That Summer Fling: Negros Adventure

                  Away from the trending posts of pristine beaches and brazened tan lines, my insatiable soul now thirst for some place that can cool my internal and external layers. Hosting a wedding in Negros, I, together with my colleagues, went sight-seeing to some remarkable places in Negros specifically in Canlaon City. For three days, I was able to observe the humdrum lives of the people living in there as well as visit two of their famous tourist destinations.

                We arrived there around noon so we decided to stay first in the inn because of the scorching sun. To be honest, we didn’t have a plan as to what to do for the entire afternoon. Around three in afternoon, Ma’am Dhen and Sir Ronald visited us and brought us some Maruya. After discussing the wedding program, Ma’am Dhen suggested to us to visit OISCA’s Century Tree. We fixed ourselves and hailed a Habal-habal afterwards. There are no buses or tricycles around to take us there. The only means of transportation to get there is the motorcycle. I was a bit scared because they warned us that it will be a rough ride. And it really was! After several minutes of a bumpy ride, we reached the mysterious and majestic Century Tree.

"I didn't look up because I didn't care, I looked up because I know up there Someone cares for me a lot than you"

I'd rather wait for another century than be with someone who will be my greatest regret for the next century.

"Truly, blogs are made by fools like me but only God can make a tree"

                A witness to the changes that had happened for almost a century, the Century Tree or “Balete” and some say “Banyan” tree in Canlaon City stood there with its massive built and queer empire. You can’t help but feel that eerie feeling because flashes of childhood stories will feed your senses and will make you vulnerable. It may be famed for its scary stories but truth be told, it is also a famous location for pre-wedding shoots and debut shoots. OISCA’S Century Tree is a witness to the world’s prejudices and love stories that will probably still stand there for another century.

                A perfect trip to Malaiba, Negros would not be complete without taking a dip to their ice cold Inland Resort. For a shocker, the resort is for free. Totally no entrance fee! When I let the icy water engulfed my body, I was starting to shake. I feel like Sansa Stark freezing in Winterfell in one of the episodes where she was escaping from the claws of that damn Ramsay Bolton. Going back to reality. A swim from the resort really appeased the wrath from my scorched skin and tired feet. And I said to myself, What a Wonderful World!

                Whether you are booked to become a host or just a plain guest from that wedding, that unquenchable thirst for adventure that is rippling in your blood will always lead you to different adventures and funny misfortunes. To Ma’am Dhen and Sir Ronald, may you be showered with all the best things in life and to my always troubled in positive way self, brazen yourself for your next adventure!

 "Two couple. The first one wedded that day and the other one flamed that day but was burnt out the next month. It really was a summer fling!" 

BEHIND THE LENS: Ronald and Dhen Pre-wedding

Every love story has its coincidental beginnings. Some chance encounters are fortunate, others are unfortunate but some are just magical. It is as if all the forces in the universe convened and decided to link the stars between these two people. Love like water takes too many forms but then no matter what container, no matter what temperature it is, the content is still water. Love is unique to every individual. For Sir Ronald and Ma’am Dhen, their love for each other is built on their respect for each other. Sir Ronald is very polite and Ma’am Dhen is very prudent and thus their love is pure. I think it is a match made in heaven.

           When Ma’am Dhen asked me to be their photographer, at first, I was hesitant. Why? Because I know I am still an amateur. The task is very delicate, very complex and very detailed. And I am just a fat woman who happens to own a camera and who knows how to edit. But, on the other side, I was thinking that this might be an opportunity for me to hone my skill and eventually make a mark. So, I said yes! The good thing about this photo shoot is that I have colleagues in my work who unbelievably believed in my new found talent. They helped me with the ideas, the making of the props and the hair and make-up. We borrowed wardrobes from my sister, who was unhappy with the idea because I didn’t ask her permission and from Sir Mario Autentico, who has surprisingly a number of good formal attires. It was a collaboration of the brilliant teachers from Blessed Trinity College. We were even joking about putting up a business like that.

                As a photographer, I scouted the place and the perfect heaven to shoot their prenup is the Vicana Resort, located in San Vicente, Trinidad, Bohol. Aside from it is a resort, I can’t really lie about the serenity of the place. Surrounded with trees, beautiful landscape, and a kiosk by the pond. It is just so ethereal! I visited the place a couple of times to create the shots. I can’t contain my excitement. I’m having troubles in sleeping because my mind would not let me rest. Even lying in my bed, images of how should I do it, what should they pose and what would they wear were running in my mind. I know somehow that those sleepless nights paid off.

                Here are the shots I took during the prenup.

Note: I wrote some of my self-woven words in there just to compliment my shots.

“We need that someone who will still laugh in our jokes even if they have heard it a hundred times already. We need that someone who will listen to our endless stories. We need that someone to laugh with, to cry with and to celebrate with. And I want to share those moments with you.”

                Every photographer wants to capture unguarded moments because it is more realistic, more believable. And the shot above is just one of the few. It made my heart stopped for a second and at the same time made it bleed for a day. Knight in a Shining Armor, where art thou?

 “And I’ll never forget the first time I laid my eyes on you. I know I was looking at the woman who will give me the reason of my everyday existence, the reason why I am happy and the reason why I choose to wake up every morning.”

          I am not the best photographer in town. I am a work in progress, flawed but learning. That's why I can't really consider these shots as the best in the market. I have given my best and this is how I tell my story. I'm a novice visual storyteller as of now. And I am glad that my client didn't think twice of choosing me to be their storyteller.

"You will always be my favorite chance encounter"

"Let's make a pact that even if I let go, you would still run to me and hold my hands."

"It must be the fault of the stars why my path intersects with yours"

          I'm such a fan of John Green's TFIOS. I feel like the moment you are born you are already connected to the star that will be with you. It is inevitable not to influence your work of art from your own personal favorites. I wish that these two will be Lancaster and Waters without the dying part.

 
 


 " The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves."

                          -Victor Hugo


       

"To love is nothing. To be loved is something But to love and be loved, that's everything"

          -T. Tolis








     What is the real challenge in here is how to make an output on something you have never understand fully. I have never been in a serious relationship. Whenever I look back, a massive LOL follows after. I always think its a waste of time when lovers would talk in hours over the phone. I find it really absurd when they try baby talking to each other. I find telling someone what are your itineraries for the day completely strenuous. Everything that is in the realm of love and marriage is beyond logic. That makes it magical! How did I overcome this predicament of mine? Actually, I didn't. When you have two people in front of you who are truly, perfectly and unbelievably in love with each other, even if you you are that lousy photographer, you can't really conceal what is captured in the lens.

They are proud and happy to say..

         

And let us save the date...

         If you want to say something constructive please don't forget to leave a comment:)
#RonaldAnddhen
#TheCountdownToForever

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You don't get to film an incident like this everyday and this is so worth posting! I know that if my friend will find out that I have posted this clip of her doing a cartwheel in space for sure I will be receiving a grenade delivered straight to my house. It may sound that I have no compunction of doing such conceited crime but to tell you honestly I am at the moment crying. My tears are storming for two reasons: first, I feel bad about this but a large quantity of my tears was shed because I am laughing so damn hard AGAIN. (I mean, who wouldn't?) I can't really forget everybody's expression  and reaction when this happened. Others shouted, half were worried but all of us laughed I love you Alms and you know that!

For the information of everybody, this was filmed in Mag-aso Falls in Antequera when we were doing the Legend of Osiris. 
#EpicFail