(CNN Philippines) — After three months in a coma, Lang Dulay, a T’boli princess declared as a national living treasure died. She was 91.
Her death was confirmed by her granddaughter, Marilyn Dulay through a text message to CNN Philippines’ Kidapawan City string correspondent Abner Francisco.
The highly-respected T’boli princess died at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday (April 30).
In a statement released Thursday, Marilyn expressed her gratitude to Filipinos who condoled with their family.
She added that, though her grandmother had already died, her works and cultural contributions to the country would live on.
Lang Dulay was declared as a national living treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 1998.
Known as the dream weaver, she is famous for her T’nalak weavings — a cloth made from abaca fiber.
Her designs, she explained, came from her dreams.
“Sa kanyang kakayahan at kahusayan sa paghahabi ng T’nalak siya ay nakilala at binigyan ng pagkakataon na magsilbi sa sambayanang Pilipino sa loob ng labing pitong taon bilang isang manlilikha ng bayan,” Marilyn said.
[Translation: “Her ability and expertise in T’nalak gave her the opportunity to serve the country for 17 years as a national living treasure.”]
“Kaya lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa Maykapal na siyang pinanggalingan ng lahat ng biyayang natamasa at maging sa ating pamahalaan (NCCA) na siyang patuloy na tumutulong at sumusuporta sa larangan ng sining at kultura.”
[Translation: “That is why we are grateful to God, where all blessings came from, and to the government (NCCA) which continuously supports arts and culture.”]
The NCCA also honored the T’boli princess.
On Facebook, the NCCA said: “Through her weaving, Lang Dulay did what she could to keep her people’s tradition alive.
“Images from the distant past of her people, the T’bolis, were recreated by her nimble hands – the crocodiles, butterflies and flowers, along with mountains and streams, of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, where she and her ancestors were born – fill the fabric with their longing to be remembered.”
In 2014, Lang Dulay had a mild stroke. The NCCA along with the local government unit of Lake Sebu provided financial assistance for her medication but it was not enough to sustain her medical needs. In the end, the expenses forced her family to bring her home.
She went into a coma last January.
Related: T’boli princess in a coma
CNN Philippines’ string correspondent Abner Francisco contributed to this report.
