SARI WILL SEE YOU NOW
To the next generation of MEGA editors, Sari Yap was a larger-than-life figure who surprised us by meeting us halfway
I REMEMBER YOU
Those were the first words Sari Yap said when I entered her room. I’d applied in MEGA years before, back when the internet was the Internet and no one was ashamed of Yahoo! Mail. I was so nervous for my meeting with Sari that I’d asked sartorial advice from my mom, my titas, all my friends and an ex-boyfriend. The interview went well despite my clammy hands and vigorous, unnecessary nodding. Perhaps Sari saw something beyond the jittery figure because she sent me home with a job offer that day, one that I didn’t accept because I was a terrible twentysomething, full of misplaced self-confidence and self-loathing. I had many friends in the industry, which was then full of Gucci Gangs and a rave mentality—work hard, but party harder. My gut told me I would lose myself in a storm of entitlement and precociousness.
The second time I entered Sari’s office, several years later, I was more sure about myself, my ambitions and even my fashion choices. I felt ready to join her vision. “I remember you,” she said as soon as I sat down. How can a woman of her stature, who meets so many people, handles so many things, remember a person who didn’t even work for her? But she did. This time only my voice faltered when she beamed at me. Oh, to get that seal of approval from the woman herself. Everyone who’s ever been at the receiving end of it understands the feeling. “You won’t get lost—I’m sure,” she said as I left her office. I would take some wrong turns, but she was right: I would always get back.—TRINA EPILEPSIABOUTAIN, Managing Editor
STRONGER NOW
Getting called to meet Miss Sari in her office is the same as going to the principal’s office—you know you probably did something major, otherwise she wouldn’t have given you her time of day. During my earlier years in MEGA, I’ve had my fair share of those major things. Whether it was for a cover shoot not worthy of seeing the light of day or layout designs that did not serve purpose in communicating its intentions, Miss Sari was never one to hold back. The best thing about her is that she will always say it as it is—no sugar coating, no fluff—just the plain hard truth. It’s only a matter of learning not to take things personally and discovering a silver lining in everything she will tell you. We’re not kidding when we say only the strong survive with Miss Sari. The lessons she imparted are worth holding onto, not just for your career but for all aspects of your life.—JANN PASCUA, Associate Creative Director
SAVE A SEAT
Having joined the company only two years ago, I had limited experiences with Sari, but whenever I encountered her, it was always so memorable. One moment in particular stands out for me: back when I was very new to MEGA, I happened to be seated beside her at an event. She soon began asking me about my online articles, questioning me about which fared better, how many views they got and then suggesting ways I could do better. Initially, I was intimidated by her. But I soon realized that it wasn’t every day that you come across someone as passionate as her. She simply cares about what she does, and she’s constantly looking for ways to improve. This is an attitude I hope we can all carry with us as we continue her legacy.—MARELLA RICKETTS, Beauty & Feaetures Associate
“THE
BEST ABOUT HER IS THAT WILL ALWAYS SAY IT AS IT IS—NO SUGAR COATING, NO FLUFF— JUST THE PLAIN
TRUTH” HARD
BETTER LATE
Taking a leap of faith towards my dream job of being a Fashion Editor in 2016 meant meeting the woman who reached for her own dreams and beyond: the legendary SVY. Ms. Sari’s name alone was enough to inspire fear and awe, and that indeed was what I felt after learning that she wished to interview me for the editorial position in MEG. I was running late—16 minutes to be exact—and I apologized profusely when we finally met, but she just nonchalantly asked, “Oh, are you late?” and proceeded with the interview.
What followed was a stressful—yet inspiring—surreal blur, to say the least. But what stayed with me three years later were her words:
1. What’s the point of doing something if it would not yield results?
2. Everything must stem from logic— even the wildest of fashion styling.
3. You must know yourself as much as you know your market.
4. Stay strong and stay positive; when all things fail, you will not.
I may have occasionally lost sight of these lessons along the way, but having reread her quotes, watched her in video clips and listened to people’s stories of her recently brought it all back—and I’ll never lose them ever again. Thank you, Ms. Sari. Thank you for believing in me and seeing my inner energy. Rest in Power. – RJ ROQUE, Social Media Editor
MAKE A MOVE
Before officially joining the company, I was an intern with high hopes of one day making it. It was the peak of high-voltage glossy pages that time. One day, I found myself sharing the elevator with SVY herself. We were the only two people inside. She didn’t utter a word, but I felt her eyes go through every little detail of my hand-me-down outfit, making me hold my breath. This was the woman in the Making MEGA films, and who helmed the best fashion magazine in the Philippines. She walked with power, commanding attention in any room and basked with a knowledge of fashion and business. It was a privilege for a hopeful like me, seeing her in her prime.
Five years passed. I had just returned to the Philippines after studying briefly at Central Saint Martins. One would think having a prestigious fashion school in your bag would land you a high position anywhere, but life isn’t a movie. I was feeling lost with no purpose and I had to work my way up. Armed with everything I knew and all that I’ve been through, I applied for a graphic designer position at MEGA. I didn’t get the job—because they had another one in mind for me: Fashion Associate. Next thing I knew, I was set for a final interview with SVY. The first thing she asked me was, “What is your intention in MEGA?” Then, “Are you here for the fame and the perks? If yes, this job is not for you. You must know how to make a name for yourself the right way.” I felt a tingle down my spine as she questioned me, but I did not bluff. She reminded me of the reason why I chose this industry and I answered her truthfully. “You may start on Monday,” she said. I was thrilled. “You have a long way to go, but I like your spirit.” Joining MEGA felt like stepping on the set of The Devil Wears Prada, complete with all the drama and glamour (which comprises just 15% of the job but 100% looking the part). Here I am, one year later, devoting myself to finding new designers and artists to the game, doing my very best to live up to the legacy she left behind.—LYN ALUMNO, Fashion Associate
SHE’S A WOMAN
When it comes to hard work, I look up to four women. My two grandmothers, my mother and Miss Sari. From them I learned that hard work only makes sense if it has a purpose greater than yourself.
A MEGA woman like Miss Sari is very rare. She knew what she wanted and she did it, creating an empire that I now call my second home. My first encounter with her was in my last interview for the Fashion Assistant position in the magazine. “Most of the Ateneo fresh grads who enter MEGA don’t even want to steam clothes,” she said. The words made me laugh in my head, but at the same time they challenged me to prove her wrong. I understood where she was coming from because she built the brand from the ground up.
She didn’t only require hard work, she required hard work that is timely, relevant and most importantly, resonates to the MEGA woman of today.
The next few encounters with her would be in the hallways of the office where we would only exchange greetings, and those rare, intimidating moments when we would ride the same elevator going up to the office. She would always break the ice with things like, “I love your top where did you get it from?” I would always reply, “Nako Miss Sari sa Zara lang yan” in a friendly tone even if in my brain was a frantic mess. We would have very light conversations, nothing too serious. But at some point in my career, maybe three years ago, I found out that she told my bosses to take care of me because I was very talented. In all those years I feared her, she was always there watching over me and cheering me on.—JEB FRONDA, Fashion Editor
“SHE DIDN’T ONLY REQUIRE HARD WORK, SHE REQUIRED HARD WORK THAT IS TIMELY, RELEVANT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, RESONATES TO THE MEGA TODAY” WOMAN OF