Baguio execs honor weave icon Narda in resolution

BAGUIO CITY – In behalf of the city, the city council through a resolution, expressed sympathies and condolences to the family of Cordilleran weaving icon Leonarda Olat-Capuyan, who passed March 11 at the age of 73.

Capuyan, an epitome of a modern hard-working Filipina, learned Ikat weaving from her mother. Working later as a family planning nurse, she advocated weaving for women as an economic enterprise and as alternative to family planning, and as economic enterprise. Her materials then were recycled acrylic yarn.

Ikat, a traditional and intricate art of hand-tying and dyeing thread then weaving into various patterns, was then turned into a family business for the Capuyans. Established in 1972 the Narda’s Handwoven Arts and Crafts in La Trinidad, Benguet, turned out woven cloth and accessories. Tapestries, shawl and scarves, traditional clothing, blouses, neckties were also produced, each with unique colors and style.          

Her works were exported and displayed in Asia and other places, among them Bloomingdales in New York, USA.

She became a director of the La Trinidad Water District representing the business sector, professionals and labor force. She was also member of the Baguio Centennial Commission and Baguio Museum.

In 1982, she was awarded the Golden Shell Award, given by the Department of Trade and Industry to Filipino companies for Excellence in Exports. Other recognitions are: Country Side Investor Award and the Agora Award for outstanding achievement in export marketing by the Philippine Marketing Association. Last year, she was among the sixteen (16) extraordinary women entrepreneurs for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation countries (APEC).

In the resolution accorded her by the city council, it stated that “her dedication and selfless nature was always something that many others could only hope to attain and all who  knew her regarded her with great respect and admiration.”

She is a “woman who stood for her principles…a sterling inspiration indeed for similarly situation families who struggle to achieve dreams of a highly serving and meaningful life,” the resolution also states.

Capuyan was buried March 15, at the family home in Acop, Tublay, Benguet.

The resolution will be presented to the family in simple ceremonies. –Julie G. Fianza