Bulacan’s queen of pastillas wrapper passes away
Luz Ocampo, 93, shows off some of her favorite designs of “pastillas” wrappers, all of which are patented in her name. RON LOPEZ/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON
CITY OF MALOLOS, Philippines — Bulacan’s queen of pastillas wrappers has passed away.
Luz “Nene” Ocampo, the last known artisan who made intricate paper cut designs for pastillas wrappers, died from a lingering ailment on Sunday night, Feb. 21, at her home here. She was 93.
Her body lies at their house in Barangay Caniogan.
READ: Meet the real ‘Pastillas (Wrapper) Girl’
Ocampo was born and raised in San Miguel town, where the famous San Miguel de Mayumo sweet carabao milk candy, known as pastillas, was manufactured.
Article continues after this advertisementShe was a grade V pupil when she was first taught the art of producing traditional pastillas wrappers.
Article continues after this advertisementOver the years, she passed her craft to deserving artists, who followed in her footsteps.
The craft has designs for every occasion. If the pastillas is meant for a wedding, the wrappers carry the engraved names of the couple, for example.
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