mega

APRI L 2019

M U S C L E M E M O R Y:

RAYMOND BAGATSING on spirituality and mindful fitness

THE ENDURANCE M EGA M A N . O N E M EGA . CO M

IN THE HEAT Honor the summer dress-code in neon, denim, and reptilian skin + the latest from Louis Vuitton

WHAT TIME IS IT Brave the sun with these stronger than yesterday grooming must-haves

EDITOR’S NOTE

BODY OF WORK Whatever the reason may be, getting into a fit and healthy lifestyle does a body good

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BEST BODY

o you have a friend that only talks about the gym, their workout, and protein shakes? Does he eat only the bottom part of his burger? Does he flex his arms or touch his chest multiple times in a day to double- or triple-check if his muscles are still hard? Does this friend take gym selfies or ask his trainer to videos of him while he does his circuit training? I follow so many people who are exactly like this, and if I’m being honest, I roll my eyes whenever I see this type of content. I follow them for other reasons, and it isn’t because I want to see them gut it out with kettlebells, medicine balls, and gym ropes.

Recently, however, I must admit, I’ve become one of those people. Well, almost. I do talk about the gym on a daily basis.

I also complain that I had “such a hard workout,” to everyone around me. Sometimes, I even demonstrate the difficult exercise that my awesome trainer, Mel Espinosa (@melborneespinosa), made me do. Once in a while, I would take selfies as a gym OOTD or to document my progress, but what I don’t do is take videos. I don’t flex my muscles either, because I have none.

What I do is check my legs if they are getting fatter, especially since putting in a lot of hours in the gym since October last year. I do a fasted workout every morning from Monday to Saturday. Sunday is my only rest day. It is difficult. In fact, it is very difficult. First, I struggle with waking up at 7:00 AM, because I have to get ready, walk ten minutes to the gym and be wide-awake by 8:00 AM for pushing by Mel. The exercises we do vary. In fact, we’ve never done the same routine in the last five months. Of course, I get tired and my form doesn’t always look good, so when that happens he reprimands me or M E GA M A N | A P RI L 201 9 | MEG AM AN .ON E M EG A .C OM

won’t count the exercise I did unless I do it correctly. It pains me when someone is yelling at me, especially if I hired him to yell at me. But that is his job, and he is doing his job really well. I also find that I talk to myself more these days because that is the only way I can get through the exercises. When it becomes extremley unbearable, I think of the people I hate and that help, a lot.

Five months later, I’ve lost a sizeable amount of weight.

Unlike previous attempts to make daily exercise a lifestyle, this one is different. I don’t have a deadline like a wedding or a ball, so I feel less pressured. I’ve changed my diet to include more vegetables and less salt. I’ve also given up my favorite sugary treats and instead of white rice, I’m eating brown rice, adlai or grains that aren’t polished. I sleep at 11:00 PM instead of 2:00 AM and if I’m being completely honest, I prefer to wear dryfit over some of my favorite clothes. These days, I get hit

by Lululemon ads instead of Mr. Porter and I like it. What I do love is the freedom that I now enjoy. I feel happier thanks to endorphins. I feel much more agile and more importantly, I feel like I own what is soon going to be my best body.

To all those friends that I judged, I owe you an apology. I get it now. Next time, do us a favor and share more details like the name of your exercise and how many reps, please?

@sukisalvador

UNDERCOVER

HIGH ENDURANCE

By ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA Photography THEA MARTIN

WA R M U P Raymond Bagatsing made sure his form was at its optimum through stretches and workouts in between sets

W

hen crafting the summer issue, it is an unspoken requisite, especially since we reside in an aggressively tropical country, that the focus be on body, skin, and well, heat. This shouldn’t be a problem, what with the deluge of men who are veritable poster children for fitness. But we were thinking, while that is part and parcel of the requirement, how else can we take things a step further? Immediately, one word came up: endurance.

With this gestating in our collective conscious, we flipped things around and just as easily as the concept came about, only one name sprang forth when deciding who would front this issue— Raymond Bagatsing.

A tenured actor on stage, film, and television, Raymond Bagatsing is also a prolific acting teacher, as well as, when time permits, a yoga instructor and accidental fitspiration. His isn’t a story of stark transformation, but one that is hinged on an almost lifetime commitment to the flow and balance of martial arts and life in general. Needless

M E GA MA N | A PRIL 201 9 | MEG A MAN .ON EM E G A .COM

ON POINT A product of martial arts, yoga, and a healthy lifestyle, there was no need for deliberate flexing on set

to say, it makes perfect sense that he be the realization of this issue. And it helps immensely that he is dedicated to this facet on an almost spiritual level.

Watching him move and listening to him speak is a transcendental experience, especially in this day and age where we are mostly just concerned with just the surface level. Taking things deeper, Raymond Bagatsing makes us understand that fitness is more than just the physical, but rather a summation of all life’s experiences and realizations.

Is this unexpected? Yes, we’d like to think so. But does it make sense in the grander scheme of things? There wasn’t even a shred of doubt to begin with.

MANUAL: NEON

KENZO S/S ‘19

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I CAN SEE YOU

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Whether it’s at a music festival, a mundane day at work or fun night out, neon is not meant for the shy of style. A definite notice-me-trend, this ubiquitous look will definitely be the highlight of your summer

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by JOSEPH. 9 Neon yellow windbreaker by H&M. 10 Neon acrylic sunglasses by CALVIN KLEIN

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MATTHEW M TTHEW MILLER S/S /S ‘19

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SAINT LAURENT S/S ’19

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SKIN DEEP

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GROOMING

OUT IN THE SUN Brave the perceived incriminating effects of the sun and armor yourself with these tried and tested products that will make you enjoy summer—prickling heat and all B y A N G E LO R A M I R E Z D E C A R TAG E N A

1 P E T ER T H O M A S R OT H

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2 L A M ER

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3 N AT U R A B I S S É

Before you roll your eyes and let out a lamenting groan, know that exfoliation is one of the more essential steps to an efficient grooming routine—one that ultimately reveals pure and almost reborn skin.

This sure way to improve skin texture is encouraged through the C+C Vitamin Scrub by Natura Bissé.

Developed with smoothing micro granules, bitter orange and Rosa Mosqueta seeds, the alphahydroxiacids derived from the gel-like product act M E GA M A N | A P RI L 201 9 | MEG AM AN .ON E M EG A .C OM

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Other lasting effects include: hydration, even skin tone, minimal pores, and a protection of skin’s lipid barrier.

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4 S I S L EY

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Stock up and slather on these summer musthaves, lest you be left with a burning sense of regret after

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5 L A B S ER I E S

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6 AV EDA

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SPECIAL

F E AT U R E

P

ositioned at the fore of the country’s thoroughfare developments, Mark Villar has always believed that roads are teeming with opportunities for the country and its people. He exudes vigor and fortitude—pretty apt for a man governing the nation’s major infrastructure projects, one of which is the flagship Build Build Build program. We spoke with the man heading the program to unearth what advancements and overall impact the Build Build Build project will bring forth.

INNER REFLECTIONS W H AT I S T H E OV ER A L L VISION FOR THE BUILD B U I L D B U I L D I N I T I AT I V E ?

Heavy spending in infrastructure is seen to boost and sustain economic growth. Build Build Build aims to solve congestion, create jobs and alleviate the cost of prices.

It is by far the most ambitious infrastructure program because we’re spending more than twice what any administration has spent on infrastructure. But the basic premise is to make people’s lives easier—less traffic, less flooding.

W HY I S T H I S A P R I O R I T Y O F T H E G OV ER N M EN T ?

There is a need to address the infrastructure deficit. If you don’t spend on infrastructure, you’ll see it come out in our traffic, [for example]. A lot of problems that we have [in our country] is because we are lacking in infrastructure, so it’s about time we invest everything in our infrastructure which is lagging behind other countries.

THE NATION’S FOUNDATION Mark Villar is laying the groundwork for the future of Philippine infrastructure

By KRISTOFF SISON Photography KIERAN PUNAY of STUDIO 100

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I JUS T SIMPLY WA N T T O CRE AT E A P OSI T I V E IMPAC T IN T HE L I V E S OF T HE F IL IPINOS

ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD Mark Villar, on his home balcony, mulls over what’s in store for the future

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WE ’ R E H A L F WAY T H R O U G H T H E T ER M . WH ER E A R E WE ON THE THIS VISION?

To date, I’m proud to say that we’re already on our way through the Golden Age of Infrastructure and I’m confident that by the end of the president’s term, many of our major issues [will see] significant improvements in traffic, disaster resiliency, [and the like]. We have already finished a number of projects such as the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 and Laguna Lake Highway. Moving on, we still have plenty of projects in our pipeline that are set for inauguration and groundbreaking and expect more to come as we continue to build, build, and build. We will really feel the difference in the next few years.

WH I C H C I T I E S I N T H E P H I L I P P I N E S D O YO U T H I N K I NV E S TO R S S H O U L D PAY M O R E AT T ENT I O N TO A PA R T F R O M M E T R O M A N I L A?

Given that the Build Build Build program is targeted to decongest the major thoroughfares, to provide seamless transportation of goods and services, as well as to improve the social mobility of the Filipinos, the projects that are being carried out are dispersed within the whole country. We really went out of our way to make sure that the distribution of the spending in infrastructure is equitable throughout all the regions, so practically in every region, there is a major infrastructure program—a game-changing infrastructure program. In fact, we have already been implementing various flagship projects outside Luzon to provide avenues for growth, particularly in Visayas with the Metro Cebu Expressway, and Mindanao with the Panguil Bay Bridge.

If you look at any of the cities in any region, you will see that there are programs that will improve [it] and make it more attractive to investors.

TAKING THE LEAD Mark Villar is paving the way for change

WH AT S EC TO R O F S O C I E T Y WO U L D YO U L I K E TO M A K E A CO NT R I B U T I O N TO ASIDE FROM THE C U R R ENT P R O J EC T S YO U ’ R E WO R K I N G O N?

I just simply want to create a positive impact in the lives of the Filipinos through the timely and safe implementation of the infrastructure projects within the Build Build Build program, but we really go out of our way to look outside our comfort zone and look to help in any way we can. We always want to help in many ways. For instance, we have our Convergence Program wherein we help with tourism, and we also help our uniformed personnel—our armed forces. For me, I’ll consider it as one of my greatest achievements if I’ll be able to help in alleviating the traffic condition and [help in the] modernization of our roadways that will enable Filipinos to spend lesser time on the road and more time with their families and loved ones.

M E GA MA N | APR I L 20 1 9 | M EG A M A N . O N E ME GA .C O M

L AY I T Lashes add a worn out depth to denim

Denim jeans

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THE ENDURANCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT What was intended to be a threshing of the foray into fitness, craft, and life of Raymond Bagatsing quickly takes a life of its own and becomes a session of insight and clarity that is by all means necessary lesson for humanity today

By ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA Photography JERICK SANCHEZ of NEW MONARQ

Art direction JANN PASCUA. Styling ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA. Grooming ANTON PATDU of NEW MONARQ. Hair CATS DEL ROSARIO of ARTISTS & CO. MANILA. Shoot Coordination THEA MARTIN. Shot on location at THE CREATIVX STUDIO. Special thanks to TINGGAY VENTOSA of ALV TALENT CIRCUIT

IN THE LIGHT When pairing denim, it is important to consider complementing washes

Denim jacket by UNIQLO and denim jeans by GUESS

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haven’t eaten anything today, or drank water,” reveals Raymond Bagatsing under a huff of breath, perhaps a result of being winded by the asphyxiating heat closing in from beyond the intimidating glass doors where we stood. “Don’t worry, I have peanut butter with me to tide me over,” he follows up, as if sensing the collective panic in our eyes.

We dutifully offer him to have lunch first, which he politely declines. He has to be in top condition after all, especially since physique and skin in dramatic contrasts of chiaroscuro tones were the key visuals that afternoon. “I’ll be fine,” he finishes, assuring us with a smile.

Not that there was even a shred of doubt, since the tenured actor in his prime is a practicing yogi, as evidenced in the physical realm by a build that is for lack of a better term, seemingly sculpted by the gods. Buffed in an enviable tan, with cuts that run deep and flexes that don’t need much tension, Raymond Bagatsing is fit by pretty much every standard. But more than just the perceived surface, there lies more to his grasp on fitness than just a standard routine. It is, in fact, a world away from the usual, as we begin to navigate our conversation; legs crossed and slouched on a couch far, far from the aggressive line of attack of the sun.

THE ART OF COMBAT

“I’ve started martial arts when I was 12 years old,” he begins. “I did Kung-Fu when I was living in Melbourne, Australia. And then I got into taekwondo for the kicks, and I got into kickboxing…I was always into something. I’ve done a lot—Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, Aikido, a little bit of grappling. It’s a fascination for me, combative art.” Nothing unusual, especially for a boy growing up, where everything about it seemed cool—the split-second jabs, the deceptively forceful kicks, the light-as-air flying—the fascination for martial arts stemmed from something a little bit more serious and of concern, bullying. “I was bullied too, as a kid. I was just the quiet kid, so I guess it was natural that I leaned towards meditation. But there were bullies in school and I realized why I need to learn how to fight, until I became fascinated afterwards,” he explains. “It was really self-defense, but after a while, I got into it, the philosophy of all these martial arts where it wasn’t just about fighting.

I realized that the deeper I got, the more I got into meditation. It’s no longer violent; it’s more of how to control and being able to use what you’ve learned.”

Suddenly, something borne of necessary belligerence eased itself, flowing into a more intelligent, more distilled form of thinking. “Actually, most of our champions in boxing and martial arts, if you regress back to their childhood, you will see that they are more like geeks, but not in a negative way. They’re very cerebral, and when they get into it, they’re much more efficient. It’s not just anger, because they fight smart,” he relates. Not only did he get into martial arts from a physical and mental point-of-view, but the continuous interface with

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I T HEL P ED UNDER S TA NDING T HE MIND I T SEL F, BE C AUSE A S A N A DULT, YOU’RE CON V INCED YOU K NO W E V ERY T HING A L R E A DY, SO YOU DON’ T WA N T T O E X P ERIE NCE NE W T HING S A N Y MOR E

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contact sports allowed him to shape a mind-set that was wise beyond his tender and formative years.

“When I discovered Bruce Lee, and I started reading his books—and they’re very deep—the philosophies of stillness, being one with the universe, being like water my friend and flow…I was like, wow. He became some sort of a father figure, because he taught me so much as a kid, which made me latch on and apply it to my youth.”

For Raymond Bagatsing, his growing grit and mettle in martial arts was a lot less about fighting back, but more about understanding how force and flow coalesce into an urgent reality. Digging deep into the philosophies, codified systems and traditions of different combative arts, he was able to extract a common denominator that he would further frame the way he led his life from then on, which was through meditation.

HOW TO BE HAPPY

A diligent meditator for almost 20 years, clocking in a Namaste session of an hour to two hours a day to find his center and maintain an overriding calm, Raymond has seemingly rescinded a clinging to earthly limits, which has in effect allowed him to focus on achieving a conceivable best version of himself. “Walang patid ‘yun,” he says. “I was taught by an Indian monk into tantric meditation, which is also why I became vegetarian. I’m also a yoga instructor. I researched, I delved into it and I practiced it. It helped understanding the mind itself, because as an adult, you’re convinced you know everything already, so you don’t want to experience new things anymore.”

Pushing him far from what is highly unnecessary; this ancient practice has trained him to develop an acute sense of attention and awareness, one that has

M EG A M A N . O N EM E G A . C O M | A PR I L 2 0 1 9 | M EG A MA N

AT EASE An unlikely pair, denim lends itself well to tailoring

Denim blazer and denim tie-waisted trousers both

by UNIQLO and sneakers by H&M

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BE C A REF UL W H AT YOU A SK F OR , BE C AUSE I T MIGH T NO T BE YOUR H A P P INE S S. YOU MIGH T GE T I T, BU T I T C A N TA K E AWAY SOME T HING F ROM YOU T H AT YOU MIGH T NE V ER F IND AG A IN —YOUR SEL F

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AN UPGRADE Elevate your sleeveless go-to by opting for a knitted version

White knitted top by UNIQLO and denim jeans by GUESS

THINK THROUGH Darker washes exude a sense of maturity to the typical nonchalance of denim

Denim jeans with zipper detail by GUESS

B A R E YO U R B E S T Strike an interesting dissonance with an almost sheer piece and denim

Sheer camo shirt by GUESS and denim trousers by UNIQLO

encouraged a mindful connection to his entire being.

“As they said, use the mind for your service, but don’t let it use you, because the mind thinks on its own whether you like it or not,” he cautions. “For example, if you think sadness or happiness, it searches all of that and your mind jumps from one to another. And that is what happens when people age, that there is too much memory that one cannot add more into the now, because they keep looking back or wallow and just stay there.”

This heightened form of awareness, while it works for some, only takes away from the joy of living life. “I always say that the adult mind-set is overrated, because most adults are unhappy,” he says. Why? “Only because adults become too intelligent.”

Clearly on to something, we press him further, as if on a quest to find the missing link to society’s understanding of humanity. “For me, all these years culminate into one beautiful quote, which can be taken negative or positive: ‘That life is a cosmic joke.’

It’s just a joke. One day, you’re going to die, and you can’t take anything with you,” he expounds. “So, your ego, or whatever you amass is really useless, and you’ll be lonely because you don’t know what to do before your death. And that’s what meditation does; it has led me to something much deeper than just that.”

More than just a lifestyle or steady rhythm of inhales and exhales, this mindfulness has expanded his horizon, making him understand what it really, truly is to be a man for himself and subsequently, others. “I’m still awed by a lot of things in life,” he says, explaining how being child-like has lent itself well to his quantifiable adult state. “So, when people ask me what my plans are, I say, ‘I don’t really plan anymore.’ I just let the universe be. I just stay here and I’m happier that way.”

LIFE AND ENLIGHTENMENT

Now, what started out as an intended discovery on fitness has shifted into a spiritual discourse and philosophical enlightenment, one that is perhaps ultimately necessary in this day and age of sensitivity, turmoil and a downward spiral of the human race.

Needless to say, our mind was blown and mouths were agape at every drop of a truth that should be resonating with you right now.

From beyond the confines of the figurative glass bowl of this conversation, it is fairly easy to dismiss this as unqualified clichés. However, as it unravelled in a silky and steady cadence, there is really much to be learned from Raymond Bagatsing’s trove of life experiences. “It seems to me, because I follow Eckhart Tolle, you know, the power of now, and all these enlightened teachings, that I have just allowed to let things flow. And I do experiment with that, just letting it be, and it just comes. And sometimes, the things that come are the desires of your subconscious. It actually attracts it when you’re not trying too hard to reach for it,” he says. “There’s a greater intelligence out there and you have to be receptive to the energy. If you are eager…the more you want something, the more it moves away with you, and you work many times more. On the other hand, when you meditate, or when you have quiet time with whoever you respect, it knows it.”

M E GA M A N | A P RI L 201 9 | MEG AM AN .ON E M EG A .C OM

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A L L T HE SE T HING S T H AT W ER E E MBEDDED IN YOU AT SUCH A YOUNG A GE , I T DOE SN’ T R E A L LY ME A N T H AT I T C A N M A K E YOU H A P P Y. SO, I JUS T L E T T HING S BE IN T O T HIS UNI V ER S A L BEING T O K NO W A ND GI V E W H AT I T T HINK S C A N HEL P ME

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Halfway through the flurry of the day’s activities, he excuses himself politely and settles into a full lotus position on the floor. Obviously in a zone undisturbed, we see his solid breaths build on his chest and eventually deflating into a phase of ease in secondary increments. This would go on for a little while before he comes back to consciousness, revved up and ready to power through the remaining shots lined up. If it is even humanly possible to exhibit a lightness of being and contentment, then Raymond Bagatsing is the clear-cut definition as told by scriptures. Reminding us that things are more than what they seem or are, he rounds out the session with a truth bomb that if we are completely being transparent here, still has us stunned. “All these things that were embedded in you at such a young age, it doesn’t really mean that it can make you happy. So, I just let things be into this universal being to know and give what it thinks can help me,” he says. And just before he loosens his grip on this wisdom, he guts us with a definitive punctuation. “Be careful what you ask for, because it might not be your happiness. You might get it, but it can take away something from you that you might never find again—yourself.”

TIED UP Looser iterations give denim a summerready appeal

Denim blazer and denim trousers both

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FAC E I T Incorporate a tropical vibe to your look with wooden beaded bracelets

B AC K AT I T Linen staples are your best bet for a sunrise to sunset affair

Light blue linen button-down by UNIQLO and denim jeans by GUESS

IS IT ALL IN YOUR HEAD? We’ve met them when we were much younger, perhaps convinced that they lived right under our beds or in the shadowy depths of the creaking closet within plain sight. Far from the imaginary midnight intimidations we have gotten way past, it seems that this time, the monsters are back and they aren’t playing around

B y A N G E LO R A M I R E Z D E C A R TAG E N A P h o t o g r a p hy PAT R I C K D I O K N O o f N E W M O N A R Q . Grooming T H O M A S C I P R I A N O. Model LU K A S ( N E W M O N A R Q )

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I N T H E DA R K Showing no signs of slowing down, the 90s takeover continues with the proliferation of cargo pants On Lukas White

sheer shirt, white velour multi-pocket cargo pants, red sneakers, and white sunglasses all by LOUIS VUITTON. On The Monster Purple

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OF MONSTERS AND MEN Face the sun with a pair of sunglasses that are big, bold, and yes, black On Lukas Black

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AH, REAL MONSTERS Take the color game up by pairing bold choices together such as a vivid primary and punched up fluoros On Lukas Fluoro-orange knitted

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GET OUT Ease on down the road of style by wearing florals with your trusty denim On Lukas Rose-printed

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by HA MU

MONSTERS INC. Precise tailoring gets a dose of comfort in relaxed, roomy silhouettes On Lukas Cream suit set and white buttondown all by LOUIS VUITTON. On The Monster Pink sheer

top, quilted skirt, orange skirt and knitted mask all by HA MU

TA K E C O N T R O L The club kid essentials get an immaculate spin in pristine white On Lukas White sheer

shirt, white velour multi-pocket cargo pants, sneakers, and white sunglasses all by LOUIS VUITTON. On The Monster Purple

asymmetrical top, sheer skirt, orange sheer skirt, and knitted mask all by HA MU

GET OUT Subdue the vibrancy of summer florals with a neutral tailored piece On Lukas Rose-printed

hooded jacket, black wide-legged trousers and sneakers all by LOUIS VUITTON. On The Monster Pink

sheer top, quilted skirt, orange skirt and knitted mask all by HA MU

STREET

NOW PL AYING: HEAVY METAL Flash the summer season some serious dose of glimmer, glint, and gleam as metallic and sequins shimmy way past the disco era and into current statement making fashion

By ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA

STYLE TIP It is best to let a glittered piece take center stage. Pair it with quiet neutrals to give balance.

THE SHINING A showman staple, this head-turning trend is not for the modest in style

M E GA M A N | A P RI L 201 9 | MEG AM AN .ON E M EG A .C OM