Award-winning glass sculptor Ramon Orlina created these artworks, "Trinity" (left) and "Yakap ni Nanay" (right), for the "Luminosity" exhibit. Photos courtesy of Galerie Joaquin

MANILA, Philippines - From glass sculptures to placards, Ondoy memories, and a tribute to cinema--art lovers have a feast laid out for them in a number of art exhibits ongoing in the metro this week.

Ramon Orlina at Galerie Joaquin

Renowned sculptor Ramon Orlina has unveiled 40 major works in "Luminosity: The Manila Collection" at Galerie Joaquin's Main Gallery.

Orlina has had 30 one-man shows here and abroad throughout his career. He has also won a number of awards: Winner at the Toyamura International Sculpture Biennial in Japan in 1999; First Prize in the Sculpture Category in a biennial in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain in 2000; Finalist at the Osaka Triennials in Japan in 1992, Fifth International Exhibition of Glass in Kanaza at the Ishikawa prefecture in Japan and at the New Glass Competition of the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

Orlina has also done a number of public sculptures, the latest of which is the QuattroMondial, a 10-meter sculpture of cast bronze and carved glass unveiled during the 400th year celebrations of the University of Santo Tomas.

"Luminosity" is on view until July 27 at Galerie Joaquin, 371 P. Guevarra Street corner Montessori Lane, Addition Hills, San Juan. For details, call (632) 723-9253 and (632) 723-9418, or visit www.galeriejoaquin.com.

Mark Salvatus at Vargas Museum

Mark Salvatus, winner of the 2010 Ateneo Art Awards, examines personal stories, collective memories and survival in times of calamity in "c_rafts", his one-man show at the West Wing Gallery of the Jorge B. Vargas Museum.

In particular, Salvatus focuses on the memories from typhoon Ondoy which devastated Metro Manila in 2009. Among his works on display are rafts made out of everyday objects which may make viewers rethink their concepts of fear and doubt during a time of disaster.

Salvatus graduated cum laude with a degree in fine arts major in advertising from the University of Santo Tomas. He received grants from Common Room Networks Foundation, La Trobe University Visual Arts Center and the New York Art Project (Art Omi).

The artist has also had exhibits in London, Melbourne, Incheon, and Singapore.

"c_rafts" is ongoing until August 17 at the Jorge B. Vargas Museum, Roxas Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. For details, call (632) 928-1927, or (632) 981-8500 local 4024, e-mail vargasmuseum@gmail.com or visit http://vargasmuseum.upd.edu.ph.

PeliKULAY 2 at NCCA Gallery

The Buklod Sining Organization, a group whose members are composed of students of the University of the East College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design, will open on Wednesday, July 20 their exhibit dubbed "PeliKULAY 2", a tribute to Philippine cinema.

Through painting, photography, and digital arts, the group gives homage to Filipino actors from different generations, among them Fernando Poe Jr., Dolphy, Tito, Vic, and Joey, Nora Aunor, and Vilma Santos.

"PeliKULAY 2", held in cooperation with the Buklod Sining Alumni, will run until August 5 at the NCCA Gallery at 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. For details, contact Ethel Buluran or Mimi Santos at (632) 5272192 loc. 512 or e-mail ncca_gallery@yahoo.com or visit www.ncca.gov.ph.

Placard: Signs of the Times

More than 100 placards calling for social change are currently on exhibit at "Placard: Signs of the Times" ongoing until July 25 at the Vargas Museum.

The exhibit is held in collaboration with the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) and the Ugatlahi Artists Collective.

The placards were all done by visual artists and people's organizations, serving as "a form of material culture and as a mobile conveyor of protest," said Vargas Museum in a statement.

The artists participating in the exhibit are Aba Dalena, Alexandra Paredes, Albert Sy, Aldrein Silanga, Alvin Capistrano, Andrew Florentino, Angelica Lorente, Anna Villena, Ayra Sayat, Benjie Cabrera, Bea Aben, Benedict Botor, Bobert Elyas, Boy Dominguez, Buen Abrigo, Buen Calubayan, Caloy Gernale, Chino Corrales, Cian Dayrit, CJ Despuez, Con Cabrera, Crisanto De Leon, Dennis Bato, Don Dalmacio, Egg Santos, Elizabeth Lolarga, Errol Orbida, Eshei Mesina, Francis Bejar, Francis Diaz, Ferds Failano, Gary Rojas, Genepaul Martin, Georgina Washington Dakuykoy, Ian Quirante, Iggy Rodriguez, Ivan Reverente, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Jaco Payawal, Janus Nunez, Jed Nacabuan, Jessie Mondares, Jimuel Magat, JL Burgos, JJ Jamoranos, J Pacena, Joel Quiñones, Johnny Manajo, Jucar Raquepo, Joey Cobcobo, Julius Dimanlig, Jobert Cruz, Kat Mendoza, Kawayan De Guia, Kiri Dalena, Kirby Roxas, Kris Abrigo, Krishna Tabanera, Kuro, Leah Valencia, Leeroy New, Leslie de Chavez, Lotsu Manes, Manolo Sicat, Max Santiago, Marc Tolentino, Mark Salvatus, Mark Bardinas, Mervin Pimentel, Mideo Cruz, Mity de la Pena, Neil Doloricon, Nikki Luna, Odoi Villalon, Piya Constantino, Ralph Guibani, Renan Ortiz, Rene Jose Bituin, Rowena Bayon, Retired Artist, Sid Valdez, Shalimar Gonzaga, Tawnie Tantay, Ted Ca, Teta Tulay, Tristam Miraballes, Vivian Limpin, and Vladimir Grutas.

The organizations and collectives participating, meanwhile, are AKAP Bata, Anakbayan-UP, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment, Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines, CAP, GABRIELA, HABI-ARTS, Free Ericson Acosta Movement, Migrante, and SABAK San Juan.

For more information, call (632) 928-1927 (632) 981-8500 local 4024, or e-mail vargasmuseum@gmail.com. The Jorge B. Vargas Museum is on Roxas Avenue, UP Diliman, Quezon City.