Visions in Glass: Anya Resort Welcomes Renowned Artist
Ramon Orlina’s Vibrant and Exquisite Sculptures
A stunning showcase of Ramon Orlina’s glass masterpieces celebrating local art and sustainable luxury at Anya Resort Tagaytay
Anya Resort Tagaytay aims to offer more than just a place to stay. They want to create an environment that is dynamic and constantly evolving, with spaces that can be enriched with meaningful content. Art plays a big role in this, enhancing areas such as corridors, lobbies, and living spaces. Anya Resort’s general manager, Mikel Arriet shares, “Much like how we refresh our dining themes to reflect the changing seasons, we embrace a variety of artistic expressions—from local farmers showcasing their honey to captivating contemporary dance performances and live guitar music. This infusion of art and culture creates an atmosphere that truly brings the resort to life!”
An Impeccable Match
The Museo Orlina team recounts the conversation between Mrs. Lay Ann Orlina and General Manager Mikel Arriet, where they discussed the recent challenges faced by establishments in Tagaytay. It was during this exchange that the idea of a collaboration emerged, recognizing the potential for a mutually beneficial partnership that would not only support local art but also enhance the guest experience at Anya Resort Tagaytay. They share, “Anya Resort Tagaytay and Museo Orlina are both premier destinations that attract diverse audiences. Hosting an exhibit at Anya allows us to extend the museum experience beyond its walls, offering guests a unique artistic encounter aside from the outdoor theme parks and other establishments in Tagaytay City.”
Adding to this, Arriet elaborates, “Anya Resort Tagaytay is committed to sustainability and supporting local artists, which is one of our core pillars. Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with various artists across different mediums such as painting, dance, and music. Last December, renowned sculptor Ramon Orlina visited for the Christmas season, and we saw an incredible opportunity to showcase his work. We asked
Mr. Orlina if he would be interested in exhibiting his sculptures at Anya Resort, and he kindly agreed. It felt like a perfect match!”
The Vision Taking Shape
By January 2025, plans for the exhibit in Anya Resort Tagaytay were in full swing for Visions in Glass. What excites Arriet the most about this collaboration is the opportunity to showcase the works of Ramon Orlina, a celebrated artist whose talent and vision he deeply admires. As someone who loves and appreciates art, it’s a dream for him to have these sculptures featured at the resort. Orlina’s pieces evoke emotions and offer a deeper connection to the material world. “When I look at his sculptures, I feel transported beyond the physical form to a more profound, spiritual experience,” the general manager intimates.
The collection is incredibly vibrant, thanks to its positioning and location in Anya Resort’s Living Room (also known as the main lobby), which allows it to bask in the sunlight, creating a beautiful play of light and shadow. The lighting in the evenings also adds a magical touch to the pieces. Arriet believes the exhibition will appeal to all guests, even those who may not typically consider themselves art enthusiasts. The sculptures are visually striking and accessible, inviting everyone to appreciate their beauty.
When asked to choose just one piece that stands out for him, Arriet struggles with his selection. “It’s a difficult choice, as each piece is captivating, but if I had to choose, I would pick the first sculpture—the one in blue. The color feels refreshing, and I love the unique shape. It’s both calming and striking at the same time.” He is referring to “Fresh As Spring Water” 63 x 33 x 18 cm, Carved sky blue glass, 2024.
Thoughtfully Curated
On curating the Visions in Glass exhibit for Anya Resort, Museo Orlina reveals that upon visiting Anya for an ocular inspection and meeting with the resort team, they noticed several factors like the high ceiling, large windows, and size of the main lobby.
These helped guide the team by choosing the right sculptures that would be suited for the area. “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 Oct 2024. The striking colors make the sculptures more visible and take advantage of the natural light emanating from the large windows. This show is part of the book tour program of the museum.”
Museo Orlina shares, “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 and all, except for one piece, are book pieces.”
According to Museo Orlina, as much as they want to display more pieces for sale, they can only provide one because of the time it takes to create each piece.
“The sculpture titled “You are Sun and I Moon” is an interesting piece of glass art created by Mr. Orlina. First, the pink-colored crystal is an uncommon material that is quite challenging to acquire. Secondly, the patterns Mr. Orlina created on both the front and back of the sculptures created geometric shapes that when one looks closely are in the shape of the Sun with bold rays emanating from the front and the different phases of the Moon emanating from the back of the sculpture, accentuated by the alternating patterns of polished and frosted parts of the sculpture. The interplay between the patterns at the front and the back of the sculpture creates a dynamic play of curves and circles.”
A Warm Invitation
Arriet encourages everyone to come and experience Ramon Orlina’s one-of-a-kind collection. Most of the works were created in 2024, and each piece is a masterpiece in its own right. He warmly invites one and all, “Take your time to admire the sculptures and let them speak to you. You might find that each artwork tells you something personal and profound.”
He emphasizes that this is by far the most significant exhibition that Anya Resort has had since the opening of the resort, especially because of the prestige of the artist. “We at Anya Resort Tagaytay are incredibly proud of this collaboration with Museo Orlina. It’s an honor to bring such remarkable art to our guests and showcase the talent of local artists.”
Museo Orlina says, “Expect no less than an extravagant showcase of the mastery of Mr. Ramon Orlina’s mastery in transfiguring glass into wonderful works of art and how Museo Orlina stands as one of the leading artistic centers in Cavite. We are also adding some works of Anna and Michael Orlina, the Orlina children who have taken after the footsteps of their father. These are also book pieces. They extend a warm invitation, “We would like to invite everyone to come and visit Anya Resort Tagaytay and marvel at the masterfully created glass sculptures at the Visions in Glass exhibit by Maestro Ramon Orlina. The exhibition will run until May 15, 2025.”
In Maestro Ramon Orlina’s own words, “Discover Orlina glass sculptures at Anya Resort – the gems of Tagaytay!”
Museo Orlina is delighted to offer special rates to guests of Anya Resort, inviting them to explore the museum’s exceptional collection at a reduced rate throughout the duration of the exhibition. Additionally, the 570-page Visions in Glass book, a remarkable and highly sought-after collector’s item, is available for purchase exclusively at the museum. For inquiries about Museo Orlina, please contact Ms. Regine Duro at 0917 107 5958.
The Unveiling of Visions in Glass at Anya Resort
Visions in Glass was unveiled at Anya Resort Tagaytay on March 14, 2025, beautifully blending art, music, and dance. The evening began with cocktails, accompanied by the enchanting sounds of a live violinist, setting the tone for an extraordinary affair.
The highlight of the night was the unveiling of Ramon Orlina’s breathtaking glass sculptures, which were brought to life by the graceful ballerinas from Steps Dance Studio. Their captivating performance in the Anya Living Room added a dynamic, artistic layer to the experience, enhancing the allure of Orlina’s stunning works of art. The event is a testament to Anya Resort’s sustainability luxury stewardship, showcasing their commitment to creating experiences that are both elegant and eco-conscious.
About Ramon Orlina and Museo Orlina
Ramon Orlina is the Philippines’ foremost sculptor using glass as a medium, his discovery of using residual glass has earned him the title “Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture”. For more than five decades, Orlina’s art has captivated audiences with his signature glass creations. By utilizing the transparent and reflective properties of the glass, Orlina creates movements, textures, and a sense of space within the glass. Even light that comes in and around the glass constitutes distinct characteristics of an Orlina sculpture, as Cid Reyes, author of the book writes: “Mr. Orlina is sculpting with light.”
Each of his oeuvres presents a unique character that only the Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture can bring out from an unforgiving material. Completely self-taught, he was able to elevate glass known for industrial, decorative or functional purposes into a medium of fine art admired worldwide. He alone pioneered the use of scrap glass and upcycling them into fine art. Orlina’s passion for the arts manifests in three aspects: his spirited artistry, his love for his family, and his enduring faith.
Museo Orlina is the first contemporary art Museum situated at the heart of Tagaytay City and offers a majestic view of the Taal Lake and Volcano. The museum showcases internationally acclaimed glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, pioneer and foremost practitioner of glass sculpture in the country. Orlina’s glass sculptures captivate visitors with his signature style of directly carving on solid blocks of glass. One can marvel at the intricacy of the designs and forms he executes in his works. Aside from Mr. Orlina’s masterfully created glass sculptures, the museum also showcases the works of various artists in its spacious galleries sprawled along the galleries and outdoor spaces.
About Anya Resort Tagaytay and AHG Hotels and Resorts
Anya Resort Tagaytay is managed by AHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the most respected and trusted hospitality management groups in the country. With more than 20 years of experience in managing premier hospitality properties across the Philippines, AHG Hotels and Resorts has become a recognized name in the industry. The company’s guiding philosophy is centered around five key pillars: expertise in property branding, hotel and resort management, wellness and spa management, revenue management and distribution, and consultancy services. Each of AHG’s properties embodies the essence of Filipino hospitality, continuously adapting to the local landscape while guided by global standards, to offer distinctly exceptional guest experiences that foster enduring satisfaction. To know more, visit AHG.com.ph.
The flagship property of AHG is Anya Resort Tagaytay, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and recognized by the World Luxury Awards as a Luxury Hideaway Resort. In addition, Anya’s Niyama Wellness Center was honored as a Luxury Sustainable Spa, while Samira by Chele Gonzalez was awarded as a Luxury Resort Restaurant. Visit anyaresorts.com to learn more.