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{{Short description|Filipino cartoonist and illustrator}}
{{Distinguish|Alfredo Alcala}}
{{Distinguish|Alfredo Alcala}}
{{Philippine name|Zarate|Alcala}}

{{Use Philippine English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox comics creator
{{Infobox comics creator
| image =
| image = File:Larry Alcala 2022 stampsheet of the Philippines crop.jpg
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| caption = Larry Alcala
| birth_name = Lauro Zarate Alcala
| birth_name = Lauro Zarate Alcala
| birth_date = {{birth date|1926|8|18}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1926|8|18}}
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| area = [[Cartoonist]], [[Publisher]]
| area = [[Cartoonist]], [[Publisher]]
| alias = Larry Alcala
| alias = Larry Alcala
| notable works = ''[[Siopawman]]''<br>''Slice of Life''<br>''Mang Ambo''<br>''Kalabog en Bosyo''
| notable works = ''[[Siopawman]]''<br />''Slice of Life''<br />''Mang Ambo''<br />''Kalabog en Bosyo''
| awards = [[File:PHL_Blue_White_Red.png|100px]]<br> [[National Artist of the Philippines]]
| awards = {{nowrap|[[File:National_Artist_of_the_Philippines.svg|25px]] [[Order of National Artists of the Philippines]]}}
}}
}}
'''Lauro Zarate Alcala''' (August 18, 1926 – June 24, 2002), also known as '''Larry Alcala''', was a well-known editorial [[cartoonist]] and [[illustrator]] in the Philippines.<ref name="Defeo">"The hiLARRYous Art of Alcala", by Ruben Defeo, Today (22 August 1995), p. 20</ref><ref name="Romana">"Slices of Larry Alcala" by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer (22 July 1996)</ref><ref name="UP">"Larry Alcala, 1926-2002", UP''date'' Diliman (May–June 2002)</ref>
'''Lauro "Larry" Zarate Alcala''' [[National Artist of the Philippines|ONA]] (August 18, 1926 – June 24, 2002) was a well-known editorial [[cartoonist]] and [[illustrator]] in the Philippines.<ref name="Defeo">"The hiLARRYous Art of Alcala", by Ruben Defeo, Today (August 22, 1995), p. 20</ref><ref name="Romana">"Slices of Larry Alcala" by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer (July 22, 1996)</ref><ref name="UP">"Larry Alcala, 1926–2002", UP''date'' Diliman (May–June 2002)</ref> In 2018, he was posthumously conferred the National Artist for Visual Arts title and the Grand Collar of the Order of National Artists (Order ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining).<ref>{{cite web|title=National Artists of the Philippines |url=https://upd.edu.ph/national-artists-of-the-philippines/|publisher=[[University of the Philippines]] |accessdate=February 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lauro 'Larry' Alcala |url=https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-the-philippines/larry-alcala/|publisher=[[National Commission for Culture and the Arts]] |accessdate=February 8, 2020}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
He was born on August 18, 1926 to Ernesto Alcala and Elpidia Zarate in Daraga, Albay. Through a scholarship from [[Manila Times]] granted by the publisher Ramón Roces, he obtained a degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at the [[University of the Philippines]] (UP) in 1950. He became a professor at the same university from 1951 to 1981. He also received the Australian Cultural Award accompanied by a travel study grant in 1975.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
He was born on August 18, 1926, to Ernesto Alcala and Elpidia Zarate in Daraga, Albay. Through a scholarship from [[Manila Times]] granted by the publisher Ramón Roces, he obtained a degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at the [[University of the Philippines]] (UP) in 1950. He became a professor at the same university from 1951 to 1981. He also received the Australian Cultural Award accompanied by a travel study grant in 1975.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>


He started his cartooning career in 1946 while still attending school. After World War II, he created his very first comic strip, ''Islaw Palitaw'', which was printed on the pages of the Filipino weekly magazine, ''[[Liwayway]]'' ("dawn")). In 1947, he created the comic strip ''Kalabog en Bosyo'', using [[Taglish]] as the medium of communication of his characters.
He started his cartooning career in 1946 while still attending school. After World War II, he created his very first comic strip, ''Islaw Palitaw'', which was printed on the pages of the Filipino weekly magazine ''[[Liwayway]]''. In 1947, he created the comic strip ''Kalabog en Bosyo'', using [[Taglish]] as the medium of communication of his characters.
He pioneered animated cartoons for television commercials of products such as Darigold Milk in 1957 and [[Caltex]] in 1965. His campaign for the advancement of illustration and commercial art in the Philippines resulted to the establishment of the Visual Communication Department at the UP College of Fine Arts.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
He pioneered animated cartoons for television commercials of products such as Darigold Milk in 1957 and [[Caltex]] in 1965. His campaign for the advancement of illustration and commercial art in the Philippines resulted to the establishment of the Visual Communication Department at the UP College of Fine Arts.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>


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All in all, he made over 500 [[cartoon characters]], twenty [[comic strips]], six movies, two [[murals]], and 15,000 published pages in his 56 years of professional cartooning career. He believed in the far-reaching role of cartoons in education and value formation.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
All in all, he made over 500 [[cartoon characters]], twenty [[comic strips]], six movies, two [[murals]], and 15,000 published pages in his 56 years of professional cartooning career. He believed in the far-reaching role of cartoons in education and value formation.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>


==Death==
He died on June 24, 2002 when he was 75.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
Alcala died at the age of 75 on June 24, 2002, due to heart failure at the Riverside Medical Centre, Bacolod City, central Philippines. His remains were laid in repose in state at Rolling Hills Memorial Chapel in Bacolod.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/> In March 2019, his remains were reinterred, and was accorded a state funeral at the [[Libingan ng mga Bayani]].


==His cartoons==
==His Cartoons==
[[File:Larry Alcala 2022 stampsheet of the Philippines.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Alcala and a fragment from ''Slice of Life'' on a 2022 stamp sheet of the Philippines]]
His most popular cartoon series was "Slice of Life, which is a reflection of the many unique aspects of everyday life in the [[Philippines]]. He captured the interest of his weekend patrons by giving them the task of looking for his image cleverly concealed within the weekend cartoon. He did the same with his other comic strip ''Kalabog and Bosyo''. His cartoons had been tapped in advertising campaigns, such as corporate calendars, print ads, promotional T-shirts and in [[San Miguel Brewery|San Miguel Beer]] cans.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
His most popular cartoon series was ''Slice of Life'', which is a reflection of the many unique aspects of everyday life in the [[Philippines]]. He captured the interest of his weekend patrons by giving them the task of looking for his image cleverly concealed within the weekend cartoon. He did the same with his other comic strip ''Kalabog en Bosyo''. His cartoons had been tapped in advertising campaigns, such as corporate calendars, print ads, promotional T-shirts and in [[San Miguel Brewery|San Miguel Beer]] cans.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>


In 1988, his ''Slice of Life'' received the Best in Humor award and was also cited for helping to keep alive the Filipino's ability to laugh at himself, through the lively marriage of art and humor, and through commentaries that are at once critical and compassionate, evoking laughter and reflection.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
In 1988, his ''Slice of Life'' received the Best in Humor award and was also cited for helping to keep alive the Filipino's ability to laugh at himself, through the lively marriage of art and humor, and through commentaries that are at once critical and compassionate, evoking laughter and reflection.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>


Slice of Life appeared on the pages of the ''Weekend Magazine''.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
''Slice of Life'' appeared on the pages of the ''Weekend Magazine''.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>


===Mang Ambo===
===Mang Ambo===
''Mang Ambo'' is the personification of the Filipino according to Larry Alcala. ''Mang Ambo'', the character, is an incorrigible cock-eyed innocent, possessing a small town charm amidst urban sophistication. Through ''Mang Ambo'' and the other characters of a fictional place called, ''Barrio Bulabog'', Alcala exposed the follies and foibles of Philippine society in general and of cosmopolitan life in particular. In this cartoon strip’s characters, he also affirmed the Filipino's peculiar coping mechanism of laughing at himself in the face of adversity but still absorbing life's vicissitudes with resilience. ''Mang Ambo'' made its debut in 1960 as a full-page feature in the ''Weekly Graphic''. The cartoon series later became the first Alcala comic strip to be compiled in book form.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
''Mang Ambo'' is the personification of the Filipino according to Larry Alcala. ''Mang Ambo'', the character, is an incorrigible cock-eyed innocent, possessing a small town charm amidst urban sophistication. Through ''Mang Ambo'' and the other characters of a fictional place called ''Barrio Bulabog'', Alcala exposed the follies and foibles of Philippine society in general and of cosmopolitan life in particular. In this cartoon strip's characters, he also affirmed the Filipino's peculiar coping mechanism of laughing at himself in the face of adversity but still absorbing life's vicissitudes with resilience. ''Mang Ambo'' made its debut in 1960 as a full-page feature in the ''Weekly Graphic''. The cartoon series later became the first Alcala comic strip to be compiled in book form.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>


===Kalabog en Bosyo===
===''Kalabog en Bosyo''===
Alcala's most enduring comic strip was ''Kalabog en Bosyo'' that first appeared on the pages of ''Pilipino Komiks'' in 1947. It eventually became the longest running cartoon series created by a Filipino.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
Alcala's most enduring comic strip was ''Kalabog en Bosyo'' that first appeared on the pages of ''Pilipino Komiks'' in 1947. It eventually became the longest running cartoon series created by a Filipino.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>


Decades before ''Slice of Life'', Alcala was already doing cameo roles in his ''Kalabog en Bosyo'' comic strips, but instead of portraying himself with a moustach, spectacles and side burns, he rendered himself in a crew-cut, younger and about 100-pounds thinner profile.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
Decades before ''Slice of Life'', Alcala was already doing cameo roles in his ''Kalabog en Bosyo'' comic strips, but instead of portraying himself with a moustach, spectacles and side burns, he rendered himself in a crew-cut, younger and about 100-pounds thinner profile.<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
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*International Cartoons, Athens, Greece (1980)
*International Cartoons, Athens, Greece (1980)
*Salon of Cartoons, Montreal, Canada (1980)
*Salon of Cartoons, Montreal, Canada (1980)
*Laugh and Live, Life Today (1981-2002)
*Laugh and Live, Life Today (1981–2002)
*Slice of Life, Weekend (1980-1986), Sunday Tribune (1986-1987), Sunday Times (1987-1995), Philstar (1995-2002)
*Slice of Life, Weekend (1980–1986), Sunday Tribune (1986–1987), Sunday Times (1987–1995), Philstar (1995–2002)
*Bing Bang Bung, Pilipino Funny Komiks (1978-1989)
*Bing Bam Bung, Pilipino Funny Komiks (1978–1989)
*Asiong Aksaya, Daily Express, Tagalog Klasiks (1976-1984)
*Asiong Aksaya, Daily Express, Tagalog Klasiks (1976–1984)
*Mod-Caps, Mod Magazine (1974-2002)
*Mod-Caps, Mod Magazine (1974–2002)
*Snickerteens, TSS Magazine (1973-1984)
*Snickerteens, TSS Magazine (1973–1984)
*Smolbateribols, Darna Komiks (1972-1984)
*Smolbateribols, Darna Komiks (1972–1984)
*Siopawman, Daily Express (1972-1983, 2002)
*Siopawman, Daily Express (1972–1983, 2002)
*Kalambogesyons, Pinoy Komiks (1966-1972)
*Kalambogesyons, Pinoy Komiks (1966–1972)
*Congressman Kalog, Aliwan Komiks (1966-1972)
*Congressman Kalog, Aliwan Komiks (1966–1972)
*Barrio Pogspak, Holiday Komiks (1966-1972)
*Barrio Pogspak, Holiday Komiks (1966–1972)
*Project 13, Pioneer Komiks (1966-1972)
*Project 13, Pioneer Komiks (1966–1972)
*Loverboy, Redondo Komiks (1964-1969)
*Loverboy, Redondo Komiks (1964–1969)
*Cartoon Feature, Asia Magazine (1963)
*Cartoon Feature, Asia Magazine (1963)
*Mang Ambo, Weekly Graphic (1963-1965), Weekly Nation (1965-1972) Manila Standard (1993-1998)
*Mang Ambo, Weekly Graphic (1963–1965), Weekly Nation (1965–1972) Manila Standard (1993–1998)
*This Business of Living, Weekly Graphic (1951-1965), Weekly Nation (1965-1972)
*This Business of Living, Weekly Graphic (1951–1965), Weekly Nation (1965–1972)
*Best Cartoons from Abroad, New York, USA (1955-1956)
*Best Cartoons from Abroad, New York, US (1955–1956)
*Tipin, Hiwaga Komiks (1951-1965)
*Tipin, Hiwaga Komiks (1951–1965)
*Kalabog en Bosyo, Pilipino Komiks (1949-1983), Manila times (1984-1995)
*Kalabog en Bosyo, Pilipino Komiks (1949–1983), Manila Times (1984–1995)
*Islaw Palitaw (1946-1948)
*Islaw Palitaw (1946–1948)
*A Cover for Asiaweek Magazine, February 10, 1984
*A Cover for Asiaweek Magazine, February 10, 1984
*Mga Salawikain ni Lolo Brigido, Pambata Magazine
*Bing Bam Bung, Pilipino Funny Komiks
*A Cartoon Mural for the Philippine Village Hotel
*A Cartoon Mural for the Philippine Village Hotel
*A Mural for the Philippine Commission on Audit
*A Mural for the Philippine Commission on Audit
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*Introduced the first college degree course on Commercial Design in the Philippines, 1953
*Introduced the first college degree course on Commercial Design in the Philippines, 1953
*Introduced the first 8&nbsp;mm film production of animated cartoons in Visual Communications course, 1972
*Introduced the first 8&nbsp;mm film production of animated cartoons in Visual Communications course, 1972
*Chairman Department of Visual Communications, University of the Philippines, 1978-1981
*Chairman Department of Visual Communications, University of the Philippines, 1978–1981
*Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1976-1979
*Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1976–1979
*Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1971-1976
*Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1971–1976
*Assistant Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1962-1970
*Assistant Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1962–1970
*Instructor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1951-1962
*Instructor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1951–1962


==Cartoon exhibitions==
==Cartoon exhibitions==
The following are exhibitions of Alcala's cartoons:<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
The following are exhibitions of Alcala's cartoons:<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
*1999 Larry Alcala & Friends: Cartoons and Caricatures Show, The Westin Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard,
*1999 Larry Alcala & Friends: Cartoons and Caricatures Show, The Westin Philippine Plaza (now Sofitel Philippine Plaza), CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard,
*1998 Larry Alcala, Life and Times of a Cartoonist, Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc.
*1998 Larry Alcala, Life and Times of a Cartoonist, Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc.
*1998 Cartoon Festival, Seoul, Korea
*1998 Cartoon Festival, Seoul, Korea
*1995 Asian Cartoonist Exhibition and Symposium, Japan
*1995 Asian Cartoonist Exhibition and Symposium, Japan
*1995 Slices of Larry’s Art, SM Megamall Art Center & Liongoren Art Gallery
*1995 Slices of Larry's Art, SM Megamall Art Center & Liongoren Art Gallery
*1993 Cartoons, Solo exhibit, San Jose & San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
*1993 Cartoons, Solo exhibit, San Jose & San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
*1991 Cartoons, Group exhibit, Japan
*1991 Cartoons, Group exhibit, Japan
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==Professional and journalistic achievements==
==Professional and journalistic achievements==
The following is an enumeration of Alcala's professional and journalistic accomplishments:<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
The following is an enumeration of Alcala's professional and journalistic accomplishments:<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
*Art Director, Weekly Nation, 1965-1972
*Art Director, Weekly Nation, 1965–1972
*Editorial Cartoonist and Illustrator, Weekly Graphic, 1961-1964
*Editorial Cartoonist and Illustrator, Weekly Graphic, 1961–1964
*TV Art Consultant, Citizens Award for Television (CCMM) 1971-1972
*TV Art Consultant, Citizens Award for Television (CCMM) 1971–1972
*TV Animated Cartoon Commercial for Darigold Milk, 1969
*TV Animated Cartoon Commercial for Darigold Milk, 1969
*Art Consultant, U.P. Public Affairs TV, Channel 13, 1963-1964
*Art Consultant, U.P. Public Affairs TV, Channel 13, 1963–1964
*Design artist, Mobil Philippines, 1961-1962
*Design artist, Mobil Philippines, 1961–1962
*Supervising Animator, Universal Animated Productions, 1959-1960
*Supervising Animator, Universal Animated Productions, 1959–1960
*Movie Consultant, Kalabog and Bosyo,1986
*Movie Consultant, ''Kalabog and Bosyo'', 1986
*Movie Consultant, Asiong Aksaya, GP Productions, 1977
*Movie Consultant, ''Asiong Aksaya'', GP Productions, 1977
*Movie Consultant, Kalabog and Bosyo, Sampaguita Pictures, 1957
*Movie Consultant, ''Kalabog and Bosyo'', Sampaguita Pictures, 1957
*Movie Consultant, Tipin, Sampaguita Pictures, 1956
*Movie Consultant, ''Tipin'', Sampaguita Pictures, 1956
*Scriptwriter, Dos por Dos, Channel 2, 1974
*Scriptwriter, ''Dos por Dos'', Channel 2, 1974
*Advertising Artist, Pan Pacific Advertising, 1948-1949
*Advertising Artist, Pan Pacific Advertising, 1948–1949


==Clubs and organizations==
==Clubs and organizations==
Alcala had been affiliated with the following clubs and organizations:<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
Alcala had been affiliated with the following clubs and organizations:<ref name="Defeo"/><ref name="Romana"/><ref name="UP"/>
*Adviser, [[Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas]] (SKP), 1989-2002
*Adviser, [[Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas]] (SKP), 1989–2002
*President, Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas (SKP), 1979- 1989
*President, Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas (SKP), 1979– 1989
*President, Art Directors Club of the Philippines, 1963-1964
*President, Art Directors Club of the Philippines, 1963–1964
*Vice President, Society of Philippine Illustrators and Cartoonists (SPIC) 1962-1963
*Vice President, Society of Philippine Illustrators and Cartoonists (SPIC) 1962–1963


==Awards, citations and recognitions==
==Awards, citations and recognitions==
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*The Archdiocese of Manila Catholic Press Awards
*The Archdiocese of Manila Catholic Press Awards
*The Citizens' Council for Mass Media 1970 CAM Awards
*The Citizens' Council for Mass Media 1970 CAM Awards
*The Komiks Operation Brotherhood, Inc. (Komopeb) (Life Achievement Award)
*The Komiks Operation Brotherhood, Inc. (Komopeb) (Life Achievement Award)
*Samahan ng mga Manunulat, Artist, at Patnugot at mga Manggagawa sa Komiks
*Samahan ng mga Manunulat, Artist, at Patnugot at mga Manggagawa sa Komiks
*SPIC-NPC Annual Art Awards
*SPIC-NPC Annual Art Awards
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==External links and further readings==
==External links==
*[http://www.larryalcala.com/ Larry Alcala, Sr. by Lauro Alcala, Jr.]
*[http://www.larryalcala.com/ Larry Alcala, Sr. by Lauro Alcala, Jr.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030810125024/http://www.ink.org.ph/byink/alaalcala.html Larry Alcala: Illustrator, Storyteller by May M. Tobias]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030810125024/http://www.ink.org.ph/byink/alaalcala.html Larry Alcala: Illustrator, Storyteller by May M. Tobias]
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*[http://www.larryalcala.com/kalabogenbosyo.html Kalabog en Bosyo]
*[http://www.larryalcala.com/kalabogenbosyo.html Kalabog en Bosyo]


{{National Artists of the Philippines}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:Comic strip cartoonists]]
⚫
[[Category:Filipino cartoonists]]
[[Category:Bicolano people]]
[[Category:Bicolano people]]
⚫
[[Category:Filipino comic strip cartoonists]]
⚫
[[Category:Filipino editorial cartoonists]]
[[Category:Filipino comics artists]]
[[Category:Filipino comics writers]]
[[Category:Filipino illustrators]]
[[Category:Filipino illustrators]]
[[Category:National Artists of the Philippines]]
[[Category:People from Albay]]
[[Category:People from Albay]]
[[Category:University of the Philippines alumni]]
[[Category:University of the Philippines alumni]]

Latest revision as of 04:48, 11 December 2024

Not to be confused with Alfredo Alcala.
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Zarate and the surname or paternal family name is Alcala.

Larry Alcala
Larry Alcala
BornLauro Zarate Alcala
(1926-08-18)August 18, 1926
Daraga, Albay, Philippine Islands
DiedJune 24, 2002(2002-06-24) (aged 75)
Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Area(s)Cartoonist, Publisher
Pseudonym(s)Larry Alcala
Notable works
Siopawman
Slice of Life
Mang Ambo
Kalabog en Bosyo
Awards Order of National Artists of the Philippines

Lauro "Larry" Zarate Alcala ONA (August 18, 1926 – June 24, 2002) was a well-known editorial cartoonist and illustrator in the Philippines.[1][2][3] In 2018, he was posthumously conferred the National Artist for Visual Arts title and the Grand Collar of the Order of National Artists (Order ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining).[4][5]

Biography

[edit]

He was born on August 18, 1926, to Ernesto Alcala and Elpidia Zarate in Daraga, Albay. Through a scholarship from Manila Times granted by the publisher Ramón Roces, he obtained a degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at the University of the Philippines (UP) in 1950. He became a professor at the same university from 1951 to 1981. He also received the Australian Cultural Award accompanied by a travel study grant in 1975.[1][2][3]

He started his cartooning career in 1946 while still attending school. After World War II, he created his very first comic strip, Islaw Palitaw, which was printed on the pages of the Filipino weekly magazine Liwayway. In 1947, he created the comic strip Kalabog en Bosyo, using Taglish as the medium of communication of his characters. He pioneered animated cartoons for television commercials of products such as Darigold Milk in 1957 and Caltex in 1965. His campaign for the advancement of illustration and commercial art in the Philippines resulted to the establishment of the Visual Communication Department at the UP College of Fine Arts.[1][2][3]

In 1997, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) granted him the title Dean of Filipino Cartoonists, an achievement award for his lifetime dedication to the art of capturing humor in the character and everyday life in the Philippines. In 1991, he promoted the formation of a group of young children's book illustrators called Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK).[1][2][3]

All in all, he made over 500 cartoon characters, twenty comic strips, six movies, two murals, and 15,000 published pages in his 56 years of professional cartooning career. He believed in the far-reaching role of cartoons in education and value formation.[1][2][3]

Death

[edit]

Alcala died at the age of 75 on June 24, 2002, due to heart failure at the Riverside Medical Centre, Bacolod City, central Philippines. His remains were laid in repose in state at Rolling Hills Memorial Chapel in Bacolod.[1][2][3] In March 2019, his remains were reinterred, and was accorded a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

His Cartoons

[edit]
Alcala and a fragment from Slice of Life on a 2022 stamp sheet of the Philippines

His most popular cartoon series was Slice of Life, which is a reflection of the many unique aspects of everyday life in the Philippines. He captured the interest of his weekend patrons by giving them the task of looking for his image cleverly concealed within the weekend cartoon. He did the same with his other comic strip Kalabog en Bosyo. His cartoons had been tapped in advertising campaigns, such as corporate calendars, print ads, promotional T-shirts and in San Miguel Beer cans.[1][2][3]

In 1988, his Slice of Life received the Best in Humor award and was also cited for helping to keep alive the Filipino's ability to laugh at himself, through the lively marriage of art and humor, and through commentaries that are at once critical and compassionate, evoking laughter and reflection.[1][2][3]

Slice of Life appeared on the pages of the Weekend Magazine.[1][2][3]

Mang Ambo

[edit]

Mang Ambo is the personification of the Filipino according to Larry Alcala. Mang Ambo, the character, is an incorrigible cock-eyed innocent, possessing a small town charm amidst urban sophistication. Through Mang Ambo and the other characters of a fictional place called Barrio Bulabog, Alcala exposed the follies and foibles of Philippine society in general and of cosmopolitan life in particular. In this cartoon strip's characters, he also affirmed the Filipino's peculiar coping mechanism of laughing at himself in the face of adversity but still absorbing life's vicissitudes with resilience. Mang Ambo made its debut in 1960 as a full-page feature in the Weekly Graphic. The cartoon series later became the first Alcala comic strip to be compiled in book form.[1][2][3]

Kalabog en Bosyo

[edit]

Alcala's most enduring comic strip was Kalabog en Bosyo that first appeared on the pages of Pilipino Komiks in 1947. It eventually became the longest running cartoon series created by a Filipino.[1][2][3]

Decades before Slice of Life, Alcala was already doing cameo roles in his Kalabog en Bosyo comic strips, but instead of portraying himself with a moustach, spectacles and side burns, he rendered himself in a crew-cut, younger and about 100-pounds thinner profile.[1][2][3]

An onomatopoeic Tagalog word, the name of the character, Kalabog, refers to the thud sound produced after the impact of a falling object finally reaching solid ground. In Kalabog en Bosyo, Alcala pioneered in the blending of Tagalog and English or Taglish as the medium of communication among his characters. The comic misadventures of the two bungling detectives namely Kalabog and Bosyo had been transposed into films by Sampaguita Pictures in 1957, starring the Filipino actors-comedians, Dolphy and Panchito Alba.[1][2][3]

Summary of published works

[edit]

The following is a summary of Alcala's published works:[1][2][3]

  • International Cartoons, Athens, Greece (1980)
  • Salon of Cartoons, Montreal, Canada (1980)
  • Laugh and Live, Life Today (1981–2002)
  • Slice of Life, Weekend (1980–1986), Sunday Tribune (1986–1987), Sunday Times (1987–1995), Philstar (1995–2002)
  • Bing Bam Bung, Pilipino Funny Komiks (1978–1989)
  • Asiong Aksaya, Daily Express, Tagalog Klasiks (1976–1984)
  • Mod-Caps, Mod Magazine (1974–2002)
  • Snickerteens, TSS Magazine (1973–1984)
  • Smolbateribols, Darna Komiks (1972–1984)
  • Siopawman, Daily Express (1972–1983, 2002)
  • Kalambogesyons, Pinoy Komiks (1966–1972)
  • Congressman Kalog, Aliwan Komiks (1966–1972)
  • Barrio Pogspak, Holiday Komiks (1966–1972)
  • Project 13, Pioneer Komiks (1966–1972)
  • Loverboy, Redondo Komiks (1964–1969)
  • Cartoon Feature, Asia Magazine (1963)
  • Mang Ambo, Weekly Graphic (1963–1965), Weekly Nation (1965–1972) Manila Standard (1993–1998)
  • This Business of Living, Weekly Graphic (1951–1965), Weekly Nation (1965–1972)
  • Best Cartoons from Abroad, New York, US (1955–1956)
  • Tipin, Hiwaga Komiks (1951–1965)
  • Kalabog en Bosyo, Pilipino Komiks (1949–1983), Manila Times (1984–1995)
  • Islaw Palitaw (1946–1948)
  • A Cover for Asiaweek Magazine, February 10, 1984
  • Mga Salawikain ni Lolo Brigido, Pambata Magazine
  • A Cartoon Mural for the Philippine Village Hotel
  • A Mural for the Philippine Commission on Audit
  • Contributions for Duty Free
  • Contributions for Jollibee restaurant
  • Caricatures and Cartoons, Private collections
  • Cover designs, brochures and catalogs, University of the Philippines
  • San Miguel Corporation Calendar, 1983
  • SPIC Cartoonists Exhibit on Wheels, 1967 Society of Philippine Illustrators and Cartoonists (SPIC)
  • Asiong Aksaya TV show, Energy Conservation Movement of the Philippines, 1977

Contributions to Philippine education

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The following are Alcala's contributions to education in the Philippines:[1][2][3]

  • Introduced the first college degree course on Commercial Design in the Philippines, 1953
  • Introduced the first 8 mm film production of animated cartoons in Visual Communications course, 1972
  • Chairman Department of Visual Communications, University of the Philippines, 1978–1981
  • Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1976–1979
  • Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1971–1976
  • Assistant Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1962–1970
  • Instructor, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, 1951–1962

Cartoon exhibitions

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The following are exhibitions of Alcala's cartoons:[1][2][3]

  • 1999 Larry Alcala & Friends: Cartoons and Caricatures Show, The Westin Philippine Plaza (now Sofitel Philippine Plaza), CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard,
  • 1998 Larry Alcala, Life and Times of a Cartoonist, Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc.
  • 1998 Cartoon Festival, Seoul, Korea
  • 1995 Asian Cartoonist Exhibition and Symposium, Japan
  • 1995 Slices of Larry's Art, SM Megamall Art Center & Liongoren Art Gallery
  • 1993 Cartoons, Solo exhibit, San Jose & San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
  • 1991 Cartoons, Group exhibit, Japan
  • 1990 ASEAN Cartoonist Exhibit, Tokyo, Japan
  • 1989 Cartoon Exhibit, China
  • 1988 Slices of Life Part 2, Art Association of Bacolod Gallery
  • 1987 Slices of Life Here and Abroad, Hyatt Regency Manila
  • 1987 Cartoons, Group exhibit, Hiroshima, Japan
  • 1986 Cartoons, Solo exhibit, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia
  • 1985 Cartoons, Group exhibit, Chicago, San Francisco & Los Angeles, U.S.A.
  • 1984 1st Asian Cartoonist Conference, Hiroshima, Japan
  • 1984 Larry Alcala's First One-Man Exhibition, Heritage Art Center
  • 1982 SKP Exhibit in Australia

Professional and journalistic achievements

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The following is an enumeration of Alcala's professional and journalistic accomplishments:[1][2][3]

  • Art Director, Weekly Nation, 1965–1972
  • Editorial Cartoonist and Illustrator, Weekly Graphic, 1961–1964
  • TV Art Consultant, Citizens Award for Television (CCMM) 1971–1972
  • TV Animated Cartoon Commercial for Darigold Milk, 1969
  • Art Consultant, U.P. Public Affairs TV, Channel 13, 1963–1964
  • Design artist, Mobil Philippines, 1961–1962
  • Supervising Animator, Universal Animated Productions, 1959–1960
  • Movie Consultant, Kalabog and Bosyo, 1986
  • Movie Consultant, Asiong Aksaya, GP Productions, 1977
  • Movie Consultant, Kalabog and Bosyo, Sampaguita Pictures, 1957
  • Movie Consultant, Tipin, Sampaguita Pictures, 1956
  • Scriptwriter, Dos por Dos, Channel 2, 1974
  • Advertising Artist, Pan Pacific Advertising, 1948–1949

Clubs and organizations

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Alcala had been affiliated with the following clubs and organizations:[1][2][3]

  • Adviser, Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas (SKP), 1989–2002
  • President, Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas (SKP), 1979– 1989
  • President, Art Directors Club of the Philippines, 1963–1964
  • Vice President, Society of Philippine Illustrators and Cartoonists (SPIC) 1962–1963

Awards, citations and recognitions

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He received recognition from the following entities:[1][2][3]

  • U.P. College of Fine Arts
  • The Board of Directors of the U.P. Alumni Association,
  • The Office of the Mayor of the City of Manila, Philippines
  • The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY)
  • The Archdiocese of Manila Catholic Press Awards
  • The Citizens' Council for Mass Media 1970 CAM Awards
  • The Komiks Operation Brotherhood, Inc. (Komopeb) (Life Achievement Award)
  • Samahan ng mga Manunulat, Artist, at Patnugot at mga Manggagawa sa Komiks
  • SPIC-NPC Annual Art Awards
  • The Society of Philippine Illustrators and Cartoonists
  • The Society of Philippine Illustrators and Cartoonists (3rd SPIC Annual Art Awards)
  • The Galleria Bernice L
  • The U.P. College of Fine Arts Alumni Foundation, Inc.
  • The University of the Philippines Alumni Association
  • The Philippine Council of Industrial Editors
  • The United Artists and Core Corporation, the Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc.
  • Operation Smile
  • The Bureau of Land Transportation
  • The Safety Organization of the Philippines, Inc.
  • The Veterans Memorial Medical Center Diabetes Association
  • The University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City
  • The Positive Artists Group (Pamana award)
  • The U.P. College of Fine Arts
  • The University of the Philippines (Service Award, 25 years of service)
  • Caltex and D.O.S.T
  • Philips -Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Parol Festïval 1986
  • The National Manpower and Youth Council Office of Vocational Preparation
  • The Department of Laboratories Veterans Memorial Medical Center
  • NAFC, DECS, DENR, DA
  • The Gawad CCP Para sa Telebisyon sa Taong 1988
  • St. Patrick Commercial Appreciation Award
  • The National Environmental Protection Council Awards
  • The City of Bacolod
  • Caltex-DECS-DOST Science Art Contest

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "The hiLARRYous Art of Alcala", by Ruben Defeo, Today (August 22, 1995), p. 20
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Slices of Larry Alcala" by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer (July 22, 1996)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Larry Alcala, 1926–2002", UPdate Diliman (May–June 2002)
  4. ^ "National Artists of the Philippines". University of the Philippines. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  5. ^ "Lauro 'Larry' Alcala". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
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