Splendor at fifty

A golden milestone meets a new dawn of artistic expression as The Peninsula Manila commemorated its historic 50th anniversary with the grand unveiling of “Echoes of Horizon” under its global Art in Resonance program.

Last 4 September, The Upper Lobby was transformed into a breathtaking sanctuary of multi-generational dialogue, masterfully curated by Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery founder Gaby de la Merced.

Serving as a poetic exploration of time and evolution, the curated collection seamlessly refashions the hotel’s legendary architecture into an immersive stage. Captivating the center of the lobby is the brilliant, structured work of National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo Luz, alongside the luminous masterpieces of pioneer glass sculptor Ramon Orlina and contemporary master Gerardo Tan, whose pieces intimately converse with the hotel’s storied interiors.

The well-attended reception drew the city’s circle of passionate art patrons, high-society tastemakers and cultural luminaries, who gathered to toast the fusion of heritage and innovation.

In attendance to support the historic milestone were Gaby de la Merced, the creative force steering the showcase, alongside the participating master artists, the Orlina family, and dynamic next-generation creators Demosthenes Campos, Dennis Bato, Geremy Samala and Michael Orlina.

Society staples, prominent gallery curators and Manila’s artistic vanguard filled the iconic storied lobby, immersing themselves in a symphony of creative devotion that firmly secures the hotel’s legacy as an enduring sanctuary for global and local Filipino artistry.