Visual artist in Negros Occ raises funds for the elderly through exhibition

His perseverance in the Middle East and his initiatives for the Filipino community abroad earned Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Larry Carumba the 2024 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.

The recognition is just one of several awards Larry has received as an OFW. None other than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recognized him as a modern Filipino hero.

“I’ll probably be able to continue my advocacy and these things won’t bother me,” Larry said.

Larry, an award-winning artist, hails from Victorias City, Negros Occidental. To share his blessings with others, Larry initiated an exhibition this Christmas season that showcased his painting skills, particularly his nature-inspired realism.

The proceeds from the exhibition will be used for the construction of the chapel of the Divine Mercy Home for Abandoned Elderly in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City.

The facility is run by Carmelite missionaries and houses elderly people from St. Mary’s Home for the Aged, which closed in 2022.

“They were displaced, some of them were sent back to their families, some other facilities like in Victoria where we have two more elderly people that we need to take back,” said Sister Sandy Telogio, Carmelita Missionary-Bacolod.

The Carmelites have expressed their gratitude for Larry’s kindness as the number of abandoned or neglected elderly people left in hospitals or on the streets has grown.

“The OFW can really help us a lot. “With their full financial support, we can easily build the chapel for the Divine Mercy Home for the Elderly,” Ma said. Corazon Locsin, a benefactor, said.

Larry has used his talents to help the poor and needy out of gratitude to the Lord for the generous blessings he has received.

“As long as I can do it, as long as I have the means, as long as I can support, no matter who you are, no matter who you are, I will do it,” Larry explained.