is more than just about buying a bag, jewelry or piece of clothing. It is the connection you feel about a certain piece, the whole experience of buying into an idea of that design, or what that brand or label stands…

SUCCESSION Nothing looks quite as good as success. This month, we celebrate all sorts of success—the monumental ones, the everyday joys and surprises, and even those that haven’t happened yet. We’re big believers in manifesting one’s hopes and dreams, a belief that many of the creatives and entrepreneurs featured in this issue seem to share. In Designer Profile, we have the astonishing Michael Leyva presenting an ultra glamorous bridal collection, the kind that demands large gatherings and over-the-top celebrations. Far from flouting the pandemic and the safety precautions, it is in fact, his ardent hope for a better time, when such gatherings are finally made safe, rendered in beadwork, crystals and feathers. This sentiment is shared by the local sneaker brands featured in Best Buys, of the graduating fashion students…

Whenever neighbors come together to watch chosen women dress up in gowns, show off their talents, and walk their versions of pasarela, you can expect that a beauty pageant is taking place and making a small barrio come alive at night. Today, beauty pageants in the Philippines are a national obsession—names of candidates make the headlines and social media is abuzz with predictions and comments of the representatives’ performance. But completely unique to our country is how beauty queens aren’t only a pretty face with a sash, instead their title translates into power, specifically the title of Miss Universe. Former winners have become major personalities and celebrities with a worldwide following. This raises an important conversation: with beauty and power connected, do pageants still perpetuate unrealistic standards for women? Beatrice…

When we talk about queens we do not mean a side character to the king. When we talk about queens we talk about independence from outside influences. We talk about power that comes from within. Most of the time it revolves around the grandeur of style but in the case of Beatrice Luigi Gomez we see the queen in the quiet assurance in her gait, the sparkling radiance every time she smiles, and the unmatched confidence in her presence. That is what the judges saw as she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021. At the early hours of the morning we find an excited Beatrice in our studio. As a professional model before becoming a beauty queen, she mentions how it has always been a dream to appear inside the…

Living in the so-called new norm for almost two years now, using the term new already seems unnecessary. Because changes have been made, adjustments have been implemented, and adapting has been effectuated. We had no other choice but to ride along the constant shifting sands. And much like how life just keeps going and moving, love also never stops. While some weddings may have been postponed, many still pushed through. In fact, we’ve already seen quite a handful of successful ones in the midst of the pandemic. Because as cliché and cheesy as it may sound, love still do prevail. No matter the trials, hardships, and sacrifices, the joy of celebrating love is so profound it can never be overshadowed. So when Michael Leyva was contemplating what should be his…

Precious jewelry is seen as a luxury by many, especially custom-made pieces that hold an even more lavish reputation. However, the bright minds over at C&M Jewelry are making it their mission to demystify the perceptions that cloud this centuries-old industry and bring these sought-after ornaments right back down to earth. Through cutting-edge craftsmanship, competitive pricing, and a true passion for unforgettable memories, C&M Jewelry is ready to forge the milestones of your life into dazzling, timeless regalia that you can cherish forever. IT STARTED WITH A SINGLE MEMORY As a brand focused on making memories last forever, it was only fitting that C&M Jewelry would be born out of one as well. A young couple by the name of Charles and Merphy were once engrossed with their personal couple’s…

Difficult to define as it is to achieve on-demand, the hardest look to master is one that looks like it’s barely there. And for makeup artists to achieve this on different skin types and faces shapes requires true skill–one that Mark Kingson Qua has. From graduating Technical Theater Arts at the DLSU-College of St. Benilde to working in fashion, it was only when he was tapped to do the makeup during a shoot for a jewelry brand where practicality and passion met. “It just so happens that makeup has provided me well, so I pursued the career. It was a happy and blessed incident,” he describes his beginnings. It’s been 14 years since then, and now his name stands synonymous with his grounded approach of respecting the skin and using…

When we think of the highest echelon of luxury fashion we think of couture where each made-to-measure piece is worth a minimum of $100,000. On the next level we see luxury ready-to-wear pieces where exotic leather bags get the ticket of most expensive items. But as the pandemic arrived worldwide, luxury purchases plummeted down to red alert proportions. Shifting to just the essentials, consumers traded their luxury purchases for hygiene products and tech items that help purify their homes. Luxury bags were traded for durable work-from-home furniture and comfortable sweats for movement. BACK TO SQUARE ONE In 2021 the world is slowly opening and new consumer trends have risen allowing the fashion world a bigger perspective to the forever changed psyche of the shopper. One of these trends is the…

IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY What is success? The idea that success is having it all and being the best persists. But more and more people are success what you make of it. So what if your life doesn’t look as good on paper? Dr. Seuss perhaps said it best, “Do what you want and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” In Feature Story, one writer basks and balks at the idea of starting over in the anonymity of a new country. In Forvm, we ask if the social media platforms—a place where the traditional trappings of success doesn’t simply lie, but thrive, flourish and continually assault our senses in the latest Top 40 hit—should be held accountable for the…

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES We’re not out of the woods yet, but it doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the little things, the good things. For our annual shopping issue, we’re thinking about retail therapy, and how, in a pinch, it somehow helped us go through some tough times. No, it’s not a cure, but sometimes buying a little something that we desire can do a load of good for our mood. And it’s not like how it was before; these days, it’s a more thoughtful, mindful and informed experience. Forget buying into the hype—we’re buying into things and experiences that really make us feel good and look good. In Tried & Tested, the editors share their splurges when it comes to makeup. In Beauty Blog, Rei Germar shares her beauty journey…

QUEEN’S GAMBIT What makes a Queen? Is it beauty? Her stride? Her attitude? History says yes, but the present shows otherwise. Modern feminism looks deeper into what it means and spreading out its support. “Yazzzzz Kween!” is a shout for inclusivity and acceptance of every individual’s fullest self. Recognizing this, MEGA shares the same joy. You are a queen, with every struggle survived and every step taken forward. The woman crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2022, Beatrice Luigi Gomez, is the best woman to represent the new breed of Filipina queens. She’s beautiful, intelligent, poised and statuesque, but she also has tattoos and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+. Clad in all black ensembles, highlighted by Cartier’s new collection of jewelry, we showcase the different definitions of a queen,…