Bags Fashion: Lifestyle Asia, September Issue

Sometime in late June, I got that "call". That I was chosen to be on the cover of the September style issue of LIFESTYLE ASIA, the premier luxury lifestyle magazine in the Philippines published by One Mega Group.

The August issue of Lifestyle Asia had Donald Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr. on the cover. So I was genuinely floored when I was asked. No false modesty here, but me? Why me? Thoughts that ran through my mind:

Really???? Me???!?!?!
Am I worthy?! OMG.
What if they change their mind??
Do I really deserve to be on the cover! (Yessss, no drama here when I asked myself that question lol)

LOL. Yes those were among a few of my thoughts. It was unbelievable. A call I shall never forget. First of all, I love the team behind One Mega Group (Mega Magazine, Lifestyle Asia are 2 of the titles I never fail to read). Second, to be given that chance to work with them is something that I have secretly looked forward to doing.

After I had arrived from a trip in July, the shoot happened. It was really surreal. I was already at the shoot but I still could not help but pinch myself! And really, I cannot even find words that could accurately describe how I had felt then.

Here are some of the outtakes (taken by my friend from my own camera) from the shoot held at Junjun Ablaza's beautiful home, which I would like to share with you all :)

More lipstick, more concealer! Make up really does wonders :) Make up by Pong Niu and hair by Alee Benson

Stylists for the shoot were Cristina Gomez and Gio Gahol (seen here with Alee Benson)

Looking into the lens of ace photographer Arlu Gomez

Jun Jun's place is really incredible. A visual feast!

Art direction by the very talented creative director, Suki Salvador

I really loooove this dress!!

At the shoot, top LA top editors Anna Sobrepeña and Cheryl Tiu were also on- hand. One Mega Group's PR manager Tedrick Yau even popped in to say hello :) It was an incredibly overwhelming experience, really. Writer Gaby Ignacio who penned the feature story was also there and we had a wonderful chat in between the shoots. I went through 6 or 7 different outfits changes (for options, as creative director Suki Salvador would say), and we ended late in the afternoon. But every single second of being with this team only made me realize how brilliant each of them were and how incredibly professional and cohesive they worked together as a team. I was really very impressed. And this is the reason why their luxe lifestyle magazine is number one.

So without further ado (I was sooo nervous about this, really), here is the cover of September issue's LIFESTYLE ASIA :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH, LIFESTYLE ASIA!!!

To the incredibly talented LA September issue team (Anna, Cheryl, Suki, Arlu, Cristina, Gio, Alee, Pong, Gaby) and to OMG, I am really so honored. Grateful. Thank you so much for believing in me and for always being so supportive of me :) *Teary- eyed -- haha Oscar moment. LOL ohhkay*

And to my dear friends and readers, please please do buy a copy of Lifestyle Asia's September issue, out now in newsstands and bookstores everywhere. I loved their final selection of photos and the accompanying story :)!

Happy weekend, everyone-- and don't forget to buy a copy!!!! :)

TheBagHag