AS part of its 37th anniversary celebration, Panay News held “Oplan Nagasinultero” and “Oplan Pagwapo” at Aganan-Ungka Elementary School in Pavia, Iloilo on March 25.
Its corporate social responsibility arm, Daniel G. Fajardo Foundation, Inc., and various local partners facilitated free haircuts to pupils through “Oplan Pagwapo” and free circumcision services to nearly 50 young boys with “Oplan Nagasinultero,” as well as provided medicine under its “Fit for Life” program.
“We’d like to thank everyone for making this medical mission possible,” Panay News General Manager Caryl Espada said. “The foundation was established six years ago in honor of our founders Mr. Danny and Maria Fajardo, a truly generous couple who have a special place for children – the main beneficiaries of our programs and missions – in their hearts.”
“Panay News, being a company based in Pavia, we’ve always chosen to prioritize our fellow Pavianhons, and offer our services to the town’s many schools,” she added.
Head Teacher III Liza Celeste of Aganan-Ungka Elementary School thanked Panay News for its efforts and generosity. She said nearly 65 percent of their pupils come from underprivileged families.
“I’m happy seeing people helping one another to pursue this mission and give valuable services to our disadvantaged pupils,” said Celeste. “Daku gid ni sia nga bulig. I’ve seen that most of our pupils come from hard-up families. The fathers of most of them are contractual laborers while their mothers are simple housewives so gipit gid ang earnings of their households.”
Celeste hopes more medical missions come to their school, saying they have more pupils who can benefit from such program.
“We wish more power to Panay News as it celebrates its 37th anniversary,” said Celeste. “I hope more schools and more pupils and more parents pa ang mabuligan ninyo.”
Meanwhile the “Fit for Life” event opened with a Zumba dance exercise led by instructor Dominic Rovero and student Jairus Palomaria of the West Visayas State University College of PESCAR (Physical Education, Sports, Culture, Arts, and Recreation). After which, Panay News turned over a dozen trash cans to Celeste as a donation to Aganan-Ungka Elementary School, before “Oplan Nagasinultero” and “Oplan Pagwapo” kicked into high gear.
Panay News’ “Fit for Life” medical mission was made possible through partnerships with Fiesta Souvenir T-Shirts, Sari-Sari Breadstore, Everpure Drinking Water, Al Dente Ristorante Italiano, Tau Gamma Phi, Armed Forces of the Philippines (they led “Oplan Pagwapo”), Fremont Renal Care and Medical Clinic and its volunteer doctors and nurses led by Dr. Blanche Garcia and Atty. Jun Borres, MS Panay Distributors, Inc., and Gardenia.
“Na-witness gid namun ang eagerness sang Panay News to serve,” Borres said of the strong partnership between the No. 1 regional newspaper and Fremont, which has been helping in the company’s outreach programs for the past six years. “We have this common goal and mission – seeking social responsibility.”
“We laud Panay News’ initiative to serve the people. Congratulations on your 37th anniversary! Nakita ko gid nga gadaku nga gadaku ang Panay News,” said Borres. (Photos by Ian Paul Cordero and Thirdy Belicena/PN)
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A version of this article first appeared on page B33 of the 37th Anniversary Special issue on April 6, 2018.
