THE late Rep. Ivan James “Jimbo” Alafanso Blanco was a beloved person in all of Micronesia.
This was the common theme of all those who spoke to honor his memory during a state funeral at the multi-purpose center on Thursday morning.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Federated States of Micronesia Consul General Teresa M. Filepin and ACH Chuuk-CNMI Association President Own Cholymay gave emotional speeches.
Also joining the Blanco family at the state funeral were the rest of the officials of the executive, legislative and the judicial branches of the CNMI government as well as municipal government leaders, business community members, representatives from Guam, the Association of Pacific Islands Legislatures, Japan Consul Kazuhiko Ono and Honorary Philippine Consul Eli Arago.
Rep. Angel Demapan read the messages of condolences from FSM President David W. Panuelo, Chuuk Gov. Alexander Narruhn and Pohnpei Gov. Reed Oliver.
Demapan said, “As we combed through these messages, it was clear just how much Leader Blanco was loved and regarded for the person that he was.” The 44-year-old Blanco was the Republican leader of the House of Representatives.
Demapan said Blanco “committed himself to a life of service to the people and lands he so dearly loved. As a proud son of the Commonwealth and the FSM State of Chuuk, the Marianas and Micronesia were at the center of his career and his life’s mission.”
In his remarks, Governor Torres said Blanco “was a man of Micronesia,” and “of many beautiful things.”
He was a loving husband who cared deeply for his wife Carmen, the governor added.
“He was a dedicated father to his children, Lilly, Pierre, JC, Kide and Paige, sharing photos…of Paige at the farm, Kide spending time with his grandpa, and bragging to the world about the pride he had in Lilly’s successes in college, and JC’s growth at Xavier High School. A true testament to his love as a father was how he, Carmen, and the entire family cared for and showered with love their late son, Pierre. This care drove Ivan to his quiet yet committed work toward advocating for those with disabilities, and his leadership within the Commonwealth Developmental Disabilities Council. He cared for his family… and his kind, strong, and loving children are a lasting testament to his and Carmen’s parenting. He was a man of Micronesia.”
The governor said whether it was the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Chuuk, Pohnpei, or Palau, “Ivan was a beloved 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.”
“While we all may never fully repair the pain caused by his loss,” the governor said, “we can all do our small part to filling the emptiness he left behind. We can all do our part to love our children and our neighbors like he did. We can take on the task of advocating for those in need. We can do our part to be a better citizen of our region and free ourselves from prejudice to have an open heart for all that call the Pacific their home. We can all take on the responsibility of serving our community with humility and compassion.”
“The world and our islands were a better place with Ivan in it. We must take on the challenge of striving to be better people. To be kind to one another. To reach across divides. To do what we can to help those around us,” the governor added.
Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said Blanco “was one of the most down-to-earth and good-natured individuals I’ve been blessed to know.”
“His willingness to work with others, his tact, his contagious good nature, and his wit and good humor, made him a pleasure to work with. This man was going to go as far as he wanted to go, and what was special about Representative Blanco was he wanted to go only where he thought he could best help the people and best contribute to this community. He was what I wish and I hope we all want our public servants to be,” Palacios said.
Congressman Kilili said although he did not have the opportunity to work with Blanco like the rest of the CNMI officials, “I know one thing about Ivan. He was a very respectful person. Every time we met throughout the years, he would call me uncle and he called [my wife] Andrea auntie.”
Blanco, 44, passed away on July 23, 2021.
Today, Friday, Aug. 6, at 9 a.m., a public viewing will take place at Mount Carmel Cathedral. The Mass of Christian Burial will start at 11 a.m.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, left background, delivers his remarks, during the state funeral of Rep. Ivan A. Blanco at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Thursday morning.
Department of Lands and Natural Resources special assistant to the secretary, Gus Kaipat, sings the national anthem as the color guard stand at attention.
Rep. Ivan Blanco’s widow, Carmen Sablan, right, and their children.
CNMI officials and other dignitaries attend the state funeral.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres
Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios
Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider
Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez
Senate Floor Leader and Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation Chairman Vinnie F. Sablan
U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan
U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan looks on as his wife Andrea embraces Rep. Ivan Blanco’s widow, Carmen Sablan. Kilili also handed a framed tribute to the late lawmaker’s family.
Federated States of Micronesia Consul General Teresa M. Filepin
ACH Chuuk-CNMI Association President Own Cholymay
Rep. Angel Demapan
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios present a state wreath to the family of Rep. Ivan Blanco. Also in the photo is first lady Diann T. Torres, center.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios present the executive branch’s tribute to the family of Rep. Ivan Blanco.
Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider and Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez present a legislative tribute to the family of Rep. Ivan Blanco.
Rep. Ivan Blanco’s father, Diego C. Blanco.
Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan pays his respects to Rep. Ivan Blanco’s mother, Rosalinda Mori.
Rep. Joel Camacho cries on the shoulder of Rep. Ivan Blanco’s father, Diego.
The officials of the judiciary present their tribute to the family of Rep. Ivan Blanco.
Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan presents a tribute to the family of Rep. Ivan Blanco.
Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig presents a tribute to the family of Rep. Ivan Blanco.
The color guard march out of the multi-purpose center at the conclusion of the state funeral.
