Mark Nicdao's vantage point

MANILA, Philippines - It was Mark Nicdao’s first time, so KC Concepcion and I made sure we would devirginize him the right way.

 We were in Paris and it was Mark’s first trip outside our beloved Philippines. We started out by toasting to champagne at Hotel Costes and walked our way from the Rive Droite to Rive Gauche, stopped by St. Germain to see the Notre Dame, among many other Parisian landmarks. Of course, there were so many benefits to being Mark’s tour guide. He documented everything through his lenses, us running around, climbing cemented structures, lying down in the middle of the road, jumping up and down, pretending to be lovers — he clicked a mile a minute, wanting to capture every minute detail of his moments in the “City of Love.”

Each time we would reach a particular destination, KC would cover Mark’s eyes, as I pulled him closer to the perfect spot. “Now open your eyes,” KC a.k.a. Cassandra would instruct Mark, a.k.a. Dark Nicdao, a nickname we jokingly coined during our Paris moments. Mark’s eyes would light up, mouth agape, like a kid inside a carnival. “Wow!” there’s nothing like hearing Mark say the word “wow.”

There is this certain spark, a sense of wonder, a certain darkness even, in all the joy and beauty that this simple word conjures, when it comes from Mark. Somehow, you see, hear and feel what he says when he says it. It is clearer, more daring, more fun and more seductive when Mark says it, does it, takes it.

In between us trekking around the city, Mark made a little something and showed it to us. It was our images, one after another, like how movies were done in the old days, set to music synched with his iPod. He was able to make a short film out of our photos—ah, motion picture! The genius was at play.

From 10pm To 10am

Sunrise saw us again making Mark close his eyes. When we asked him to open them, there we were, at Sacre Coeur, or Sacred Heart Church — the highest point in Paris. “Look around, you have traveled from left, right, up, down, side and side — you have the best view, the horizon.” I remember telling the talented Mr. Nicdao. Vantage point. Mark knew where life wanted to take him. It is to see beauty, capture it and share what he saw. It is his gift.

Eight years into a career of a young master so well-loved he is the most requested among celebrities for covers, endorsements and even personal photo shoots, Mark remains humble despite his success, always thoughtful towards everyone that he works with, and sensitive enough to make his subjects feel at ease despite all the pressures of reel and real life. Tomorrow night at the Greenbelt Fashion Walk, Mark unveils his new baby, Vantage.

A book can never contain talent as larger than life as Mark Nicdao’s, who was even a mural artist before he became the Mark Nicdao. Through the 180 pages in his book, we are given a glimpse of the way Mark visually snipes subjects and helps them look at life in a different way.

All I can say is, “WOW.”