LARRY ALCALA’S SLICES OF LIFE, WIT, AND HUMOR AT SM AURA PREMIER

As part of the recent National Heritage Month celebrations, mallgoers had the rare opportunity to have a glimpse of the life and works of National Artist Larry Alcala in an exhibit at the SMX Convention Center at SM Aura Premier.

The Larry Alcala: Slices of Life, Wit, and Humor exhibition featured a collection of archival reproduction of Alcala’s works alongside works in drawing, print, and digital media of selected artists influenced by Larry Alcala, including members of the organization Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan (INK), which thrives to this day.  

The event is a partnership of The Metropolitan Museum of Manila (M) and the Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. (FHFI), with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and SM. It explores Filipino comics and illustrations as popular and enduring art forms that channel humor alongside hard-hitting commentary about Philippine society, and is a testament to the endurance and timeliness of Alcala’s observations, candor, and wit through visual form.

At the height of his career, Larry Alcala was part of every Filipino’s life. Picture a day in the life in the Philippines: the bright pops of color brought on by passing jeeps and tricycles on Manila’s busy streets, the chitter-chatter of neighborhood gossips outside their houses, children climbing trees and playing wherever they can, and the warmth of the tropical sun shining down on all of this. Of all the Filipino artists who worked with these subjects, perhaps none was more prodigious or influential for generations to come than Larry Alcala. 

The exhibition received curatorial guidance from visual communications educator and award-winning illustrator Professor Ruben “Totet” de Jesus of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Fine Arts.

 

The exhibition at the SMX Aura is complemented by the M’s education and public programs from June to July: including an M Collab participatory project, inviting 18-25yo participants to share “à la Alcala” digital art contributions online. For more information, e-mail info@metmuseum.ph.

 

The Larry Alcala: Slices of Life, Wit, and Humor Tribute Exhibit is one of the many exhibit events at SM Aura Premier

 

Photo 1: All for art and heritage.  Project partners FHIFI President Mrs. Armita B. Rufino, SM’s Ms. Millie Dizon and Metropolitan Museum of Manila Foundation Inc President Ms. Tina P. Colayco

Photo 2: National Artist for Music Dr. Ramon Santos

Photo 3: Masskara Festival ’92 from Slice of Life by Larry Alcala

Photo 4: Philippine Postal Corporation PostMaster General and CEO Norman N. Fulgencio

Photo 5: Untitled by Robert Alejandro, one of the Tribute works dedicated to Sir Larry Alcala showcased at the exhibit

Photo 6: The Alcala Family:  son Engr. Lauro Alcala Jr.  with daughters Ana, Angelica and Andrea 

Photo 7: Security Bank Corporation VP for Corporate Communications & Brand Division Head Ms. Tanya Deakin 

Photo 8: Filipino Heritage Festivals, Inc. officers President Mrs. Armita B. Rufino (right), Finance Officer Mrs. Araceli “Chi – Chi” R. Salas (left,) and Board Member Mr. Eduardo Jarque, Jr.

Photo 9: Korean Cultural Center Director IM Young-A with SM Senior Vice President for Marketing Communications Group Ms. Millie Dizon

Photo 10: German Embassy Manila Press and Culture Officer Cyril Constantino, M.A.

Photo 11: NCCA Deputy Executive Director for Operations Office of the Chairman / Board Secretariat Mr. Bernan Joseph R. Corpuz , NCCA Commissioner for Cultural Heritage Head, National Committee on Monuments and Sites  Ar. Michael F. Manalo, with SM Aura Premier AVP for Operations Ms. Bernice Baculi

Photo 12: Slice of Life Tricycle Territory by Larry Alcala

Photo 13: Untitled by Marcus Nada, one of the Tribute works dedicated to Sir Larry Alcala showcased at the exhibit

Photo 14: Exhibition curatorial adviser of Larry Alcala: Slices of Life, Wit and Humor and Professor at the UP College of Fine Arts Ruben de Jesus

Photo 15: From Kiko Machine Komiks Meryl Antonio and Manix Abrera with Sheree Gotuaco from scarletbox.io