In his 50 years as a cartoonist, Larry Alcala has given us over 500 characters, 20 comic strips, 6 movies, and 15,000 pages of materials that exhibited wit, original talent, and incisive commentary. He has also created some of the most famous Pinoy cartoon creations in recent comic history. After all, who could forget the misadventures of Siopawman, Asiong Aksaya, Kalabog and Bosyo, and Mang Ambo? Through these characters he depicted Pinoy culture and its idiosyncrasies, entertaining readers while injecting a sly social commentary.
Alcala continued to entertain with his wildly popular Slice of Life where he invited readers to search for his image hidden in his elaborate illustrations and at the same time showing Pinoy life for what it is.
But it was not just in his cartoons where he made a difference. Alcala also introduced the degree course in commercial design and the 8-mm film production of animated cartoons at the University of the Philippines (UP) and also founded the Samahan ng Kartunista ng Pilipinas. He also received numerous accolades including the Araw ng Maynila Award, Pamana award for Cartooning, Catholic Press award for Best in Humor and the UP Alumni Association Professional Award in Fine Arts. In the year before his death, Alcala was nominated for the prestigious National Artist award.
