How Megan gets that stylish look

MANILA, Philippines - Megan Young would rather play with her latest toys: a Nikon 5000 and MacBook, than raid fashion stores for the latest outfits. She gets a bigger kick out of watching NBA or the Superbowl on TV with her dad than by primping herself up in the beauty salon.

Instead of turning around and around in front of a full-length mirror, Megan would rather raid the shelves of Fully Booked or Powerbooks for the latest reading fare (she’s now poring over the acclaimed Pygmy).

“The reviews help me decide what book to buy,” she says.

Her idea of fashion is a pair of metal-studded shoes and a few accessories — necklaces, headband, etc. — to spice up an otherwise plain attire in muted black, grey and navy blue.

“My mom would chide me, ‘mag-ayos-ayos ka naman!,” laughs Megan.

Her friends raise an eyebrow and jokingly ask Megan: “Are you a guy?”

Now, Megan has no choice but listen to Mom and take her well-meaning friends’ cue to be more of a fashionista. Viewers want their hosts stylish, aside from lively and witty, especially when they’re handling a lifestyle show like Studio 23’s Us Girls.

Megan has to do it step-by-step, though, since she entered the picture only some five months ago, after original host Cheska Garcia went on maternity leave.

“My wardrobe is full of clothes in earth colors, because I’m more attracted to them. But that doesn’t mean I can’t come in bright shades of pink and cobalt blue,” says Megan.

Leafing through the pages of Preview and Vogue is helping her a lot these days. So too, are tips from co-host Angel Aquino, who’d rather be called stylish than a fashionista.

The 19-year-old Megan is also bringing the girly bit a step further by listening to another co-host, Iya Villania’s skin care tips.

“She’s just blessed with good skin,” Megan turns to Iya. “I’m getting tips on using facial scrubs from her.”

They’re at the presscon of the first Us Girls August Awards, set on Thursday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m. at the New Eastwood Mall Open Park (cocktails precede the event at 6 p.m.). Up for grabs are four titles: Stylist of the Year, Make-up Artist of the Year, Most Fashionable and Face of the Year. The judges — composed of Angel, Iya and Megan plus the Us Girls staff, are also on the look-out for the Us Girls Icon Award. The honor is reserved for “a trendsetting celebrity who embodies the real modern woman — independent, smart, adventurous and current.”

Just because Us Girls airs on ABS-CBN sister network Studio 23 doesn’t mean celebrities from the other side of the fence — GMA 7 — are barred from making it to the nominee list.

Carla Abellana, whose show airs on “the other network,” for one, is vying in the Face of the Year category. Then there’s Nicole Anderson, who is in the Most Fashionable race.

Nicole faces a tough race. She’s up against fellow head-turners Denise Laurel, Marie Lozano, Camille Villar and models Pauline Juan, Divine Lee, Bea Soriano, Bianca Valerio and Georgina Wilson.

Carla, on the other hand, is competing against such big names as Claudine Barretto, Kim Chiu, Anne Curtis, Isabelle Daza, Nikki Gil, Kristine Hermosa, Angel Locsin, Cristine Reyes and Maja Salvador (visit usgirls23.multiply.com for the rest of the nominees).

Those who want to see their idols mount the stage and get their prize in any of the categories can go to the said Multiply site and vote on-line through the poll section. Others can write the names of their idols on the Us Girls August Awards Ballot inside this month’s Chalk Magazine.

Those who missed the action at Eastwood need not fret. They can still see the glittery event, blow by blow on Monday, Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. on Studio 23.

Next year, Angel vows, the awards night will present more choices, a wider scope. Next week’s event is but a preview of things to come.

There will be birth pains for sure. But Us Girls, the show’s staff vows, will soldier on.

‘Til next year then?