For more than three decades, Ramon Orlina’s name has been synonymous to the magnificent glass sculptures in his signature green glass and lately in an assortment of colored glass such as azure blue, lime green and amber. Choosing to specialize in art pieces fashioned from this difficult and unusual medium, he has earned for himself a unique position in Philippine art as well as global recognition.

Orlina pioneered the use of glass as an artistic medium of expression in the Philippines. In the early years when the glass was treated as "decorative" by the art community, he single-handedly struggled to achieve recognition for his glass sculptures. His efforts bore fruit and he succeeded in elevating glass into a medium of fine art, now much admired at home and abroad.

He was the only sculptor in the Philippines and in the whole Asean region to sculpt from large blocks of glass using the formidable cold method in the mid ‘70s. Since then he has broken new ground for this medium and become a major influence on other Filipino artists who have also ventured into the glass medium.

Through his art Orlina promotes Filipino cultural identity and ingenuity. His art record has not gone unnoticed, he has gained numerous national and international critical acclaim, respect from fellow artists, the media, and above all art enthusiasts. His reputation extends to art circles and patrons in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, U.S.A. and the former Czechoslovakia.

Through his art he promotes Filipino cultural identity and ingenuity. His most significant works in the country are his large-scale works which include "Oneness" which stands at the Asean Park at the CCP Complex, a giant mural called "Paradise Gained" at the National Museum, and the "Risen Christ" at the EDSA Shrine. In Singapore he is known for his monumental works, the five-meter high "Fertile Crescent" at the Marina Park, and "Quintessence" a 4 x 2.5 meter window made of a myriad glass facets with bronze frame at the Singapore Art Museum.

At present, Orlina has found his way back to his beloved alma matter, the UST where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree, and where he is working on "Tetraglobal," an outdoor monumental work commissioned by the University for its 400th Anniversary in 2011, to be located at the Alumni Park. It is 8.6 meters tall in cast bronze with glass components. This celebratory project which pays homage to the university is a major challenge for the artist as the work is of such monumental proportions. It is expected to be completed in 2010.

For his exhibition ongoing at Alliance Française de Manille’s Total Gallery until July 13, 2009, Orlina presents once more his trademark pieces in green glass with their iridescent arches, perspectives and shapes, side by side with lustrous sculptures in cast bronze that he has newly created. His works in cast bronze are interesting versions in a totally different medium of some of his favorite glass sculptures. Although it lacks the intriguing transparency of glass, the cast bronze artworks have captured the sinuous and sensuous forms of his imagination.