Where light meets glass: Ramon Orlina’s ethereal sculptures illuminate Tagaytay

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MANILA, Philippines — The decision to bring Ramon Orlina’s glass sculptures to Anya Resort Tagaytay wasn’t just spontaneous — it was almost too easy.

For the Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture, the short 10-minute journey of transporting his delicate works from Museo Orlina to Anya Resort was a small risk for a greater purpose. His latest glass sculpture exhibit, Visions in Glass, is more than just a traveling showcase — it’s an extension of art and beauty beyond the walls of the country’s first contemporary art museum dedicated to glass sculpture.

At 81, Orlina saw the vision of allowing his luminous sculptures to interact with light, space, and nature in harmony and in a new way, while introducing them to fresh audiences. During a casual conversation with Anya Resort’s general manager Mikel Arriet and Orlina’s wife, Lay Ann, the bright idea took shape: Why not revitalize Tagaytay’s artistic and cultural landscape together?

GLASS PIONEER. Ramon Orlina poses in front of his traveling exhibit ‘Visions In Glass’ at Anya Resort Tagaytay on March 14. All images by John Roxas/Rapler

Orlina and Anya Resort, a proudly local establishment, share a commitment to sustainability and supporting local craftsmanship. Over the years, the resort has collaborated with artists across various mediums, from painting and sculpture to dance and music.

“During my family’s stay here last December, we immediately saw the potential to become a traveling exhibit. So when my [family and I] discussed a possible partnership with Anya, we knew it was a perfect venue,” Orlina said.

“We asked if he would be interested in exhibiting his sculptures at Anya Resort,” Arriet shared. “And he kindly agreed. It felt like a perfect match.”

Seeing the vision come to life

By January 2025, plans were underway for Visions in Glass.

The young Museo Orlina team took great care in curating the exhibit, selecting specific sculptures that would not only complement the resort’s architecture, but also engage guests of all ages and backgrounds — seasoned art enthusiasts, young ones, or casual admirers.

‘TROPICAL SPLENDOR’ and ‘BLUE MUSTANG.’ Made with laminated coldworked glass and carved Mediterranean blue glass, respectively.

“For the exhibition, we chose some of Mr. Orlina’s large, colorful crystal sculptures featured in his coffee table book Visions in Glass, launched in October 2024,” Museo Orlina shared. “The striking colors make the sculptures more visible and take advantage of the natural light emanating from the large windows.”

‘MOTHERHOOD, LOVE BEGINS HERE.’ Made with carved lavender crystal.

The exhibition is housed in Anya Resort’s Living Room, the breezy and beautiful lobby, where natural light streams through the high ceilings and expansive windows, interacting dynamically with the sculptures. As daylight shifts, so do the colors within the glass, showing off the true magic of Orlina’s mastery.

‘HANDMAID OF THE LORD.’ Made with electric blue glass.

By night, the ambiance transforms — the ambient lighting casts a more enigmatic glow, with the sculptures’ reflective and refractive properties making them gleam like ethereal, mysterious gems, almost like crystals hidden within a cave.

‘LUNTIANG KABUNDUKAN.’ Made with apple green glass.

Among the standout pieces is “Fresh as Spring Water” — a sky-blue carved glass sculpture that is meant to exude both serenity and strength, reflecting Orlina’s skill in transforming industrial glass into fluid, almost organic forms. Museo Orlina describes it as an “homage to the purity and movement of water, capturing a sense of tranquility and renewal.”

‘FRESH AS SPRING WATER.’ Made with carved sky blue glass.

“Each piece is carefully curated for the exhibit, both for its striking color and the execution of style Mr. Orlina employed, so each piece would resonate and complement one another. All pieces highlight Mr. Orlina’s artistic journey,” Museo Orlina added.

‘WHERE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE SKY’ AND ‘FLAMES OF PASSION.’ Made with carved green glass and carved orange glass, respectively.

One of Arriet’s favorite pieces is “You Are Sunlight and I Moon” — a pink crystal sculpture that required rare materials and intricate craftsmanship. Museo Orlina explained that “the patterns Mr. Orlina created on both the front and back of the sculpture form geometric shapes — on one side, the bold rays of the Sun, and on the other, the phases of the Moon.”

“The interplay between polished and frosted surfaces adds depth, making it a dynamic and layered piece.”

‘YOU ARE SUNLIGHT AND I MOON.’ Made with pink glass.

This work reflects Orlina’s fascination with celestial elements and his skill in bringing abstract concepts to life through glass. All sculptures were made by Orlina in 2024, each one showcasing the intricacy of his renowned sculpting technique, which involves precise cutting, grinding, and polishing, among other meticulous steps. And as always, “Orlina is sculpting with light,” Visions and Glass author Cid Reyes said.

Art is for everyone

Orlina’s sculptures are displayed so beautifully at Anya Resort that art collectors may find themselves tempted to take one home; however, due to the intricate and labor-intensive process behind each piece, only one sculpture in the exhibition is available for sale, according to Museo Orlina.

‘LOST IN THE SHROOMS.’ Made with carved green glass.

“This is a museum without doors,” Orlina said, inviting everyone to see his new exhibit which runs from March 14 to May 15, 2025. Museo Orlina also included some works by Anna and Michael Orlina, who have followed in their father’s footsteps.

Anya Resort guests can enjoy special discounted rates at Museo Orlina during the exhibition period. Orlina’s 570-page Visions in Glass is also available for purchase at the indoor-outdoor museum, which is located at Hollywood Subdivision Road Brgy, Subd, Tagaytay City, overlooking Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.

FATHER OF PHILIPPINE GLASS SCULPTURE. Orlina and his family continue to carry the artist’s legacy forward.

A self-taught contemporary artist for over 50 years, Orlina pioneered the use of scrap glass in Philippine fine art, transforming functional material into an expressive and fluid medium. He studied architecture in the University of Santo Tomas Manila before honing his expertise in carving sculptures from different colored glass blocks without heat.

“INNER SANCTUM II.” Made with laminated coldworked glass.

His evocative works have been showcased abroad and had received international recognition. He won the Toyamura International Sculpture Biennial in Japan in 1999 and First Prize in the Sculpture Category at a biennial in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain, in 2000. – Rappler.com