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 Abroad.

The recognition is just one of several accolades Larry received as an OFW. He was recognized by no less than President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as a modern Filipino hero.

“Probably I will be able to continue my advocacy and those things na makatutulong sa ating kapwa,” Larry said.

Larry, a multi-awarded artist, is a native of Victorias City, Negros Occidental. This Christmas season, to be able to share his blessings, Larry initiated an exhibit that displayed his painting skills, specifically realism, inspired by nature.

Proceeds of the exhibit will be used for the construction of the Chapel of the Divine Mercy Home for the Abandoned Elderly in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City.

The facility is operated by Carmelite Missionaries where elderly people from St. Mary’s Home for the Aged that closed in 2022 will be accommodated.

“They were displaced, some of them were sent back to their families, some other institutions like in Victorias we have two more elderlies there that we have to take back,” Sister Sandy Telogio, Carmelita Missionary-Bacolod, said.

The Carmelite sisters have expressed their gratitude for Larry's kindheartedness because abandoned or neglected senior citizens have grown in number, left in hospitals, or out on the streets. 

“The OFW can really help us a lot. With their all-out support through financial assistance we can easily build the chapel for the Divine Mercy Home for Elderlies,” Ma. Corazon Locsin, a benefactor, said.

Larry has used his talent in helping the poor and the destitute, in gratitude to the Lord for the bountiful blessings he has received.

“As long as I can manage, as long as I have the means, as long as I can support, na makaya ko regardless of who you are, basta karapat-dapat tulungan, I will do it,” Larry conveyed.