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
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