Tracing My Roots

This internet thing has glued me unto my seat for hours. I have mixed feelings every time I chance upon the names or pictures of my relatives especially those who are closest to me. So , today, I am posting the first wave of those in my clan. I don't care what you think about this, but I just want them all in my own space.
On top of my list, of course, is my Dad, Ruben Peralta Blanco. I found this article from Ilocos Times. This was published when Dad succumbed to colon cancer on January 1, 2007.

A man for others IIby Steve Barreiro Ilocos Times, January 21, 2007 The late Hon. Ruben Peralta Blanco was laid to rest last Monday, January 15. His passing ends a career of public service that spanned several decades. Tio Ruben, as he was fondly referred to, fought against the evils of corruption and willful disregard of the law, often alone and against all odds. Like “a voice in the wilderness,” the immortal passage describing St. John the Baptist in many ways described Tio Ruben back in the days when he alone stood against the entrenched powers that be, fighting for what he believed was right and good for the city and the people. And like the Baptist, Tio Ruben may have been the herald of the new era when the people may have realized the righteousness of his crusade by voting in an “opposition” dominated majority into the city council. In hindsight, Tio Ruben was right about a lot of things. The exposes concerning the Laoag City Central Terminal, flood control project, and the “sanitary” landfill have vindicated the veracity of TIo Ruben’s crusade all these years. In many ways he was an unsung hero, his fight for the people’s welfare largely unrecognized by the very same public he had always fought for. And yet, despite his lonely battle against the powers that be, he was consistently voted unto the council; perhaps the people had recognized his worthiness after all. It is only fitting that tribute be paid to the man if not when he was alive than in death. I would oft talk to him at the council or at his office. While I sometimes questioned him for what I perceived as pettiness on certain issues, I have always admired the man for his unstinting commitment to the principle of law. What may not have been a big deal for me was always a matter of supreme importance to Tio  Ruben especially when it concerned even the slightest transgression against the law. To him to defend the law was of paramount importance for the law was the foundation of our society, the standard upon which our conduct and actions must be judged. I will remember him not as an “oppositionist” but as a good man. To be labeled “opposition” is a misnomer that I have always unsubscribed to. Tio is more apt to remember him as the fiscalizer; the man who consistently and continually fought for the welfare of our city and people against a corruptive and abusive system. A good man. -o0o- According to reliable sources, Conchita, the widow of the late Hon. Ruben Blanco, has been endorsed by the political powers that be as his replacement for the remainder of his term. Party affiliations and endorsements have already been worked out according to our source. “Manang Chita” is a gentle and extremely intelligent woman. Perhaps her appearance on the political stage will bring about a measure of peace and moderation to the strife ridden council. Councilor Ruben P. Blanco, 68 THE MAN widely known in Laoag as “The Fiscalizer” in the Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed away.  Blanco was 68 years old. Blanco started public service in 1964 as Barangay Captain, where he served until 1968 before he became a secretary to the city board from 1970-71. After his stint at the city board, he became a technical assistant to the city from 1971-73, where he served under the Office of the City Mayor. In 1988, Blanco tried his luck for an elective post as he ran for a seat in the council which he handily won. In 1992, he vied for the vice mayoralty post but lost. Blanco’s political career was revived in 1998 where he ran again for a council seat. From here he won three straight terms. He was serving out his final term when he died. In his political career, Blanco had always been an opposition to the Fariñases, starting from former Laoag Mayor Roger C. Fariñas and until the present Fariñas in office, incumbent Mayor Michael V. Fariñas. Blanco went on a sick leave on September last year as he was confined at the Veterans’ Hospital in Quezon City. After four months of stay in the hospital, Blanco celebrated Christmas with his family at the hospital. From here, they decided to come home to Laoag to celebrate the New Year, to which his attending physicians agreed. However on January 1 at around 8 in the morning, the veteran councilor succumbed to colon cancer after also suffering from a stroke. In an interview with Blanco’s wife, Conchita De Leon-Blanco, she said her husband had been very strong and a fighter in whatever he did. “I never regret that Ruben came into my life. Nagsayaat nga asawa, ama, lolo ken lider,” Mrs. Blanco said. The couple was supposed to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary on January 10. Unfortunately, the councilor did not make it to that date. Before he died, Mrs. Blanco told the councilor that they would celebrate their golden wedding anniversary even if it means pushing Blanco in a wheelchair to the altar. Interment had been scheduled on January 15. Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panlungsod secretary Enrico Aurelio expressed his deepest sympathy to the Blanco family as he described the late councilor as a good lawmaker and a principled fighter. “We need a city councilor like him. Ammu na nga ilaban iti pagtaktakderan na,” Aurelio said. The vacancy created by Blanco’s death at the council will be filled through an appointment of the governor. The replacement however should come from Blanco’s political party. The Laoag City mayor for his part also expressed his sympathy to the family but refused to comment on the possible replacement. “But if someone who would come into my office and ask for a recommendation, I will excuse myself and ask them for their indulgence. We also consult his family first baka adda met kayat da nga isukat,” Fariñas said. My Mom, Conchita de Leon Blanco, took Dad's position after Dad died. Here is a news article from Ilocos Times Online about Mom. February 11, 2007THE ILOCOS TIMES - TOP NEWS Blanco widow fills vacant city council seat delivers message of hope for Ilocanos THE WIDOW of the late Laoag City Councilor Ruben P. Blanco has been appointed by Ilocos Norte Governor Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fill the vacancy in the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Conchita De Leon-Blanco attended her first regular session on February 7 after taking her oath of office before the governor in the morning of the same day. Ms Blanco hails from the same Reporma Party of her late husband, paving the way for her to claim the council seat vacated by the late councilor. On her first regular session, Blanco thanked her colleagues for welcoming her warmly. “Ababa unay daytoy a tiempo but I have knowledge of the projects of my husband ta ammuk met no anat arapaap na and some of them are slowly taking shape in the horizon, they are coming into view and slowly being realized and I’m glad about that and I will always support these projects and I will try to continue these even with the very short span of time,” Blanco said. According to her, her appointment to the council was a decision made by all members of her family as they said she should come out of the shadow in order for her to continue the vision of her late husband for the people of Laoag with the support of her colleagues. Among the issues she would pursue include the salary increase of city government employees, something, she said, her husband had been dreaming of for a long time. She added that she would confer with her fellow councilors on the matter. Aside from inheriting her husband seat at the council, Blanco was also automatically named chairperson of the committee on market. With this chairmanship post, she said she believes she can tackle the job as she is often at the market being a housewife and she knows the real situation there. From the time of her appointment, Blanco may still attend 13 regular sessions before the May midterm elections, provided council sessions would be conducted regularly. In view of this, she is hopeful that her colleagues, especially those in the legal profession, would not be selfish in advising, guiding and enlightening her relative to legislative measures. Blanco has also paid a courtesy call to Laoag Mayor Michael V. Fariñas upon her appointment. As for the coming elections, Blanco stressed that she has no plans of further entering politics as she only wants to complete the unexpired term of her husband. “I have yet to prove myself no anat mabalin ko nga itulong nga maituloy kadagitay ar-arapaap ket plano daydi asawak,” she added. Aside from her and her late husband, one of their sons also serves as barangay chairman. The late councilor passed away on January 1 due to colon cancer. Blanco, more popularly known as “The Fiscalizer” of the council, began public service in 1964 as barangay captain and has served as city councilor for multiple terms. Next, is my Dad's father, Guillermo J. Blanco , a Filipino ichthyologist who graduated from the University of Washington, author of more than 67 books and journals, former Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries in the Philippines and a member of the American Men of Science. He was also a poet with the pseudonym "Billy White". I grew up under his care with Grandma Rosario Peralta Blanco ( an English teacher). For those who are into fisheries or ichthyology, you can download titles of my grandpa's publications from the Science and Technology Information Institute database.

Then, my Dad's grandfather ,( therefore, my great grandpa) Celestino Peralta ( Mayor, gobernadorcillo, author of Spanish books).

Next are my Dad's first cousins, Justice Diosdado Peralta ( son of Judge Elviro Peralta) and who was recently appointed by President Gloria Arroyo as the newest member of the Supreme Court; Renato Peralta ( a Board Member of Ilocos Norte).
Wait, someone just popped out on one site....Homer Blanco ( connected with Loyola Life plans and Prudential Life). Homer is my Dad's younger brother who almost became a priest . He was an orator-debater at Ateneo.
And here is another...my first cousin! Alistair Troy Blanco Lacsamana. Troy is the son of Aunt Conchita Blanco-Lacsamana ( Dad's eldest sister) Let me post some about Troy which I'm scooping out from different sites.

Librarian Among Top 5 Volunteers

A librarian was chosen recently as one of the 2005 Top 5 HSBC Faces of Volunteerism by Hands On Manila, which desires "to seek and salute those who take time out to help others without expectation or fanfare." Alistair Troy Lacsamana (BLIS 1995), project coordinator of Aklatang Pambata, was cited for "his vision and perseverance to create a library and reading center in Quezon City that is accessible to all children."Lacsamana works full time at the UP College of Engineering Library, but spends the rest of his time at Aklatang Pambata, which is based in Paltok, Quezon City. He did not keep the P20,000 cash prize that went with the award, but spent it on—what else?— Aklatang Pambata. If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please visit their website. Alistair Troy Blanco Lacsamana is the Executive Director of Aklatang Pambata

I gotta pause now and grab some food. I will post more kin's names ( just those really close to me) tomorrow.