The Originals

Before the feeds, the follows, and the pressure to always be seen, there was simply the work. There was showing up, putting in the hours, finding your voice, and making a name for yourself one opportunity at a time.

Anne Curtis, Belle Daza, Solenn Heussaff, Liz Uy, and Georgina Wilson came of age in that in-between era, when the world was still analog but beginning to move digital. They witnessed the shift, adapted to it, and along the way became some of the women who helped define what influence could look like.

For a landmark MEGA cover, the five come together to look back on the years that shaped them, the careers they built, and the things that remain true even as the world changes.

Read the full cover story on September 9.

Photographed by BJ PASCUAL. Creative Director PATRICK TY. Art Director BRIE VENTURA. Beauty Editor AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON. Beauty Writer MARA GO. Sittings Editors PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO and TREI ROVERO. Producers THESSMAR LECTURA, DOLLY CAMANTIGUE, and JASON JULIAN. Accounts Manager JULIANA ZEHETHOFER. Stylists JOLO BARTOLO, JETRHO BARRIET TA, STEPHANIE SATORRE, ASHLEY JAMLANG, BEATRIZE LAGCO OF ST YLIZED STUDIO assisted by KIRSTEN BIANZON, AEA LUGAY, and MAGGIE REYES. Makeup Artists EMMAN MAGPANTAY assisted by NICOLAS MAGPANTAY (BELLE AND LIZ); ROBBIE PINERA assisted by DELVI FLORES (ANNE, GEORGINA, AND SOLENN). Hairstylists CHRISTIAN BOJO assisted by CHRISTINE MAE ARCA (BELLE); NELLY SEBOY (GEORGINA AND SOLENN); DALE MALLARI assisted by KIM REGILME (ANNE); JUSTINE OCAMPO (LIZ). Nails POSH NAILS (BELLE); JOCELYN LA TORRE OF MARK ANGELO HAIR STUDIO-WESTGATE ALABANG (GEORGINA AND SOLENN); CHRISTINE NOELLE ROBLE (ANNE AND LIZ). Photographer’s Management PEARL ACUESTA, ANGEL NADAL, and ANNE GELLA MEJIA. Photographer’s Assistants RICHARD DETITA, DAMIAN ESTRELLIS, BAMBOO SANTOS, JOHN PAUL DELA CRUZ, ABEL SANTOS, and EDMIL SANTOS. Chair CASA BELLA HOME AND LIVING special thanks to ANN TIRONA. Smoke Machine DARWIN ALCANTARA. Special Thanks to PORTIA CABIAD and JAVIER G. BERENGUER-TESTA OF PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER; JEANGER NAVARRO-PONTI OF LOUIS VUITTON PHILIPPINES. Shot on Location at PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER

Owen Maddela

Head of Content for the Creative Services

Owen Maddela is a writer, editor, producer, and former publisher who serves as Head of Content for the Creative Services Team at One MEGA Group - Asia. Since 2005, his work has spanned the intersections of art and commerce through editorial and branded content across magazines, newspapers, books, websites, social media, and trade expositions.

A keen observer of fashion, culture, food, the arts, design, and entertainment, his tenure in media and wide-ranging interests have shaped a writing style that traces the connections between history, trends, and pop culture. He currently leads branded content for MEGA while continuing to contribute editorial work, with bylines appearing in MEGA, Vogue Philippines, and VMAN Southeast Asia.

A Marketing graduate of De La Salle University, he has also worked in corporate communications and public relations, informing his approach to storytelling and brand-building.

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