IzaNec Photogragrphy

 The Masskara Festival 2024 in Bacalod! The city of smiles was buzzing with excitement, and my love and I thought we were oh-so-smart arriving a little earlier to snag prime photo ops. We even found ourselves in the first row, feeling like VIPs ready to snap the perfect Instagram shot. But just as fast as you can say "festive chaos," we somehow morphed into the third row! It’s like a magic trick—one moment you're front and center, and the next, you’re squished between someone who has clearly mistaken this for a game of human Tetris. People have this uncanny ability to pretend they’re just passing by while strategically stopping right in front of you for their own photoshoot. It’s like they’ve entered some kind of spectator Bermuda Triangle where they forget to leave! And don’t even get me started on how packed it gets. If I had a needle handy, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t touch ground—more likely it would get lost in a sea of colorful costumes and smiling faces! But hey, i...

  The Cinco de Noviembre Mark Point in Silay City is not just any old spot on the map; it's a place where history buffs can geek out and where the spirit of revolution is as palpable as the humidity in the Philippine air. This is where the Negrenses, with a dash of cunning and a pinch of bravery, gave the Spanish colonial forces the boot and said, "Adios, amigos!" Let's set the scene: It's 1898, and the sugar is sweet, but freedom is sweeter. The local sugar barons and workers are brewing a revolution, and what better place to plot a rebellion than in a pharmacy? That's right, the Farmacia Locsin wasn't just doling out cough syrups and headache pills; it was the secret headquarters for a revolution! Now, every November 5th, the people of Negros Occidental throw a party to remember the day they decided enough was enough. They celebrate Negros Day with all the pomp and circumstance you'd expect from folks who kicked off their own republic, even if it was...

Our journey began under the watchful eye of the sun, which, like a lazy security guard, decided to take a break just as we reached Don Salvador Benedicto. The sky, in a dramatic mood swing, went from sunny to sullen, and the heavens opened up, as if to say, "Welcome to the mountain, bring an ark." Undeterred, my love and I, armed with nothing but sheer determination and a questionable sense of direction, hopped off the bus. Our chariots awaited—two motorcycles driven by local boys who knew the mountain roads like the back of their hands, which were now gripping the handlebars for dear life as we navigated potholes and puddles with the grace of a pair of roller-skating elephants. At the base of the mountain, a guide greeted us, probably wondering if we were lost tourists or just madly in love with nature. The path to the top was less of a path and more of an obstacle course designed by someone with a wicked sense of humor. Steps carved into the earth, help cables that seeme...

  Bacolod, the City of Smiles, where the sugar is sweeter and the cafes are... well, let's just say they're on a whole new level of cozy. Enter Hannah G Sweets & Cafe, a place that's become the unofficial pit stop for every sweet tooth in town and beyond. Now, I'm not saying that Hannah G's has a magnetic field that pulls you in, but there's definitely some inexplicable force at play here. Maybe it's the aroma of freshly-baked pastries that wafts through the air, or perhaps it's the siren call of their signature cakes that beckons you. Whatever it is, resistance is futile. Let's talk about the ambiance. It's like your grandmother's living room met a trendy art gallery – if both were obsessed with desserts. The decor is a charming mishmash of vintage and modern, making it the perfect backdrop for those Instagram snaps. And let's be real, if you didn't post about it, did it even happen? The menu is a delightful dilemma. With a sprea...

As we strolled through the vibrant streets of Bacolod, the air was thick with anticipation. The MassKara Festival, also known as the 'masskarada' by the locals, is just around the corner, and the city is a hive of activity. Everywhere you look, there are masks! Big masks, small masks, glittery masks, and masks that look like they could tell a thousand stories. The sellers, oh, the sellers! They're the unsung heroes of the festival. They're out there, come rain or shine, with their stalls of colorful attire, all emblazoned with the iconic MassKara designs. And if you're feeling creative, they'll print your wildest designs on a shirt right there on the spot. Want a shirt with a chicken eating a hotdog while riding a unicycle? They've got you covered. But let's talk about those masks for a second. They're not just any old masks. They're like the Swiss Army knives of the festival world. Need to hide from someone? Mask. Want to become an instant celeb...

The life of a photographer! A never-ending saga of chasing the perfect shot, armed with a camera that's worth more than a pirate's treasure and a collection of lenses that could double as a sophisticated spy kit. But wait, before you venture out into the wild yonder, you're bombarded with a barrage of 'expert' advice that's as consistent as a chameleon in a disco. First up, landscape photography. You're told to capture the grandeur of Mother Nature with settings so precise, they'd make a Swiss watch blush. But lo and behold, you step outside, and the great outdoors didn't get the memo. The light's playing hide and seek, and the only thing your calculations are good for is as a makeshift paper airplane. Then there's the portrait mode, where you're supposed to make every human subject look like they've descended from Olympus itself. Best settings, they say? More like best guessings, as you try to make your friend's backyard look lik...