Ping-ay Family
| Ping-ay Family Pamilya Ping-ay | |
|---|---|
| Political family | |
 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Current region | Ilocos Region |
| Place of origin | Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur |
| Titles | Legislators, Municipal Executives, Barangay Officials, Engineers, Cooperative Movement Leaders, Entrepreneurs |
| Traditions | Public service, rural and cooperative development |
| Estate(s) | Santa Cruz and surrounding municipalities |
The Ping-ay family is a notable political and civic family originating from Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. The patriarch, Jose R. Ping-ay, served in various government and cooperative leadership roles. Subsequent generations continued public service and business contributions in local governance, infrastructure, and cooperatives.
Notable members
[edit]- Hon. Jose R. Ping-ay (1950–2020) – Civil engineer and proprietor of JRP Construction and José R. Ping-ay Agri-Trading. Served as Coop-NATCCO Party-list Representative in the 14th and 15th Congress (2009–2013), Vice Mayor of Santa Cruz (2001–2004), and Provincial Board Member of Ilocos Sur (1995–1998). He was also Chairperson of NATCCO, founder-chair of the Ilocos Sur Cooperative Bank, and chair of SACDECO and NORLUCEDEC.[1][2]
- Engr. Waldimar “Niño” B. Ping-ay – Three-term Municipal Councilor (Sangguniang Bayan) of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur (2010–2019). Former SK Chair and Barangay Kagawad of Brgy. Suyo. Married to Engr. Elizabeth Angelita P. Ping-ay.[3]
- Engr. Elizabeth Angelita P. Ping-ay – Civil engineer and proprietor of Waldy Construction. Active in both public and private infrastructure projects in Ilocos Sur.[3]
- Victoria Bustillos Ping-ay – Former Barangay Captain and Barangay Kagawad of Brgy. Suyo, Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur. Spouse of Jose R. Ping-ay and mother of Waldimar, Ridam, and Jose Jr.[3]
- Ridam Ping-ay – Former Barangay Captain of Brgy. Suyo (2014–2018), Barangay Kagawad, and SK Chairman. Younger brother of Waldimar.[3]
- Jose Ping-ay Jr. – Former Barangay Captain and Barangay Kagawad of Brgy. Paringao, Bauang, La Union. Proprietor of Ayat Production, an event organizing and creative services business.[3]
- Brigadier General Jesus Jeffrey F. Grapa – Son-in-law of Jose R. Ping-ay, husband of Lorelie Ping-ay Grapa. He is a senior officer in the Philippine Army, currently serving as the Deputy Commander of the Army Support Command (ASCOM). He holds the rank of Brigadier Generalin the Philippine Army.[6][circular reference]
- Rosario Ping-ay Reyes – Director of SACDECO
Legacy and influence
[edit]The Ping-ay family's legacy is rooted in a strong commitment to public service, rural development, and grassroots empowerment across Ilocos Sur and nearby provinces.
At the forefront of this legacy is Hon. Jose R. Ping-ay, whose leadership as Congressman, Vice Mayor, and Cooperative Bank Chair helped institutionalize support for microfinance, small enterprise development, and agricultural cooperatives. He was instrumental in transforming the Sta. Cruz Savings and Development Cooperative (SACDECO) into one of Northern Luzon's most successful cooperatives, and he helped steer NATCCO (National Confederation of Cooperatives) into reaching its first billion pesos in assets during his term as chair. His vision connected the cooperative sector with legislative action and financial innovation.
His wife Victoria Bustillos Ping-ay and sons Waldimar, Ridam, and Jose Jr. continued this legacy at the barangay and municipal levels by serving in various elected positions in Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, and Bauang, La Union. They helped facilitate local programs on education, disaster preparedness, youth leadership, and community health.
The family's influence also extends into the engineering and construction sectors through Waldy Construction (owned by Engr. Elizabeth Angelita Ping-ay) contributed to local infrastructure—rural roads, water systems, and public buildings—that directly improved access and mobility in underserved communities. Ayat Production, which supports cultural and civic events. These enterprises helped bridge private innovation and public service delivery, particularly in far-flung areas.
In the military sector, Brigadier General Jesus Jeffrey F. Grapa, son-in-law of Jose R. Ping-ay, adds distinction to the family name through national service in the Philippine Army. His work in logistics, ordnance, and command contributes to the nation's defense readiness and capacity building in military infrastructure.
Meanwhile, members like Veejay Ping-ay and Rosario Ping-ay Reyes have led cooperatives at the board level, notably SACDECO and NORLUCEDEC, ensuring continuity of the family's long-standing cooperative advocacy.
Collectively, the Ping-ay family represents a blend of technocratic governance, people-centered development, and cross-sector leadership. Their influence spans local, regional, and national levels, touching lives through both policy and practice. The family continues to be a pillar of service and leadership in Northern Luzon.
See also
[edit]- Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur
- Coop-NATCCO
- National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)
- Ilocos Sur Cooperative Bank
- Political families in the Philippines