Who says Bikolanos are only good in singing (Imelda Papin, Nora Aunor), or acting (Eddie Garcia, Nora Aunor, Dina Bonnevie)?
For those who do not know yet, Bicolanos are also good cartoonists. One of the most successful Bicolano cartoonists is Larry Alcala who hailed from Daraga, Albay. Larry belongs to the Alcala clan one of the political clans in the pre-Marcos. His relatives include Tomas Alcala, one of Albay’s early governors.
Larry was born on August 18, 1926 and died at the age of 75 on June 24, 2002. He studied Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines and was given a travel study grant, the Australian Cultural Award in 1975.
In his 50 years of drawing cartoons, he was able to create more than 500 characters, twenty comic strips, six movies, two mural and 15,000 published pages. Among his public works include: Laugh and Live in “Life Today” (1981-2002); Slice of Life in “Weekend” (1980-1986) “Sunday Tribune” (1986-1987), then in “Sunday Times: (1987-1995), and later in the “Philippine Star” (1995-2002); Asiong Aksaya in the “Daily Express” and “Tagalog Klasiks” (1976-1984); Smolbateribols in “Darna Komiks” (1972-1984); and Mang Ambo, in “Weekly Graphic” (1963-1965), “Weekly Nation” (1965-1972) and “Manila Standard” (1993-1998). He was also famous for Kalabog en Bosyo which he drew for “Pilipino Komiks” (1949-1983) and later, in “Manila Times” (1984-1995).
Aside from his occupation as a Professor in the University of the Philippines, he also became an Art Director of the “Weekly Nation” and the Editorial Cartoonist and Illustrator of the “Weekly Graphic”.
For his achievements and contributions to the field of Fine Arts he was given at least 42 awards and citations. The names of these awards as well as the rest of his work can accessed here.
Larry, indeed, is one of the Bicolanos we can be proud of.
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According to an author, Larry Alcala is the only cartoonist who was able to buy a house. Whether this is true or not, we cannot say. Maybe among his contemporaries.
hi, im jerome alcala gacang, my grandfather was a bicolano but i dont know if he came from the ALCALA clan, im also very good in drawing. ive attended contest when i was in high school. in whole cebu province i was first place in editorial cartooning. my grand father was an architect his name is JOSE CANDIDO VERANO ALCALA, but i never had a chance to see him because he died early.my mother told me that my grandfather came from bicol but she doesnt know any brothers or sister of him. hope any relatives would tell if they know about my grandfather,.
I’m also from ALCALA clan from ALBAY although we were residing now in Camarines Sur.I am fortunate to learn from my grandfather CIRIACO ALCALA about his cousin, none other than LARRY ALCALA.