MEGA’s Most Beautiful makes its long-awaited return with a full cast of fresh faces redefining the way we perceive beauty
This is an excerpt from MEGA May 2024 The Faces of Now story.
Ever since its inception in the early 2000s, MEGA’s Most Beautiful has become a platform that celebrates the beauty of extraordinary women excelling in all corners of life. But as it makes its long-awaited return to our pages, it’s only imperative for us to look at beauty with a new perspective and present how it has transformed in the past decades. This year, the list breathes a new life as we introduce a full cast of fresh faces defining and redefining the way we perceive beauty today.
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ROMARIE FONSECA, 21, MODEL
“My idea of beauty has grown to include qualities beyond looks. It’s about appreciating each person’s uniqueness and strength, accepting differences, and celebrating within characteristics like kindness and self-confidence.”
JESKA STA TERESA, 25, MODEL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ADVOCATE
“It’s an honor to be in a generation that demands inclusivity and representation. We can finally see beyond the limitations of colonial beauty standards. One size will never fit all—every individual is too special for that.”
CRAIG UY, 23, MODEL
“Beauty comes from within. As cliché as it may sound, the older I get, the louder that phrase becomes. While physical beauty holds its allure, the kindness and compassion within that truly makes beautiful people. It’s about recognizing that true beauty transcends physical attributes.”
JULIETTE DIZON, 19, STUDENT AND MODEL
“Beauty, to me is about the genuine qualities that make each of us unique. It’s not merely about looks; it’s about personality, diversity, and the positive impact we have on those around us. Ultimately, beauty is about feeling good in our skin and spreading that good feeling to others.”
SHAHA META, 27, CONTENT CREATOR
“I feel that Muslim women these days don’t get represented very well and that we often get overlooked. Beauty transcends far beyond age, religion, and gender. Beauty is universal—it’s something that we all have. I hope that as we work towards a diverse future in beauty, we include more hijabis in the conversation as we are a part of the community, too.”
BETHANY TALBOT, 22, MODEL AND STUDENT-ATHLETE
“Beauty is not just an appreciation for physical attributes, but the recognition of our inner selves, uniqueness, and differences as individuals. I think it is so beautiful when someone embraces their own individuality and when we get to witness how each person expresses that individuality.”
BRANDON GREGORY ESPIRITU, 30, ENTREPRENEUR AND MODEL
“Beauty for me is defined by resilience in the face of struggle and how we treat and interact with ourselves and the world around us. Seeing people take responsibility for their lives and doing their best to improve it makes them so much more beautiful.”
FRANZ GARCIA, 27, MODEL
“The generation today is extremely fortunate to witness the shifting of beauty standards. We are more diverse, more inclusive, and more open-minded. That itself reclaims the true purpose of beauty: to make everyone feel seen, valued, and completely appreciated.”
SAI VERSAILLES, 28, MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST AND DJ
“I believe there is an intrinsic androgyny in our beauty narrative that is inherent in our culture. It’s inspiring to see Filipinos, especially from the queer community, reclaim this culture and create beauty narratives based on lived experiences rather than aesthetic standards.”
AKIRO ORTEZA, 30, FINE ART MODEL AND THEATER ACTOR
“The obsession with unattainable beauty can steal the essence of who we are today. When we chase impossible prototypes of how a person should look, we risk losing touch with our true selves.”
SELINA WOO BHANG, 27, MODEL AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER
“Beauty is relative, constantly evolving, and empowering, an embodiment of a gentle yet dignified strength of spirit. It is also so rich and diverse—we have to champion and advocate for that. I stand my ground on refusing to be typecast for jobs that won’t be conducive to everything I’ve fought for in this industry.”
GELO RIVERA, 22, ARTIST
“Beauty comes in many forms. Lahat tayo deserve na maramdaman na we are accepted and we are a part of the beauty conversation. And that resonates with male beauty, too. Mahalaga rin na pag-usapan natin ’to para malaman nila na it’s okay to take care of your skin and express your creativity and individuality through makeup.”
CRIZA TAA, 19, ACTOR AND CONTENT CREATOR
“Beauty, for me, is embracing your authentic self. Kung ano man ang makakapagpa-confident sa kanila, may it be on how they want to wear their makeup o kung paano nila gustong bihisan ‘yong sarili nila, it doesn’t really matter. As long as you feel beautiful, as long as you feel confident, that is what’s important. You define your own beautiful.”
Read more about The Faces of Now in MEGA’s May 2024 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Photographed by: WILMARK JOLINDON. Creative Direction: PATRICK TY and BRIE VENTURA. Sittings Editor AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON, and JONES PALTENG. Photography Assistant: JOBO NACPIL. Jewelries BULGARI, CARTIER, JANINA DIZON, TIFFANY AND CO. Hair and Makeup NIX SORIANO, JESSEY MIRANDA, KAI BALBIN, JO ATUTUBO, ANGEL OH, JAN DAYAON, KAHN NOCEDA of NIX BEAUTY INSTITUTE. Shot on Location BRITTANY HOTEL, VILLAR CITY.
