Mark Nicdao, maverick photographer of his time...
Kim ChiuABS-CBN Publishing Inc. (API) proudly launched VANTAGE, a premiere photography magazine featuring the celebrity photographs of Philippines renowned master of shutters" Mark Nicdao, with an exquisite grand launch, book signing and exhibit last March 6, Sunday at the Fashion Walk of Greenbelt 5, Makati City.

VANTAGE is the first ever API title that comes with eight collectors edition cover, showcasing photographs of the fashion and entertainment industrys crme de la crme from 2003 to present. The eight covers flaunt radiant poses of Kris Aquino; Sarah Geronimo; John Lloyd Cruz; Jericho Rosales; Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, KC Concepcion and Angel Locsin; Solenn Heusaff, Marian Rivera and Cristine Reyes.

In 2003, when Mark was beginning his career, I first heard of this young new photographer and I saw some of his works. One of our first collaborations was the 20-page special supplement of Metro Magazine. It was very coherent. It was something very beautiful and theres magic on it. For a long time weve been wanting to showcase Marks work in a more permanent platform, said ABS-CBN Publishings Carlo Tadiar, whos also the Content Unit Head of VANTAGE.

There are so many people to thank for this project. I wanna thank first the one who gave me this luckhaving to work with the most talented, the most beautiful, the most honest and the most real people here in Manila. I wanna thank everyone. Well, I just got out of the hospital due to stress. I had a huge migraine and now, I feel better that I see everyone here. This is my medicine, said Mark after he was introduced.

Hosted by acclaimed events specialists Tim Yap and Mega daughter KC Concepcion, Mark Nicdaos VANTAGE was attended by other most sought after celebrities - Georgina Wilson, Michelle Madrigal, Ruffa, Richard and Raymond Gutierrez, Kim Chiu, Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis, Jericho Rosales, Bea Alonso, Bianca King, Lovi Poe, Carla Humphries, Liz Uy and Kris Aquino. Other VIPs were also there like Wil Stein.

A walk through of Nicdaos favorite works was offered for the guests, where he shared the inspirations and stories behind the photographs. A chronicle of Nicdaos colorful life was also presented, followed by a silent auction and an autograph signing by the master of photography himself. Party music was brought by DJ Jujiin Samonte.

The collector's edition of Vantage will have a limited runonly 150 numbered copies printed per cover and will be exclusively available in all Fully Booked outlets. The regular newsstand edition will be available in leading newsstands and bookstores nationwide on March 20.