The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of National Artist Lauro “Larry” Alcala with a month-long exhibit, Return to the Popular: Drawing the Filipino Imagination, which opened to the public on August 19 to September 19, 2026, at Gallery 2 of the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
Co-organized with the Larry Alcala Estate, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. (FHFI), and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the exhibit brings together reproductions of Alcala’s iconic Slice of Life comic illustrations, original works, memorabilia, and pieces by members of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas.
Curated by Dr. Jose Santos “Chong” Ardivilla, the exhibition explores how Alcala transformed ordinary Filipino experiences into humorous and relatable stories. His drawings captured everyday habits, personalities, and situations while offering sharp observations on Philippine society and culture.
Return to the Popular: Drawing the Filipino Imagination invites audiences to rediscover the imagination and appreciation for everyday life that defined Alcala’s work. It also introduces his enduring creative legacy to a new generation of Filipino artists, comic readers, and enthusiasts.
Known affectionately as Mang Larry, Alcala became a household name in Philippine cartooning through works that reflected the everyday lives of Filipinos. Among his best-known creations are the comic strips Kalabog en Bosyo, Siopawman, and Mang Ambo, as well as the long-running weekly cartoon series Slice of Life.
His contributions to Philippine popular culture were further cemented by Kalabog en Bosyo, which became recognized as the longest-running comic strip created by a Filipino.
Beyond his work as a cartoonist, Alcala also made significant contributions to arts education and visual communication. As a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, he mentored generations of aspiring artists and introduced the country’s first college degree course in commercial design.
Through his teaching, mentorship, and artistic practice, Alcala helped establish cartooning as both a profession and a powerful medium for communicating ideas. His influence earned him the distinction of being known as the Dean of Filipino Cartoonists.
Reintroducing Mang Larry to a new generation
The celebration of Alcala’s centennial also extends beyond the exhibition through a series of cartooning workshops designed to continue his lifelong commitment to learning and mentorship.
In partnership with the University of the Philippines Department of Visual Communication and the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, five workshops will be held from August to November 2026.
On August 29, illustrators Ardie Aquino, Giodesk Guiao, and Amiel A. Rufo will introduce children aged 8 to 10 to character design, comic strips, and basic cartooning. The workshop will be held at Gallery 3 of the Metropolitan Theater.
Comic artists Boboy Yonzon, Barry Jose, and Mike Yonzon will lead another workshop on September 5, focusing on the art of expressing thoughts and ideas through cartoons.
Additional workshops will take place at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez, with comic artist Crown Dolot discussing the essence of life and form on September 22, illustrator Sebastian Cacho exploring cardboard characters on October 17, and artist Melvin Calingo highlighting moving images on November 21.
Through the exhibit and educational programs, the CCP and its partners aim to keep Alcala’s artistic legacy alive while encouraging new generations to explore cartooning, illustration, and visual storytelling.
Return to the Popular: Drawing the Filipino Imagination offers audiences an opportunity to revisit the familiar Filipino world that Mang Larry captured so vividly and discover why his work continues to resonate across generations.
For the Larry Alcala Workshop Series at CCP, interested individuals can sign up at https://bit.ly/RTTP-Workshops. All workshops are free of charge. Materials will also be provided to the participants. Registration for the Larry Alcala Workshop Series at the Met will be available on the official NCCA Facebook page.
Through the collaborative efforts of the CCP, NCCA, FHFI, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the Larry Alcala Family, UP Fine Arts, Lennon Group, Worldwide Womb, Tony &, Hala! Media, the partners present Alcala’s centennial celebration this year, which commemorates his depiction of Filipinos’ collective experience.
