The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) marks the 100th birthday of National Artist Lauro “Larry” Alcala with a month-long exhibit, titled “Return to the Popular: Drawing the Filipino Imagination,” opening to the public on August 19, 2026, at Gallery 2 of the Metropolitan Theater in Manila City.
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 features reproductions of his Slice of Life comic illustrations, original works, memorabilia, and works by members of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas.
Curated by Dr. Jose Santos “Chong” Ardivilla, the exhibit elaborates on how National Artist Alcala’s drawings captured familiar moments in Filipino life and transformed them into humorous stories that people could see themselves in. Showcasing the late cartoonist’s timeless creativity, the exhibit provides an opportunity to share his socio-political observations with the new generation of Filipino artists, comic readers, and enthusiasts.
Return to the Popular: Drawing the Filipino Imagination invites the audience to delve into the same spirit of imagination and poignant appreciation for the mundane that ignited Alcala’s legacy.
Known as Mang Larry, the National Artist became a household name in Philippine cartooning by documenting people, their habits, and the experiences that surrounded him.
Among his notable works were the comic strips Kalabog en Bosyo, Siopawman, and Mang Ambo, as well as the weekly cartoon series Slice of Life.
These works helped establish Alcala’s legacy in Philippine popular culture, with Kalabog en Bosyo later earning the title of the longest-running comic strip made by a Filipino.
Mang Larry’s contribution to the arts extended into education and visual communication. As a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, he shared his knowledge and experience with aspiring young artists, introducing the country’s first college degree course in commercial design.
Through teaching, mentoring, and his own practice, Alcala encouraged younger artists to explore cartooning as both a profession and a way of communicating ideas. He was recognized as the “Dean of Filipino Cartoonists.”
Reintroducing Mang Larry to the new generation of Filipinos
The exhibit also honors Mang Larry’s lifelong pursuit of knowledge through a series of workshops. In partnership with the University of the Philippines’ Department of Visual Communication and Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, there will be five (5) workshops on cartooning happening from August to November 2026.
Open to children aged 8 to 10 years old, illustrators Ardie Aquino, Giodesk Guiao, and Amiel A. Rufo will expound on character design, comic strips, and basic cartooning on August 29.
Comic artists Boboy Yonzon, Barry Jose, and Mike Yonzon will discuss the complexity of expressing thoughts through cartoons on September 5.
Both workshops are slated at Gallery 3 of the Metropolitan Theater.
Meanwhile, at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez, comic artist Crown Dolot elaborates on the essence of life and form on September 22, while illustrator Sebastian Cacho explains cardboard characters on October 17, and artist Melvin Calingo spotlights moving images on November 21.
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.
