He is the first Philippine-born composer to receive a Copland House Residency Award, and be commissioned by Grammy-winner Los Angeles Master Chorale. He is also the first Filipino-American artist to be featured as Musical America Worldwide's Artist of the Month, and winner of The American Prize, Professional Division. His works have been performed in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Alcala’s awards include the POLYPHONOS Young Composer Award from The Esoterics (Seattle, WA), a C4 commission (New York, NY), the Asian Composers League Young Composer Award (Israel), and two Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honor) from two Philippine Presidents. His commissions include the National Music Competition for Young Artists; Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival; Korean Ministry of Culture; Asia-Europe Foundation; Manila Symphony Orchestra, among others. He was composer-in-residence of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and a Billy Joel Fellow at Syracuse University.