The Faces of Now: Meet the Next Generation of MEGA’s Most Beautiful 

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

Romarie Fonseca is wearing a LVNA BY DRAKE DUSTIN necklace
Romarie Fonseca is wearing a LVNA BY DRAKE DUSTIN necklace

“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 

Jeska Sta Teresa is wearing a necklace and earring by BULGARI
Jeska Sta Teresa is wearing a necklace and earrings by BULGARI

“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 

Craig Uy is wearing a CARTIER earring, neckalce, and ring
Craig Uy is wearing a CARTIER earring, neckalce, and ring

“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 

Juliette Dizon is wearing a JANINA DIZON earring and necklaces
Juliette Dizon is wearing JANINA DIZON earrings and necklaces

“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 

Shaha Meta is wearing JANINA DIZON necklaces
Shaha Meta is wearing JANINA DIZON necklaces

“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 

Bethany Talbot is wearing an earring and a necklace by CARTIER
Bethany Talbot is wearing earrings and necklace by CARTIER

“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 

Brandon Espiritu is wearing a CARTIER necklace and watch
Brandon Espiritu is wearing a CARTIER necklace and watch

“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 

Franz Garcia is wearing a TIFFANY & CO. necklace
Franz Garcia is wearing a TIFFANY & CO. necklace

“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 

Sai Versailles is wearing a TIFFANY & CO. earring
Sai Versailles is wearing a TIFFANY & CO. earring

“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 

Akiro Orteza is wearing a TIFFANY & CO. necklace
Akiro Orteza is wearing a TIFFANY & CO. necklace

“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 

Selina Woo Bhang is wearing a necklace by LVNA BY DRAKE DUSTIN
Selina Woo Bhang is wearing a necklace by LVNA BY DRAKE DUSTIN

“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 

Gelo Rivera is wearing a TIFFANY & CO. necklace
Gelo Rivera is wearing a TIFFANY & CO. necklace

“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 

Criza Taa is wearing TIFFANY & CO. earrings
Criza Taa is wearing TIFFANY & CO. earrings

“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. Art Direction 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. 

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The Faces of Now: Meet the Next Generation of MEGA’s Most Beautiful 
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