SAN JOSE, Antique – “Defender of press freedom.” This was how the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Antique remembered Panay News founder Daniel “Danny” G. Fajardo.
In a resolution paying tribute to Fajardo, who passed away on Sept. 10, 2018 at the age of 72, the SP also recognized Fajardo as a “pillar of journalism” in Western Visayas.
“Manong Danny, as he was popularly known to peers and fellow journalists, founded Panay News in 1981…and was also the host of one of the longest-running public affairs shows in Region 6, Reklamo Publiko,” read part of the resolution passed on Sept. 13 during the SP’s 32nd regular session.
From being a weekly newspaper, Fajardo steered Panay News to become the biggest daily in the Visayas.
“Because of his authority as a well-respected member of the Press, he was able to unite the Iloilo Press and Radio Club during the latter’s trying and challenging years,” according to the SP.
Fajardo was a prime exponent of a strong regional media industry. During his active days as a member of the Fourth Estate, he headed the oldest press club in the Philippines, the Iloilo Press Club.
He also served as executive vice president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines.
“The province of Antique joins the entire Ilonggo community in expressing heartfelt and sincere condolences to the bereaved (Fajardo) family,” the SP resolution read, noting that Fajardo was married to an Antiqueña, Maria Santillan.
The SP also SP cited Fajardo’s stint as chief executive officer of the National Book Development Board; commissioner of the Commision on the Filipino Language; director of the Media Division of the Commission on Culture and the Arts; and as Philippine media delegate to the United Nations’ 50th anniversary.
Fajardo was an alumnus of Central Philippine University and Silliman University, Dumaguete City where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
He also took a special course on Para Legal Studies at the Manila Times School of Journalism.
The SP’s 32nd regular session was temporarily presided by Provincial Board member Fernando Corvera Sr. Vice Gov. Edgar Denosta was on official business trip.
Present were SP members Rony Molina, Vincent Piccio III, Rosie Dimamay, Egidio Elio, Joseph Eugene Alojipan, Santiago Lotilla, Errol Santillan, Pio Jessielito Sumande Sr., Juris Juanitez, Julius Cezar Tajanlangit, Pamela Socorro Azucena, and Mark Canja./PN
