Recommended Video
This is an excerpt from MEGA February-March 2026 Fashion POV
Once upon a time, there was a young girl sitting wide-eyed in front of a screen, waiting to see which hopeful model Tyra Banks would call next. Like many before her, she dreamed of becoming a model someday—of being scene, chosen, transformed.
But in the story, there is no fairy godmother waving a magic wand, no pixie dust, no crescendo of fireworks or swelling orchestra to mark the moment everything changes. The magic arrives differently. Quieter. Earned.
MARGA CORTEZ’S advice to aspiring models is refreshingly direct: “Don’t be like me. Have your own personality, your own agency, really advocate for yourself.”
What unfolds instead is a more compelling kind of transformation—one rooted in authenticity, self-awareness, and a steadfast refusal to shrink herself to fit an outdated mold. The heroine of this modern fairytale is none other than Marga Cortez.
RELATED: Geraldine Jennings in Her Own Style
BEHIND THE BEAUTY
At 26 years old, Marga Cortez has already spent a decade in the modeling industry, having stepped into it when she was 15. Like many young girls, she grew up watching Asia’s Next Top Model and America’s Next Top Model—shows that framed modeling as both fantasy and competition. But what followed was not instant glamour or a fairytale arrival. Instead, it was years spent learning the business behind the scenes. A casting invitation from a peer led to her first mall show, and with the steady support of her mother, Marga began navigating an industry that rarely comes with a guidebook—especially for young girls finding their way.
One of the most persistent misconceptions about modeling, Marga explains, is the belief that a pretty face is enough. In reality, modeling is a business—one that demands discipline, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build one’s own brand. “Your vibe, your energy, your personality,” she emphasizes, “matter just as much as physical appearance.” In an industry long obsessed with perfection and narrow beauty standards, Marga’s commitment to staying true to herself proves that individuality is no longer a liability, but a powerful asset.
Still, visibility comes at a cost. Marga is candid about the pressure that constant scrutiny can bring, and she makes a conscious effort to separate her self-worth from her work. Where confidence once depended on external validation, it now comes from simply showing up—even on days when she doesn’t feel her best. Her approach to self-care is holistic: mental, emotional, and physical. Criticism, she believes, only holds power if you allow it to live rent-free in your mind. And while there are days when the weight of it all inevitably seeps in, Marga meets those moments with honesty, grounding herself in the values she refuses to compromise—head held high, firmly rooted in who she is.
WHERE FASHION MEETS REALITY
Her exceptional honesty extends to how she uses her platform. As both a model and content creator with a significant following here in the Philippines, she believes visibility comes with responsibility. She doesn’t romanticize the industry; instead, she shares the in-between moments—the uncertainty, the negotiations, the realities of getting paid. Her goal is not to appear untouchable, but to be a someone relatable and who makes the journey feel less lonely for those watching from the outside.
Creatively, Marga thrives in collaboration, which is why she prefers photoshoots over runway. While runway demands precision, timing, and strict adherence to cues, shoots allow for dialogue and shared vision. This collaborative spirit mirrors her personal style, which draws heavily from the Renaissance and Victorian eras. Layers, ruffles, lace, and sculptural silhouettes define her wardrobe—translated into a modern language through designers like Vivienne Westwood, Simone Rocha, and Sandy Liang. Her beloved lace skirts, in particular, feel like an extension of her: feminine, romantic, fluid, and intentional.
That sense of intention was especially present during her shoot with MEGA. Though it was her second time working with the publication, it carried a different weight—this time spotlighting her own style, something that felt deeply personal and, in her words, “materialized forever.” The pressure was real, but so was her self-trust. She grounded herself with her professionalism, and those creatives surrounding her—and that was enough.
Beyond aesthetics, Marga is very vocal about the structural issues within the fashion industry. She openly supports the need for legal protections for models in the Philippines, similar to those established in places like New York. Too often, models find themselves at the bottom of the food chain—underpaid, unprotected, and taken advantage of through vague contracts and usage agreements. Through experience, she has learned to advocate for herself, even when it means being confrontational. Livelihood, after all, is not a superficial concern.
Read more about the magical Marga Cortez in MEGA’s February-March 2026 issue now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Photographed by MARKO BONIFACIO. Art Direction TROY NONATO. Fashion Assistant KRISSIE TERUEL. Production THESSMAR LECTURA. Makeup MIKI LIUSON. Hair MAT T LEDESMA. Photography Assistant ROJAN MAGUYON. Special thanks to LA VIE EN ROSE.
