Cover Walk through the footsteps of trailblazing Filipinas at the ‘Her Life’ exhibit, as it visits Eastwood and the Venice Grand Canal, McKinley Hill

Get to know the Filipina women featured in this immersive exhibit

Wherever you look, women are leading the way, be it in business, science, fashion, or sports. They make their undeniable presence felt, forever shaping the world around them. Megaworld Lifestyle Malls is paying tribute to these incredible individuals with an exhibit titled Her Life. Featuring photographs by Rxandy Capinpin. The portraits in the gallery give a glimpse into their lives and accomplishments, inviting guests to witness the inspiring journeys of Filipinas who have made remarkable contributions to society.

In case you missed it: From track to tech: Meet Mench Dizon, the marathoner pushing a digital future for Filipinos

Meet the Women of ‘Her Life’

Beauty and Fashion

Tatler Asia
Above Jasmine Chua, the founder of Issy & Co and a Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow, is revolutionising beauty products for all

Jasmine Chua

The founder and CEO of Issy & Co and a Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow, Chua sought to create a beauty line that celebrates creative freedom. Her brand uses vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and paraben-free beauty products—all of which are affordable and easy to use. Her physical store, Issy, opened at Uptown Bonifacio last November, ready to serve women who serve.

Tatler Asia
Above Farillas is making waves in the fashion world while highlighting Filipino talent

Roxanne Ang Farillas


A keen eye and passion for fashion led Farillas to establish Plains & Prints in 1994. She is also the co-founder of R.A.F. Manila, featuring stylish and contemporary outfits for the modern woman, and Recess, which highlights activewear and chic, casual attire. Through her collaborations with local designers and photographers, she puts Filipino talent front and centre, creating pieces that inspire confidence and beauty. Plains & Prints has branches in Uptown Bonifacio, Eastwood City, and the Venice Grand Canal at McKinley Hill.

Tatler Asia
Above Reese Fernandez-Ruiz strongly believes in sustainable fashion and empowering women

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz


Sustainability and fashion go hand-in-hand at Rags2Riches, founded by Fernandez-Ruiz. Every handmade and handwoven bag, accessory, and article of clothing is made with upcycled fabrics and materials. Fernandez-Ruiz is dedicated to empowering marginalised communities, especially women, by creating livelihood opportunities through ethical fashion.

Culture and Arts

Tatler Asia
Above Escobar's storytelling surprises, excites, and inspires

Martika Ramirez Escobar


Her debut film, Leonor Will Never Die, won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival—making her the first Filipino director to achieve this distinction. Escobar, another 2022 Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow, is known for her unique and unconventional storytelling style, and she remains a staunch advocate for independent cinema in the Philippines.

Tatler Asia
Above Joy Virata and Mindy Perez-Rubio of Repertory Philippines are the pillars of local theatre

Joy Virata and Mindy Perez-Rubio

Theatre is a delicate art, fuelled by passionate actors who bring stories to life. Virata serves as the creative director of Repertory Philippines,  Perez-Rubio is its president and CEO. Their productions range from classics, comedies, and dramas, as well as children’s musicals through their Rep Theater for Young Audiences. Their 500-seat theatre is located on the fourth floor of the Eastwood Citywalk.

Science and Technology

Tatler Asia
Above Dr Reinabelle Reyes is encouraging the youth to appreciate the sciences

Dr Reinabelle Reyes 

Through PinoyScientists, a platform that showcases the lives and experiences of Filipino scientists, Dr Reyes encourages the youth to pursue careers in STEM. She is notably the director of the Space Science Missions Bureau at the Philippine Space Agency, as well as a recipient of the 2023 NAST Outstanding Young Scientist Award for Astrophysics.

Tatler Asia
Above Michelle Alarcon is spearheading the responsible use of artifical intelligence

Michelle Alarcon


Alarcon is the president of Z-Lift Solutions, a business analytics company, and the Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines, which pushes forward the responsible use of AI technologies in order to integrate them into the Philippine landscape through workshops, conferences, and collaborations. She also provides data science scholarships for underprivileged women, and mentors the next generation of professionals.

Sports

Tatler Asia
Above Philippine Padel Association founder Alenna Dawn is proving the mettle of Filipino athletes everywhere

Alenna Dawn

Padel is seeing a meteoric surge in popularity in the Philippines, and Dawn is at the forefront. As the founder and chair of the Philippine Padel Association and CEO of the Manila Padel Club, she hopes to foster an inclusive community of athletes, families, and friends. The local sports scene has gained a remarkable and invaluable individual in Dawn, who believes that the country has what it takes to compete at the highest level. The Manila Padel Club has a court in Arcovia City.

See more: Alex Eala makes tennis history as first Filipino to defeat a top-10 opponent at Miami Open

Culinary Arts

Tatler Asia
Above Chef Florabel Yatco delights with her restaurants that serve both beloved classics and international favourites

Florabel Yatco

A powerful and pioneering force in the Philippine culinary scene, Yatco is a chef who has made an indelible mark in the industry. She has built a thriving restaurant group in a highly competitive environment, redefining the Filipino classics we know and love, and dishes across international cuisines. Her acclaimed restaurants include Crisostomo, El Corazon, and the eponymously named Florabel.

Voices

Tatler Asia
Above Ann & Billie Dumaliang oversee the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, conserving the flora and fauna within

Ann & Billie Dumaliang


The steadfast Dumaliang sisters are co-founders and trustees of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation. They have fought against encroaching loggers, miners, and property developers to preserve the area’s natural beauty and integrity. They have—and continue to—work tirelessly to protect the Georeserve’s 60-million–year-old limestones, 400 species of flora and fauna, as well as the 40,000 trees their foundation has planted.

Tatler Asia
Above Atty Heidi Caguioa is a tireless voice for animal rights and welfare

Atty Heidi Caguioa

An urgently needed voice in animal welfare, Atty Caguioa is the programme director of the Animal Kingdom Foundation, which works closely with non-government organisations to safeguard animal rights and combat cruelty. She has tirelessly championed laws, education, and awareness against animal abuse, inspiring many others to do the same.

Tatler Asia
Above Karmina Constantino-Torrez is a respected journalist who is always after truth and transparency

Karmina Constantino-Torrez


Journalism requires grit, integrity, and the bravery to ask tough questions. These are certainly qualities that Constantiono-Torrez espouses as an award-winning journalist. Her fearless pursuit of complex issues is a testament to this—seeking the truth against all odds.

Join us at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls where we’re celebrating ‘Her Life: A Celebration of Women Who Lead’, an exhibit honouring remarkable Filipina women who are shaping our world. The gallery will be on display at Eastwood until March 24, and at Venice Grand Canal, McKinley Hill from March 25 to 31. Visit their Facebook @megaworldlifestylemalls to learn more.

NOW READ

Actress Jo Berry is redefining representation and championing little people in the entertainment industry

Francesca Ayala is challenging gender bias with humour and reshaping the Philippine comedy scene through Bitches In Stitches

John Herrera makes his Paris Fashion Week debut, taking Filipino textiles to the world stage

Credits

Photography: Megaworld Lifestyle Malls
Tobias Jared Tomas
Associate Editor for Branded Content and Tatler GMT, Tatler Philippines
Tatler Asia
Tobias Jared Tomas

About

Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles. 

He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.

Work

Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.