Coffee table book on ikat weaving launched

TUBLAY, Benguet – At the culmination of the World Ikat Textiles Symposium (WITS) on Dec. 6, the family and friends of the late Narda Capuyan, gathered at the family property at the Winaca Eco-Cultural Village here to celebrate the life and achievements of the woman one who helped popularize the indigenous form of Philippine weaving to the international fashion scene.
Led by her husband, Wilson, their children Lucia and Bernard, their grandchildren, and relatives, the gathering saw the launching of the coffee table book, “Narda” From Nursing To Weaving My Dreams”, that contained Narda’s beginning as a nurse until she shifted into weaving the ikat — a career that also helped bring livelihood to thousands of women, especially those from Benguet.
Lucia said, by publishing the book, they hope more people will come to love and practice weaving as both a craft and a form of livelihood.
“We have come full circle”, Lucia said as she recalled the years and efforts it took to produce the book.
One of the authors, Babeth Lolarga said it was not easy to “weave” the topics as this had to be done online on different time zones with her co-authors Cynthia Diaz and Erlyn Ruth Alcantara.
Dr. Raymundo Rovillos, former co-chair of the Baguio City Creative Council Inc. (BACCI) only have praises for the late Narda.
He said Narda remained to be the gold standard in creativity. “She is the standard of possibilities. She is one of the reasons why Baguio became a creative city”, Rovillos said.
Narda did more than popularize ikat weaving. She helped erase the prejudice against indigenous peoples.
Former Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, one of the pioneer clients of Narda, said at a time when ethnic prejudice against Igorots was at its height, Narda helped convey indigenous customs through ikat weaving — an indigenous art dating to as far back as the pre-colonial times.
“At a time when discrimination against indigenous peoples was strong, it was Narda who stood up. What she did was to enhance our cultural identity… I am sure the book will help our young people learn more about cultural heritage”, Domogan said.
Vice Governor Ericson “Tagel” Felipe, who gave his welcome remarks during the event thanked the Capuyans for acquiring the property where the Winaca is now located.
Felipe said the area where the famous Narda’s Weaving is also made, would have turned into a commercial area if not for the creative minds of the Capuyans.
Felipe wore a Narda’s creation during the event.
By publishing a coffee table book, Felipe said generations will learn and remember the contribution of Narda and the Capuyan family in the preservation of cultural heritage.
“Her life was short but it impacted many”, Felipe said.
The book will be available in bookstores in January 2025. It will also be distributed in all libraries across the Cordillera.
The WITS ended with the signing of “Baguio declaration”, which aims to sustain the city as Unesco creative city and to make arts and crafts a sustainable form of livelihood.
BACCI Co-Chair Marie Venus Tan said with Baguio as host and pioneer host of the WITS, she hopes that symposium will continue for many years.
Next year’s host will be Khon Khaen Province, the commercial and political center of Northeastern Thailand, known for its Matmi silk textile. **