Trust the doting wife to cook up something different for her husband’s birthday. Noted sculptor Ramon Orlina’s wife Lay Ann did just that to celebrate his recent birthday.
She chose an unorthodox and unlikely events venue to stage the party—the lobby of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law.
To make it more auspicious, the celebration was timed with the first anniversary of Orlina’s master opus, the remarkable sculpture “Quatrro Mondial,” which he especially created for the 400th anniversary of the venerable institution, the University of Santo Tomas.
The sculpture stands imposingly just just outside the UST Law lobby, on the Quadricentennial Park. In the lobby itself is a mural on the history of law and the history of the UST school of law by Danilo Santiago.
The after-dinner entertainment featured three of our foremost artists in their respective fields—pianist Raul Sunico, dean of the UST Conservatory of Music; soprano Rachelle Gerodias; and violinist Gina Medina, plus a delightful surprise performance from talented young soprano, Cris Go, who is still studying at the Philippine High School for the Arts.
She wowed the guests like fellow visual artists Betsy Westerndorp, Pandy Aviado, Egai Fernandez, Gus Albor and Nemiranda with her rendition of the “Our Father,” which she sang a capella.
Also seen at the party were Orlina’s colleagues from the artistic and cultural community including Boots Anson Roa, Bambi Harper, Edu Jarque, Elizabeth Reyes, Hans Springer, Ginny Cruz, Boots Herrera; and gallery owners Silvana Diaz, Lori Juvida, Amy Loste, Jonathan Sy and Jack Teotico.
Also noted were former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr.; journalist Amando Doronilla; UST College of Law dean. lawyer Nilo Divina; Tetta Ortiz; collectors Tom and Marge Tan, Cheong Yan and Tess See; Poseng Yuen; Leny de Borja; Jun Naranjilla; Joel Jimenez; couturier Lito Perez and conservationist Rojie Reyes who are working closely with Orlina to promote Taal town in Batangas as an alternative tourist destination.
The evening literally ended on a high note as Tony Pastor, Fedore Yap, Carmen Clavecilla and Tata Poblador joined their vocal prowess in an impromptu musical jam to sing the birthday boy’s favorite songs.
Well done, Lay Ann. And happy birthday, Ramon!
