When I first heard about the plan to build the world’s largest solar artwork at the National Museum—an initiative led by the grassroots movement Liter of Light—I knew right away it was something our company, Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), should be part of. It was more than an artistic milestone but a rare chance to merge architecture, sustainability, and community in a very tangible way.
And now, I am proud to say that this collaboration has officially set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest display of solar-powered lamps, illuminating not just the museum courtyard, but a new path forward for sustainable design and social impact.
Last July 1, our team of Italpinas architects—Tracy Laman, Emmanuel Olino, Carmela Enriquez, and Angelika Rupido—rolled up their sleeves and got to work, plotting the entire design on-site. This was not a behind-the-desk contribution. They were there on the ground, taking measurements, laying down markers, and translating concept into reality. It was hands-on work, and they did it with precision and pride. Kudos to our team! I am truly proud of you, guys.
In total, the installation brought together 3,500 solar lights housed in handmade clay pots crafted by volunteers and artisans from Odangputik Art Space in Quezon City. Once assembled in the museum courtyard, the lamps formed a giant sunburst spelling out the words “Brighter Together.” It was a powerful image—one that symbolized both the clean energy movement and the strength of working as one.
For me, what stood out even more than the scale was the impact that followed. Each of those lamps is not just a display piece; it is a functional light source. After the event, they will be distributed to off-grid and disaster-prone communities across the country. That’s when this project stops being a record-breaking installation and starts being a long-term solution.
As an architect and as CEO of Italpinas, I have always believed that smart design should be rooted in real-world benefit. That is why this project made perfect sense for us. Since 2009, our company has been developing green buildings in emerging cities across the Philippines—projects that are energy-efficient, thoughtfully designed, and built with both people and the planet in mind.
Supporting this initiative was a natural extension of what we do. The values behind Liter of Light—the grassroots movement that led this project—align with the same goals we have pursued for over a decade: sustainable living that is inclusive and accessible.
I am especially proud to collaborate with Illac Diaz, the founder of Liter of Light. As a fellow Italian by heritage and proudly Filipino by heart, Illac embodies the same cross-cultural spirit that drives our own work at Italpinas. His vision has turned solar technology into a global grassroots movement. He was also the first Filipino to receive the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award for social entrepreneurship back in 2005, a well-deserved recognition of the impact he continues to make.
This project was also a true collaboration. Italpinas brought architectural expertise, Liter of Light led the charge, and hundreds of volunteers, artists, and civic leaders made it possible. In a time when large-scale cooperation can seem elusive, what we did was a reminder that when purpose leads, unity follows.
When we were invited to be part of this undertaking, IDC did not hesitate because we believe in what this project stands for. Clean energy, local craftsmanship, and community solutions should be at the center of how we build—both physically and socially.
In a country like the Philippines, where energy access and climate resilience are constant challenges, solutions like this matter. And if a temporary artwork can be transformed into a tool for change, it is worth supporting from the ground up.
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