National Heritage Month Larry Alcala Slice of Life 2022 Stamps

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) issues special stamps, souvenir sheets and official first day covers on 20 May 2022, entitled “National Heritage Month – Slice of Life by Larry Alcala” in keeping with its commitment to support and participate in the celebration of National Heritage Month (NHM) following Proclamation No. 439. This issuance is in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. (FHFI).

NHM 2022 is themed “Pamanang Lokal: Binhi ng Kulturang Pilipino”. The theme highlights the importance of preserving and promoting local heritage, as it impacts Philippine cultural identity. The iconic works of legendary cartoonist, illustrator, pioneer of visual communication, and National Artist for Visual Arts, Lauro “Larry” Alcala, “Slice of Life”, published in The Sunday Times, beautifully illustrate Philippine local heritage. Thus, “Handy Crafts” from the October 1, 1989 issue is featured as a sheet of eight stamps, while “Cooking for a Fiesta” from the September 17, 1989 issue is adapted as a souvenir sheet of four stamps. Elements of each appear on the corresponding covers or envelopes. Filipino creativity is shown through images of Batangas shell craft makers, Cebu guitar makers, Bohol basket weavers, Bicol blacksmiths, Bulacan mat weavers, Taal embroiderers, and Ilocos potters in the set of eight stamps. The Filipino trademark of “bayanihan” is compactly captured in the accompanying souvenir sheet showing a local community preparing for a celebration.