Josefa Ballesteros Blanco

Josefa "Epay" or "Eppie" Blanco, nee Pidlaoan Ballesteros, who passed away December 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, cherished her connections with others her entire life. Beginning from her childhood, Epay was surrounded by community rich with immediate family and friends. The youngest child of Alberto Frias Ballesteros and Juana de Guzman Pidlaoan, Epay's life was greatly impacted by her relationships and influence of her older sisters, Alejandra "Anday" Galpao, Teodora "Diray" Ablahin, and Felicisima "Mimay" Carino. Sadly, she did not have many memories of her older brothers Marciano, who died in World War II, Deogracias, or Sixto, who both died as small children. Epay enjoyed close friendships with her cousins and classmates as she grew up in Urbiztondo. She loved dancing-particularly the tango, and she enjoyed cooking-particularly lumpia. In 1955, Epay married Juan "Berto" Rayray Blanco, deceased, of Urdaneta, Pangasinan, Philippines. Their marriage brought even more society connections as Juan's career as a tax lawyer in Baguio, Benguet, Philippines, progressed over the next several decades. Epay is survived by five of her six children: Abraham "Bobot" Blanco, deceased, Andrew Blanco, Alexander Blanco, Juan Blanco Jr., Josephine "Josie" Joven nee Blanco, and Victor Ferdinand Blanco. She also leaves behind 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
As a devout Catholic, Epay also served many in the role of godmother and was active in all the parish communities she lived in during her adult life in Baguio and continued after immigrating to the United States in 1987. While in the States, Epay enjoyed traveling to visit her children, friends, and extended family who had spread across the country, seeing the sights, and winning bit at 5 o'clock bingo. In her quiet moments, she could be found playing solitaire or reflecting on mementos sent for her album over the years.