State funeral honors Blanco

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres delivers his eulogy during yesterday’s state funeral for late representative Ivan James Blanco at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Representatives of the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Japan, and the Philippines joined the CNMI at the state funeral to pay tribute to the life and services of the late lawmaker Ivan James Alafanso Blanco at the Governor Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday morning.

Blanco, 45, passed away last July 23 of massive pulmonary embolism. He was a member of the 20th, 21st, and 22nd CNMI legislatures.

Several officials, including Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I Palacios, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), Senate President Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian), and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), delivered salutation remarks and eulogies that spoke of Blanco—popularly known as Jimbo—as a great friend, an honorable public servant, a wonderful dad and husband, and a true son of the Marianas and Micronesia.

“We will miss our friend and colleague, and this pain of loss is overshadowed by the deep sense of emptiness left in his absence,” Torres said.

Torres said that in all his trips with Blanco to the neighboring islands in the Pacific, Blanco was greeted as a dignitary and a friend. Whether it was the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, or Palau, Blanco was a loved figure across the region. “This was not because of any title or position, but because of who he was. He understood our islands and our people. He was humble, kind, and had a sense of humor that put others at ease,” the governor said.

Torres said Blanco believed in bringing people together, and did so regularly, across ethnic communities, interest groups, and political affiliations. “He did so because he wanted to be a productive part of bringing these islands to a better future,” the governor said.

Lt. Gov. Palacios said Blanco’s legacy is that of service, of kindness, of caring, of humanity, and of responsibility. Palacios said Blanco was one of the most down-to-Earth and good-natured individuals he’s been blessed to know. “His willingness to work with others, his tact, his contagious good nature, and his witty good humor, made him a pleasure to work with,” Palacios said.

He said Blanco was a staunch advocate for education, and more specifically, education, upward mobility, and a better standard of living for the islands’ young people.

While Blanco was a strong advocate for the Commonwealth, he never lost his Pacific-Island roots, Palacios said.

“Such great loss is never really healed by the passing of time, but we must carry one. This is what Congressman Blanco would insist on and want us to do… to keep up the good work,” he added.

In his eulogy, Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) said the CNMI has lost a great leader, an astounding visionary, and a brilliant man, and that the news of Blanco’s sudden and untimely passing came with a deep pain that people still feel to this day.

“In the past decade and a half, Jimbo, as he was affectionately known, committed himself to a life of service to the people and lands he so dearly loved,” he said.

The lawmaker said as a proud son of the Commonwealth and the FSM State of Chuuk, the Marianas and Micronesia were at the center of Blanco’s career and his life’s mission.

Demapan related that, upon hearing of the passing of Blanco, messages of condolences from all over the world began pouring in. He said FSM President David W. Panuelo wrote that Blanco was well known throughout Micronesia and a great mentor to the youth of the region.

Demapan said Chuuk Gov. Alexander Narruhn said Blanco inspired generations of young Chuukese to strive for excellence and to serve their communities.

He said Pohnpei Gov. Reed Oliver stated Blanco shall be remembered as a friend of Pohnpei and that his collaboration to achieve solutions for all island communities across Micronesia will forever be remembered and honored.

Demapan said people are truly blessed to be witnesses to the work and life of such an astounding servant leader.

“We are even more blessed to have shared our lives with the amazing and humorous person that he was. His smile was infectious. His voice was gentle. And his heart was gold,” Demapan said.

Others who also delivered remarks were Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation chair Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan), FSM consul general Teresa M. Filepin, and Ach Chuuk-CNMI Association president Own Cholymay.

Torres and Palacios presented the CNMI State of Wreath to Blanco’s family—wife Carmen Sablan Blanco, their children Lilly, Ivan Jr., Kideichy, and Page. His parents, Diego Blanco and Alin Alafanso, were also present.

Others that presented tributes were the CNMI Judiciary; mayors of Saipan, Tinian, Rota and the Northern Islands; municipal councils of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota; Office of the Governor of Guam; Association of Pacific Island Legislatures; Consulate General of Japan; CNMI Youth Congress; CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities; Ach Chuuk-CNMI Association; CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources; and Saipan Agricultural Fair Association.

A funeral Mass will be held for Blanco today, Friday, at Mount Carmel Cathedral from 9am to 10:30am and a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am.