Filipino artist creates giant Messi sand portrait using VR technology
Key Takeaways
- Filipino artist Roderick Saranza created a giant sand portrait of Lionel Messi on a beach in Tandag City.
- He uses virtual reality technology and drones to plan and document his large-scale artworks.
- Saranza turned to sand art after the pandemic disrupted his photography and videography business.
Tandag City artist Roderick ‘Papalo’ Saranza combines sand art, virtual reality and drone photography to create large-scale beach portraits
Filipino artist Roderick "Papalo" Saranza has transformed the beaches of Tandag City into a canvas for large-scale sand portraits, combining traditional artistry with virtual reality technology.
The 57-year-old's latest creation is a giant portrait of football star Lionel Messi, carved into the sand and designed to be viewed from above.
"I painted Messi for the World Cup. That was what was on my mind," Saranza explained.
Saranza previously worked as a wedding photographer and videographer, but his business was heavily affected when the COVID-19 pandemic brought public events to a halt.
After years of depression and uncertainty, he turned to sand art in 2024 and began creating large-scale works along the shoreline.
"At first, doing this sand art by the seashore was just a hobby for me. Second, it actually helps my body because when I was just staying idle at home, my body felt quite heavy. Since I started doing sand art, I’ve felt my body grow a bit stronger," he said.
To create the portraits, Saranza uses virtual reality goggles to map out the initial design on the beach. He then carves and shades the image by hand before flying a drone overhead to inspect details and capture the finished artwork.
"Because if it's just canvas – like just painting at home – it feels like there's no adventure. It's kind of boring. So I thought of another idea for what would be better and unique," the artist commented.
While the artwork can be difficult to recognise from ground level, aerial images reveal the full portrait. Videos of his creations shared on Facebook have attracted millions of views.
Residents in Tandag say Saranza's work has become a source of inspiration for the community.
"When I saw him, I thought he was just playing around. But when I saw what Sir Tata was truly doing, it is genuinely inspiring, especially for the youth today," one local said.
"[He is] an inspiration for us, and we are proud of him, especially us folks from Tandag," added another resident.
Although the tide eventually washes away each piece, Saranza continues to share his creations online, where his beach portraits have found a global audience.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
