Ramon Orlina is a licensed architect and renowned visual artist. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1965. Early in his career, he worked with C.D. Arguelles and Associates for four years. Later, he established Ramon Orlina and Associates, where he handled architectural projects and administration. In addition, he became a member of the College of Fellows of the Philippine Institute of Architects.
Transition to Art
In 1975, Orlina held his first solo exhibition featuring paintings on glass at the Hyatt Gallery in Hyatt Hotel. A year later, he pioneered the use of glass as a medium for sculpture. Because of this innovation, he shifted his focus entirely to the arts. Since then, he has exhibited extensively across the Philippines and internationally.
Awards & Recognition
Over the years, Orlina has received numerous prestigious awards. In 1993, he earned the ASEAN Awards for Visual Arts. The following year, he received the Third ASEAN Achievement Awards for Visual Arts.
In 2006, he was honored with The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award for Visual Arts. In 2012, the Philippine Institute of Architects awarded him the Gold Medal of Merit for his contributions to architecture and visual arts. Furthermore, the Rotary Club and Quezon City Government recognized him with the Rotary Golden Wheel Award in Arts and Culture in 2014.
That same year, he received the People of the Year Award from Stargate PeopleAsia. More recently, in 2017, he was honored with the Outstanding Manilan Award and the Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal Most Outstanding Citizen.
International Achievements
Orlina has also gained recognition in international competitions. For instance, he won the “Mr. F” Prize at the 1999 Toyamura International Sculpture Biennale. In 2000, he secured First Prize in the Sculpture Category at the II Bienale Internacional del Baloncesto en las Bellas Artes in Madrid, Spain. In addition, he received several honorable mentions in competitions held in Japan.
Because of his mastery in glass sculpture, critics often place him alongside renowned artists such as Dale Chihuly of the United States and Bertil Vallien of Sweden.
Major Works
Among his notable works is QuattroMondial, a 10.32-meter-high sculpture made of cast bronze and glass. He created this piece for the University of Santo Tomas, and it was unveiled in January 2011. This large-scale work highlights his skill in combining architecture and sculpture.
Museo Orlina
Today, Orlina’s name is synonymous with glass sculpture in the Philippines. In December 2013, he opened Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City, Cavite. The museum features his works along with a sculpture garden and amphitheater.
Over time, the museum expanded to nearly double its original size. It now includes larger gallery spaces and a dedicated museum café, further enhancing the visitor experience.
