In a grand celebration of Filipina excellence, the MEGA Woman 100 Gala invited females from different industries to honor their groundbreaking contributions and role in shaping a new era of change and empowerment
MEGA has always been at the forefront of honoring remarkable women. At the MEGA Woman 100 Gala, the spotlight was on 100 Filipina women who are redefining empowerment, from innovators in business and arts to fierce advocates of important causes. These women, united by their strength and resilience, not only embody the spirit of the MEGA brand, but also inspire the new generation to take up bigger spaces and aim higher. The unveiling of the MEGA Woman 100 Worth Knowing Book became a celebration of solidarity, diversity, and the transformative power of women uplifting women.
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Sips and Snaps
The night kicked off with a feast for the senses, as guests were welcomed with a delightful spread of refreshments and immersive activations.
Boxed Blossoms, the floral boutique known for their timeless arrangements, set up a picturesque lounge, complete with an enchanting photo backdrop where attendees could snap some memorable shots.
Baken, meanwhile, served up unexpected yet delightful treats, mixing the savory goodness of bacon into creative cocktails.
Guests also enjoyed the signature MEGA Woman cocktail from the exclusive Nightcap collection. This aromatic fusion of Earl Grey gin, passionfruit, tomato water, dill, and cashew marzipan was a celebration of empowerment, crafted in honor of the women being celebrated at the MEGA Woman 100 Gala.
The MEGA Vignette was another highlight of the evening, where the dress code truly came to life. The guests, decked out in indulgent mocha mousse hues, posed in front of the chic lounge setup draped in pink. The vignette was the perfect embodiment of the evening’s theme: celebrating the strength, grace, and beauty of women who make history, all while looking fabulous doing it.
A Warm Welcome, Dinner, and Conversations
Janine Recto, OMGI Head of Publishing and Marketing, set the tone for a powerful celebration of women with a warm and heartfelt welcome. She reflected on the significance of the evening, saying, “Tonight, we celebrate not only an evening of powerful stories and inspirational conversations, but also the spirit of resilience of women who continue to shape our world.”
With a deep sense of gratitude, she acknowledged the presence of each guest and their commitment to empowerment, creativity, and excellence; she then introduced the MEGA Woman 100 book, a carefully curated collection of “100 Women Worth Knowing,” and a tribute to the dynamic, daring women who inspire change across industries. As she explained, “For many years, MEGA Magazine has been synonymous with style, elegance, and the finest in fashion reporting. But today, MEGA stands as a dynamic platform dedicated to empowering the women of Asia.” The evening underscored MEGA’s evolution from a fashion magazine to a vital platform that champions not only fashion but also critical causes like sustainability and inclusivity.
As the evening progressed, guests were treated to a delightful four-course meal that perfectly complemented the elegant atmosphere. The conversations were as rich as the food being served, the atmosphere intimate and warm as friends, colleagues, and guests engaged in meaningful discussions. Between bites of delicious dishes, the room was filled with shared stories and the mutual admiration of the women in attendance, all of whom were paving the way for future generations.
Karen Davila: Breaking Barriers, Building Change
During dinner came the keynote speech by Karen Davila, leading voice in Philippine media and UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador. Her speech was a powerful reflection on the journey women have taken to achieve the rights and recognition they enjoy today: “Tonight isn’t just recognizing where women are now. We also need to remember how far we’ve come.” She took the audience through a history of the struggles women have faced, including the rights they fought for—from wearing pants, to voting, to the battle for reproductive rights. She passionately stated, “The road to fight for women’s rights and gender equality has been long and arduous, paved by women themselves and women before us.”
Davila also pointed out that while women have made incredible strides, challenges still persist. “Women still get paid less than men by 23 percent. And globally, 750 million women are married before 18. For us in this room, we need to serve as a catalyst for change.” Her words were a poignant reminder that while the women in the room were privileged, there was still much work to be done for women across the world.
She then focused on answering the question, “What can you do?”: “Have quotas. It may sound unappealing but it is necessary for now. Count the women in your organization. Count the women in the decision making table. Make sure there is diversity. Mentor even just one woman. Sponsor women into places of opportunity. Elevate fellow women. Let us not operate from a mindset of scarcity and jealousy, but of growth, support and professionalism.” She encouraged everyone to take action, urging the crowd—the collective strength of the women, and even the men—to help close the gender gap and to break long held oppressive beliefs. With that, Davila ended with, “Be that woman role model in your immediate sphere of influence.”
The MEGA Woman 100 Book: A Tribute to Trailblazing Women
The night concluded with a moving speech by Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro, who reflected on the evolution of MEGA and its mission. She shared, “Sari Yap started this journey with a purpose: to teach Filipina women to dress up. However, her mission evolved into something much grander—helping women find meaning and success in their lives.” Reyes-Isidro emphasized how the MEGA Woman 100 campaign serves as a testament to the publication’s growth, highlighting women who are not only shaping industries but also leading change and championing important causes.
Reyes-Isidro also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the talented writers, creatives, producers, and contributors who brought the book to life. She emphasized that this edition further cements MEGA’s role as a leading platform for celebrating Filipina excellence. “The MEGA Woman is a force of nature—resilient, innovative, and compassionate. She embodies the spirit of empowerment that MEGA has championed since its very beginning, and this book stands as a powerful reflection of that legacy.”
Prior to the reveal of the MEGA Woman 100 book, Reyes-Isidro explained the deeper purpose behind the book’s creation in a special video presentation. She shared, “We launch a book that commemorates the stories of powerful women looking beyond the field of fashion and entertainment. This is MEGA’s 100 Women Worth Knowing.”
The book is more than just a compilation of notable names—it seeks to shine a light on the inspiring stories of women who have shaped industries and communities, an effort to honor and celebrate the diverse and impactful journeys of 100 extraordinary women. Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon, MEGA Beauty Director, further elaborated on the book’s essence, saying, “The 100 Women Worth Knowing has one goal in mind: to showcase the inspiring and empowering profiles of 100 accomplished women.”
Both Reyes-Isidro and Azcuna-Bengzon emphasized that the book highlights not only the success of these women, but also their drive, purpose, and the impact they have on others. Reyes-Isidro remarked, “We chose to highlight women and their stories of lessons, successes, and put an emphasis on their purpose. What drives them to do what they do? You learn about women who not only have shaped their own industries in the last five years, but also serve as inspiration for the younger generation.” Azcuna-Bengzon concluded by emphasizing that these women are “strong, confident and have a voice,” and are “redefining excellence.
The goal of the MEGA Woman 100 book is clear: to document the stories of women who have made a significant difference, not only in their own lives but also in the lives of others, leaving a legacy that empowers and elevates future generations. Reyes-Isidro summed up the significance of the book, saying, “The legacy that MEGA wants to leave behind with this endeavor is its purpose of empowering and championing women who have made a difference in both their lives and others. This book aims to be a memento of an achievement that they’ve reached, and MEGA will always be here to document these milestones and evolution.”
Raising a Glass to the Women
The grand reveal of the MEGA Woman 100 book was met with much excitement and anticipation. To mark this momentous occasion, a toast was led by the key figures behind the creation of this remarkable book. Creative Chief Patrick Ty, MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro, Head of Publishing and Marketing Janine Recto, and Chief of Operations Ramon Galicia stood together to raise their glasses in celebration of the achievements of the women featured in the book and the powerful stories in the pages.
This toast was not only a symbolic gesture to honor the women’s contributions but also a recognition of the collective efforts that went into bringing the MEGA Woman 100 to life.
The evening was filled with a deep sense of pride and camaraderie, as the gathered guests toasted to the strength, influence, and brilliance of women who continue to break barriers and inspire change. It was a moment to acknowledge the remarkable impact that these women have had and continue to have on their industries, communities, and the world at large.
Photographed by EXCEL PANLAQUE, KIM SANTOS, ED SIMON of KLIQ INC., and TIMOTHY DUEÑAS
Special thanks to LUXE BEAUTY AND WELLNESS GROUP, RPS AESTHETICS, BOXED BLOSSOMS, AND BAKEN
