An icon of Filipino art and humor, National Artist for Visual Arts Larry Alcala is a name instantly recognizable to those who grew up with him and his best-known series, Slice of Life. And now, to commemorate both what would have been the late artist’s 100th birthday and the 40th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, Alcala’s family estate is releasing the Slice of Life “People Power” illustration, printed for a limited collection of shirts.
Predating the Where’s Wally? comic series, Slice of Life features illustrations packed with hundreds of Filipinos going about their day, plus a tiny doodle of Alcala himself hidden somewhere in the mix for viewers to find. The series’ “People Power” print is no different, showing masses of people gathering along EDSA in 1986. Peaceful protesters dressed in yellow, nuns holding rosaries, journalists documenting the day, and people stuck in traffic all make an appearance in Alcala’s illustration, complete with soldiers and military tanks flanking the crowds.
Like in all of his Slice of Life comics, Alcala has snuck a tiny bespectacled cartoon of himself in the mix. “Yes, he’s there,” said the artist’s granddaughters. “Hint: EDSA traffic.”
Alcala’s granddaughters worked tirelessly to remaster the original piece and make it available as shirts commemorating 40 years of the People Power Revolution.
“Throughout his career, Alcala’s work has served as both a mirror and a chronicle of Philippine life and history,” as written in the collection’s official statement. “Four decades on, his ‘People’s Power’ illustration continues to resonate, reaffirming the relevance of his vision and the timelessness of his commentary on Filipino identity.”
The shirts are currently available for pre-order exclusively through the Fundacion Sanso shop until March 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
The collection features National Artist Larry Alcala’s 1986 “People Power” illustration printed on commemorative shirts. Released by Alcala’s family estate through Fundacion Sanso, the run honors Alcala’s centennial birth anniversary and the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
Alcala’s “People Power” artwork captures the crowded, peaceful gathering along EDSA in 1986. The detailed illustration depicts yellow-clad protesters, nuns with rosaries, journalists, military tanks, and everyday citizens stuck in traffic, embodying his signature visual chronicle of Filipino society.
In keeping with his Slice of Life tradition, Alcala hid a small cartoon caricature of himself wearing glasses within the crowded illustration. According to the artist’s estate, his hidden self-portrait can be spotted amidst the EDSA traffic section of the drawing.
Larry Alcala was a renowned Filipino cartoonist and National Artist for Visual Arts. Best known for his Slice of Life series, his detailed illustrations served as an insightful, humorous mirror of Philippine social history, predating popular search-and-find formats like Where’s Wally?.
The limited-edition Slice of Life “People Power” shirts were made available for exclusive pre-order through the Fundacion Sanso online shop until March 3. Proceeds and remastering efforts were managed in coordination with the late artist’s family estate.
Recommended Video
