Leticia Rosas

A woman who from the beginning had been a willing and interested trainee, and who had become an expert weaver, had also been the cooperative’s committed president for more than a decade.  She has grown together with the TLW-MPCI.  It was largely through her efforts that the organization closed deals and joined trade exhibits.   To most of the weavers and friends, she is simply their  “Ka Letty.” 

Mrs. Leticia Rosas or Ka Letty, who hails from Barrio Malinao, does not see herself as a businesswoman but a dedicated housewife trying her best to provide for her family. Before becoming a weaver, Ka Letty used to sell fresh shrimps at a market in her barrio.  She also cooked food which she brought and sold to a nearby school.  On good days this gave her earnings of P70 to P90 a day, augmenting the income of her security guard husband. Ka Letty also worked in their barangay where she assisted in the town’s health program. She was in charge of monitoring the weight of children under the care of the barangay and determining those considered undernourished.  This entitled her to a P300 per month allowance. She was relieved, however, from this job when a new barangay captain was elected.  With three children to feed and care for, their combined income barely met the family’s needs.  Although it afforded them with three square meals a day, the quality of the meals was sacrificed. “Ulam na po namin ang dalawang pisong bagoong,” revealed Ka Letty.  At times they had burnt   corn or burnt rice as a substitute for coffee.  During school events she usually borrowed dresses and other needs of her children from friends and relatives.