Sunsets At Masungi: The First Vogue Experience At Masungi Georeserve

To celebrate the release of Vogue Philippines’ February 2024 issue, the first iteration of Vogue Experience took guests on an adventure at Masungi Georeserve.

Climate, culture, and community. In Vogue Philippines’ February 2024 issue, forces for change take center stage as Ann and Billie Dumaliang, Tasha and Bella Tanjutco, Issa Barte, Camille Rivera, and Nicola Sebastian share their stories of cultural storytelling, environmental conservation, and climate action. In tandem with the first iteration of VogueExperience, the February 2024 cover was unveiled in the lush and thriving environment of Masungi Georeserve.

Masungi Georeserve, home to over 400 documented species of flora and fauna, is a conservation area and rustic rock garden located in Baras, Rizal. The conservation area served as the backdrop for Vogue Philippines’ “Forces for Change” issue, with cover models Ann, Billie, Tasha, Bella, and Issa traversing the forest and terrains of Masungi.

Guests were invited to live in the pages of the February 2024 issue with an exciting hiking trail and a panoramic sunset dinner at the conservation area. The event was attended by the Vogue Philippines team and established guests including Nadine Lustre, Christophe Bariou, Megan Young, and Maxene Magalona. Together with Masungi’s trustees Ann and Billie Dumaliang, the group embarked with their Fjällräven bags on the Masungi Discovery Trail, a four-hour trail that took them to seven different terrains of Masungi: Lagusan, Sapot, Putol Na Kahoy, Bayawak, Liwasan, Silungan, and Silayan. To stay hydrated during the hike, they filled their Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen bottles with Evian water.

After embarking on the adventurous trail, guests were driven to the Silayan area by VPI cars. As the sun began to set on the horizon, guests began to wind down for the evening with a brief tea tasting activity and Filipino snacks. During the tea tasting activity, guests enjoyed the taste of Masungi’s own variety of teas: hibiscus, banaba and mint, kayumanis and bluternate, and salabat tea.

Set against the backdrop of the orange and pink hues of the sunset, the dinner began with opening remarks from Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Bea Valdes, Masungi Georeserve trustee Billie Dumaliang, and Vogue Philippines art director Jann Pascua.

“As we look out these doors today and we see what it looks like now, you see that it’s green, lush, and teeming with life,” Valdes said during her speech. “Today for our first Vogue Philippines Experience, we hope that you have done much more than see; that you too have experienced what it’s like when nature is nurtured and cared for. And in turn, it can be restorative, and truly powerful.”

After watching a short film featuring Sebastian, Rivera, Barte, Ann and Billie Dumaliang, and Tasha and Bella Tanjutco, guests were handed their magazine copies neatly tucked inside upcycled scarves by BAYO Philippines. As guests unwrapped their copies, cover models Tasha Tanjutco, Ann Dumaliang, and Billie Dumaliang could not contain their surprise and joy, shedding a few tears as everyone celebrated the cover reveal.

Sharing smiles, laughter, and impactful conversations on climate and conservation work, the rest of the night was spent enjoying a delectable three-course dinner. The menu consisted of unique takes on traditional Filipino dishes: sinigang watermelon, a banana leaf-wrapped meal called minalot, and leche flan brulee, served with wine and iced tea. Capping off the night, guests received Y.O.U. Beauty: Radiance Glow Series Travel Size and Sunbrella Intensive Care Aqua Sunscreen, Sunbrella Tone Up, and Sunbrella Airy Outdoor Sunscreen Spray.

As night falls and everyone bids their goodbyes, one can only think that this Vogue Experience would not have been possible without the efforts of conservationists like Ann and Billie. No matter how big or small the action is, every effort made now is a step towards passing on experiences like these to the next generation and preserving our biodiversity. As Valdes remarks in her speech, “When is the best time to plant a tree? The answer is twenty years ago. When is the next best time? Now.”