Megan Young: Cheers to the Good Life

Time flies way too fast when you’re having fun, and I think that’s exactly what happened this 2017. Looking back at the year that was, especially with our roster of stellar cover girls-from the fashion-forward Lauren Reid, to winner of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 5, Maureen Wroblewitz, and now to a world-class wonder and Miss World 2013 winner, Megan Young, it gives us all the more reason to celebrate our Anniversary Issue and ending 2017 with a bang.

And so, with a few days left to December, our final Ode to Beauty is the Queen of Contour herself—Kim Kardashian, who Megan effortlessly channeled in a nude ensemble coupled by the perfect makeup look care of Anton Patdu. Love Kim Kardashian or hate her, you’ve got to admit that she’s quite the force when it comes to setting trends in the world of beauty.

In our last cover story of the year, I was able to see a glimpse of what Megan Young wants for her future, her upcoming plans and projects, and how with everything that has happened, it’s so easy to just pop the champagne and say cheers to the good life!

Five years from now, where do you see yourself or what do you see yourself doing?

I’ll probably still be in the business. But I want to able to put up my own company by then. I’ll probably be a mom by the next five years, to be honest. So I’m excited to see what my little family will look like by then.

Can you name the top three things you have yet to tick off your bucket list?

Yet to tick off, hmmm. Make a Hollywood film? (laughs). That’s a dream. I mean—I feel like that’s a lot of people’s dreams anyway. So I’m up there with a lot of people and having that dream. What else? I did a safari already. But maybe a safari number two, out in the open! What else? I think—do a vacation by myself.

Like travel alone?

Yeah. Go on a vacation by myself. I haven’t really done that yet. So that’s something I want to do. And travel with my brother, sister, and mom. We haven’t done that yet. Since we were kids. So I think now that we’re older, that’s something I want to be able to do with them.

Do you have any upcoming local projects that you’ll be doing anytime soon?

I do, but we tape in January. And I have an interesting love team. (laughs)

We’ll watch out for that one! If given the chance, who local artists would you like to work with?

Local artist…oooh. Shocks. A lot. I want to work with so many people. Like there are a lot of, you know, women actors that I want to work with. Because with us, usually it’s love teams. There aren’t a lot of stories for women to really get together and have that empowering movement. I mean, you know, there’s Encantandia, which is great, where we have women leads. So I want a project that’s all women power. Women empowerment. Honestly, I want to work with and do a project with, of course, Pia, and of course, Kylie. I hope we have a project where it’s us three.

Yeah, that would be so nice!

Right? Super cool! Like really, women empowerment! And then who else? There’s really so many. When I was younger, I would always watch Clique. Like oh my gosh, I would watch it when I was younger and saw the Angel and Richard tandem. They were the first love team that I ever got to watch. I didn’t even know what a love team was at that time, but they were the ones that I got to watch. Maybe I’d love to work with Angel or the duo, Angel and Marian—“Gelian.” (laughs) Working with iconic people is something that I look forward to because they’re such strong women and you know, that’s the type of energy that I would love to experience.

Is there anything you wish to pursue outside of the industry?

Outside of the industry, I’d really love to put up my own NGO. Like really push for something that hasn’t been tapped here yet. I really want to help out young girls. There are a lot of things that haven’t been tapped because of restrictions—like people find it taboo. But I want to be able to put something towards bringing confidence into young women and making sure that they have the support that they need, and the information that they need for themselves and their bodies. I think that’s very important. Access to health care, access to birth control, or knowing what birth control is about. I personally don’t use it but I have friends that do. I have friends who use it for PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). So for people to think that things like that, or have this belief that things like birth control are just to prevent pregnancy, I think that’s misinformation right there. And I want to able to go around and give the right information to young women and girls in the provinces and teach them more about themselves and their bodies. I think that’s really something that I want for the future.

What are your thoughts on the local beauty scene? In terms of the number of
brands we have available, and how Filipinas are becoming more into beauty?

It’s amazing! Me, I love it. I love watching Filipino vloggers. It inspires me to do my own. I actually filmed one, but I haven’t edited it because I’m so shy! Like I have seen even teenagers posting.

Actually, one of the ones that I know, Hannah Pangilinan, is so cute! I watch her vlogs all the time. I love it because they’re creating brands for themselves and they’re creating information. Like I said, they’re creating information for girls and other women, and it’s like, “Oh my gosh! I didn’t know you could do that!” So it’s nice to have that kind of community, and Filipinas really taking care of themselves. It’s not just being maarte, but it’s more of you’re taking yourself and you’re loving yourself. And for me, that’s super important.

With all the brands and trends coming out, is there any that you follow? And are there any trends that you’ve seen in other countries that you think we’ll be picking up any time soon?

I really like Japanese fashion! (laughs) I love the loose clothing and how it’s so comfortable, plus you can breathe! Me, personally, I’m not a fan of tight clothing. From time to time, yeah. But I love how Japanese fashion, especially now, is so relaxed and so “everyday-friendly.” You can really step it up a bit or be chill. And I like that. I’m not super into trends except when it’s for beauty. If it’s fashion, I won’t really spend that much. I’m not a true material girl like Madonna. (laughs) Like what Madonna says in her song. So yeah, I’d rather spend on makeup than clothes.

Okay, last question. What else don’t people normally know about you? Or that they don’t really see?

In this part of the interview, Megan turns to her assistant.

Megan: Sa, what do people not know about me?
Sa: Na mabait ka po.
Megan: Che! (laughs)
Sa: Others think masungit ka.
Megan: (laughs) It depends. I guess I’m misinterpreted a lot because I’m very straight-forward. (laughs) So I’ve learned how to say things in a different way now. Before I’d just be like, “Why? Why is it like this? Why is it like that?” But I’ve learned that people aren’t always going to adjust to you. You have to also learn how to adjust. So I meet halfway with people and if I want something, there’s always a nice way to say it. So throughout the years, I’ve learned how to say thanks in a nicer way, but still being straight-forward. Because I really can’t lie! It’s hard for me to lie. That’s why I always ask questions. “Is this okay? Is that okay? Should we adjust the makeup or the hair or whatnot?” And for me, I do that because I want to collaborate with the artist. If they say no, let’s not do this because this is the reason, and then I’d look at it, and if we come to a conclusion where I’m like, “Yeah. You’re right,” at least I wasn’t afraid to ask my question. I wasn’t afraid to raise my concern, because if not, then I would have been thinking about it the whole day. That’s also the good thing about the people that I work with. We all know how we work. Walang samaan ng loob. And if ever I feel that somebody’s upset, I’ll talk to them. I guess many people don’t know that I’m straight-forward honest—sometimes too honest. (laughs)

Before the year ends, be sure to catch up with us on all things beauty and lifestyle. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTub e channel!