Panata. A Filipino word meaning devotion or vow.
For nearly two decades, it became a ‘panata’ for the Daniel G. Fajardo Foundation, Inc. (DGFFI) and Panay News, Inc. to do their part in spreading the Christmas spirit through a gift-giving activity.
On Dec. 1 and 2, more than 600 children in Pavia, Iloilo received gift packs from DGFFI and Panay News. Christmas came early to 10 Child Development Centers (CDCs) in barangays Pandac, Balabag, Amparo, Pal-agon, Mali-ao, Cabugao Norte, Tigum, Pagsanga-an, Ungka 1, and Ungka 2.
Aside from gift packs, there are surprise games and fun activities that brought smiles to everyone.
Panay News, the No. 1 regional newspaper in Western Visayas, always wants to be an agent of positive social change, and this Christmas season, it also hopes to touch people’s hearts, especially the young.
The Panay News team is headed by Pavia Sangguniang Bayan member Daniel “Dan” S. Fajardo II, Chief Operating Officer, together with General Manager Caryl Espada and Marketing Manager Leah Lyn Fajardo.
“Nagapati kami nga importante gid ang aton education, ilabi na gid sa aton mga kabataan nga lamharon pa lang, kay dyan gid naga-umpisa ang anda nga paghibalo,” said Fajardo.
The annual gift-giving activity is always meaningful for Fajardo who believes that every child deserves to be cared for and loved. He also holds education with great importance.
Brgy. Balabag
Brgy. Cabugao Norte
Brgy. Mali-ao
Meanwhile, Barangay Captain Noel Groy of Pal-agon expressed similar sentiments on the importance of children having the tools needed for quality education.
Brgy. Pagasanga-an
Brgy. Pal-agon
Brgy. Pandac
Brgy. Tigum
“Nagapasalamat gid kami sa Panay News kag kay SB Dan Fajardo kag sa ana mga staff sa temprano nga paghatag sang gift giving sa Day Care kay kinahanglan gid nanda ini sa ila pag-eskwela,” he said.
Child development worker Isabel Joy Himatay of Brgy. Tigum CDC is beyond thankful to be able to see genuine smiles from the children again.
Brgy. Ungka I
Brgy. Ungka II
“Natapos ang pandemic, nakita naman naton ang smile sa itsura sa aton kabataan at the same sa parents kag sa inyo… salamat gid sa pagdumdom,” said Himatay.
COVID-19 is no easier for an adult either, like for Anna Rose Bayson, a mother whose child studies at Brgy. Mali-ao CDC.
“Nalipay gid kami as parents kay nakita namon sa amon kabataan ang ila yuhom kag excited sila nga makabaton sang gift. First time diri sa school nga may naghatag,” said Bayson.
The DGFFI and Panay News would also like to extend their utmost gratitude to the sponsors that made this endeavor possible: International Builders Corporation, Dunkin’ Donut, Solid Gold Food, Inc., Waffle Time, Universal Rubina, Optimized Customer Solution, Inc., Dakasi, Coca-Cola, KT KM Distributors Inc., Gardenia, Liwayway Marketing Corp., Bread and Butter, Philippine Spring Water Resources, Inc., Merzci, N1S/PN
