Sports community lost a great supporter

Northern Marianas Athletics president Ramon Tebuteb leads a moment of silence at the start of Track and Field Open Meet last Friday at the Oleai Sports Complex. (Contributed photo)

The untimely passing of Rep. Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan) didn’t only rob the CNMI of a great statesman and one of the rising stars of the local Republican Party, it also orphaned many sports organizations that always run to the Precinct 3 lawmaker for help.

Northern Marianas Athletics president Ramon Tebuteb, a former lawmaker himself, said Blanco will be missed by the federation as he was one of its biggest supporters.

“He was a vibrant supporter of NMA activities. Rep. Blanco does not hesitate to extend his commitment to our youth, our sports, our community. His presence at our events will be missed. NMA extend its condolence and prayers to his loved ones.”

To honor Blanco’s memory, NMA held a moment of silence at the start of Track and Field Open Meet last Friday at the Oleai Sports Complex.

“NMA is not all about competitions. A moment of silence that served as a tribute for NMA’s friend prior to our event last Friday is more than proper. Respect is our norm,” said Tebuteb.

In behalf of the traditional canoe federation, Blanco’s passing is a tremendous loss as he has been a member of the group even before he became a lawmaker “through familial” relations, according to Tebuteb, who is one of the group’s founders.

Blanco is also a known fisherman and in fact along with captain Gary Sword, Rep. Ralph Yumul (R-Saipan), Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig, and his son, Ivan Jr., won the yellowfin category of the 37th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament.

“We are still in shock and disbelief that our brother has left us. Over social media there is a wave of grief, mixed with something akin to despair, which swept over our mixed community at the news of Ivan Blanco’s passing. I would describe Ivan as a ‘friend to the friendless.’ He took anybody and everybody at face value and was ready to be lifetime friends. His love, care, and friendship transcended politics, political parties, race, social status, and many of the divisive issues that tear apart a community,” said Sword.

He added how Blanco was loved by everyone was attested by how many people—not only friends and family—flocked to the Commonwealth Health Center upon news of his passing came out.

“We all witnessed our CNMI legislators crying openly together on Friday. No party lines, no politics, just human beings grieving for a brother. That’s how Ivan lived, loved, and laughed. He loved everyone and everyone loved him. His life is reminiscent of President JFK’s quote ‘Let us not emphasize all on which we differ but all we have in common. Let us consider not what we fear separately but what we share together.’ Ivan will be greatly missed by all in our community with many of us mourning his passing, but I challenge our community to continue his legacy: One love, one Pacific!” added Sword.

During the awards ceremony of the aforementioned fishing derby, emcee and Saipan Fishermen’s Association member Curtis Dancoe led a moment of silence for fishermen that have lost their lives. Not even two weeks later, one of their own peskadots succumbed to what police say was “sudden-death syndrome.”

“So unexpected on his passing. He was so proud of his first place accomplishment winning the yellow fin tuna category he was so happy and you can tell his heart was filled with joy. We were so fortunate to have shared in his moment of happiness,” he said.

Rollers Basketball Club founder Joe Diaz said Blanco was an avid supporter of the sport and never turned him down when he came asking to sponsor trophies, medals, or jerseys.
“He was a great community servant and great for the youth. He supported our programs in the NMI Rollers Basketball Club. He was easy to work with and it’s a big loss for us especially our youth who are coming up with programs. He sponsored a lot of our events along with his colleagues in the House of Representatives. I’m just very shocked that he left us early. I’m just very shocked up until now that he’s gone,” he said.