As a practicing lawyer in her hometown in Davao, Atty. Margarita “Migs” Bendigo Nograles embodies a fashion sense that reflects her love for Mindanaoan culture – the details and intricacy of the weaving of the tribes, the colors, the unique combination of all of it – are some of the distinctive characteristics that amazes her about the ethnicity.
As a woman she perfectly epitomizes someone who is capable of leading and managing a busy lifestyle yet still radiating the admirable grace and poise of a lady, and at the same time, embracing her roots and culture.
She makes it a point to dress comfortably when at work no matter how busy her day would turn out to be. She has perfected the art of power dressing. “Being comfortable in your skin and feeling good, and confident about yourself, is what power dressing means to me,” shares the 30-year-old partner-lawyer in a Davao-based firm Nograles Ilagan Sagarino Selgas Cayco Aban & Dabi Law (NISSCAD Law), which executes a little bit of everything – civil law, criminal law, corporate law, family law, and taxation law.
Migs fashion motto is “Dress how you want to be seen and for yourself; be yourself and be unique and comfortable in your own skin,” relates the modern-day woman, and well-schooled lawyer. She always relies on her own sense of fashion, “but my niece would tell me I’m a very vintage-preppy type of girl.”
Among the admirable figures in the world of politics and laws, Migs looks up to these women and fashion icons Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Amal Clooney. The former is the youngest woman ever to serve in the US Congress, and the latter a well-known barrister specializing in international law and human rights. At the home front, she admires her lovely mom Rhodora “Bebet” Bendigo-Nograles, sister Dr. Kristine Nograles-Hugo, and her sister-in-law, Marga who owns Kaayo Modern Mindanao.
“I admire my sister-in-law, Marga. On top of being a supermom to my nephews and niece and awesome wife to my brother, Karlo, she has really made a name by carrying our Mindanaoan culture through her brand, Kaayo, Modern Mindanao,” she intimates. “And of course, staying closer to my heart, I would have to say my mom, Bebet, and sister, Tinky. I really wouldn’t be where I am today without both of them. They’re some of the strongest women I know who always excel in everything that they do and look great while doing it, effortlessly. I can only hope to be half as beautiful and talented as both of them—the ultimate beauty and brains.”
Through Kaayo, Migs has been able to help uplift and promote the Mindanaoan culture. “I always try to wear Kaayo as it really shows the Mindanaoan culture,” she says. And even on her regular day to work outfit, she mixes jeans with either a Kaayo top or blazer. “Sometimes I have to wear suits for when there are hearings. I actually love suits.”
For career women out there, Migs encourages them to “be comfortable in your own sense of fashion, never dress to impress anyone else but yourself,” she advises.
Born on the feast day (September 29) of The Archangels, the natural-born leader Migs is the youngest daughter of the late prominent politician and lawyer Prospero “Boy” Castillo and his beautiful wife, Rhodora Bendigo Nograles. Migs is equally proud of her other siblings Dra. Kristine, Cabinet Secretary Karlo B. Nograles, and Congressman Jericho B. Nograles.
All while dressed to the nines, and being a woman-on-the-go, as described in an article about her at Lifestyle Asia last year, Migs wants to focus on her advocacy — that is, to make the legal and justice system accessible to the general public through her own show, Ask Atty. Migs, a program that gives free legal aid and advice to people across the nation.
Five to 10 years from now, she sees herself “growing my firm with more associates so that we can handle more load and work across the region. For my brand, Ask Atty. Migs, that it will still be there so we can help more people in need of legal assistance,” she says with so much optimism for brighter years ahead.
To know more about Atty. Migs Nograles, like and follow her official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/askattymigs.
