Splendor in the Glass: A Visit to Museo Orlina

I can't write at home all the time because I get stir-crazy and I can't keep my two-year-old daughter from disturbing me while I'm in front of my computer. I love having her near me while I'm working, but I have trouble focusing when I'm interrupted or there's a lot of noise in the background. I end up cleaning the house, gardening, watching movies, or reading books, or smoking pot and taking naps.

Recently I discovered Museo Orlina, Tagaytay's answer to Baguio's Bencab Museum. Ramon Orlina, a multi-awarded Filipino artist best known for his abstract glass pieces, bought the property in 2012. Though originally meant to be just a vacation house for his family, the sculptor eventually turned the place into a modern, four-level art space.

For an entrance fee of P100 (about $2), you can explore the site with a staff member showing you around. The museum features various galleries named after Orlina's children. Level one, dubbed as Naesa, is a space for the museum lobby as well as the Reflections Gallery, a venue for different artists to be featured in monthly changing exhibits. The second floor, named Ningning, showcases his old and recent works. The third level, called Anna, features maquettes and photographs of Orlina's works both local and international.

But the ocular feast doesn't end inside. There's a sculpture garden and amphitheater outside for musical and other artistic presentations. The building's roof deck has a coffee shop which serves organically grown coffee. It's a great place to write because it's quiet, and working in front of the majestic Taal Lake and Volcano is truly inspiring. I tried working there last week, and I finished writing three blog posts and one short Tagalog article for a newspaper.

Museo Orlina is on Hollywood Subdivision Road, Barangay Tolentino East, Hollywood Subdivision, Tagaytay City. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, check out their Facebook page.

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