Dec. 24, 1945 – Sept. 10, 2018
“There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone the light remains.” – Unknown
IN April 7, 1981 he founded Panay News as an alternative press.
It has been 42 years.
“After many years of painful sacrifices, I can proudly say that Panay News has already come of age, served the best interest of the reading public, and particularly made the Ilonggos proud of themselves – they have a courageous newspaper, a democratic ingredient of a free press,” he once said.
The men and women of Panay News constantly draw inspiration from the direction our beloved founder set out for the paper, now the biggest regional daily.
“We want the public to know the truth by calling a spade a spade,” said Sir Danny. “Journalists should stay courageous in upholding a free press and telling people the truth.”
Words are inadequate to express our deepest gratitude to the great man whose goal to expand the frontiers of press freedom touched the lives of many. He remains an inspiration and a source of our wisdom and strength.
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A true friend, an idol, and a Robinhood. These, among others, are how special people close to the late founder of Panay News remember Daniel “Danny” G. Fajardo. On his fourth death anniversary, they recall with fondness the great man who was not only a towering figure in Western Visayas’ media but also a friend, a second father and a personal hero.
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Sa kaadlawan sang pagtaliwan ni Manong Danny, ang akon bug-os nga pamilya nagadumdom gid. Ginadumdom ko ang amon gin-imawan. Sa pag-serbisyo ko sa mga pumoluyo, kon mang-imbitar kara kang una si Manong sa akon nga ma-guest (sa Reklamo Publiko program), indi gid ako maka-indi. I have been a fan of him.
I learned a lot of things from him. Duro nga mga advises nga natao na man kag na-share kanakon. I have so many memories with him, so with my family and friends, mga amigo ko sa ana panel – dayan kanday Ibrahim, Kamlon, John Sapio, Nang Nitz, kanday Herbert kag kaduro pa nga iban.
With him, nangin malipayon kag aktibo ang local media naton kag katong nga tiempo, waay pa mga social media kag internet, very cohesive kag very leader kang Region 6 media.
We pray for your soul. I know you are in a good situation. Tanan-tanan kami nagapangamuyo sa imo.
God bless your soul, Manong Danny.” – UNDERSECRETARY JESRY T. PALMARES, Department Agrarian Reform
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“Pare Danny was a person that can be called a Robinhood. As for me, Pare Danny indi gid ikaw malipatan. You’re a fighter, manugbulig kag wala pili. Manogbulig sang tanan, especially sa mga gina-api.
You’re a part of my success, Pare. Thank you and we love you now and forever. – GREG GONZALEZ ABECIA and FELY GEGATO-ABECIA, Operators, Gegato-Abecia Funeral Homes Inc. & Crematory
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I consider Dan a true, special friend of the Sarabia Family. We respect each other and I love him dearly.
My unforgettable memory of Dan – I called him up not to publish any transaction of the family and he respected that.
Dan never failed to give me a Christmas present and in return I always got him a tie. – DR. SANDRA SARABIA-GOMEZ, Chairman, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Iloilo
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I have countless memories of Tito and Maninoy Dan. He was like a father and I was a son to him. He helped me a lot when I was enrolled in the College of Law and during the bar exams.
Tito Dan also recommended me in my first job in Manila in 2000.
He used to come to my house to get an update of my life, my career and all.
The media industry lost a principled, kind-hearted and talented man whose colorful life and great contribution in our society cannot be easily forgotten. He is always missed and cherished. – COUNCILOR PLARIDEL NAVA, Iloilo City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod
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A very dear and good friend, Dan Fajardo was the first person I informed when I applied for a (power distribution) franchise in Iloilo City.
Why did I choose to call Danny?
Danny was very sincere friend. We developed our friendship when I started with Palm Concepcion Power Corporation. I remember him saying I was the only person able to convince him to go to the power plant. He spent a day, and I oriented him about it, and brought him around.
That friendship really flourished and I consider Danny to be one of my confidantes when it comes to doing business in Iloilo.
When we applied for that franchise for the distribution utility in Iloilo City, it was Danny who was one of the first persons I called. And little did I know that it was to be my last conversation with him.
Dan, if you were still here, you would be my kausap every now and then, even to share the hardships, the difficulties, the challenges as well as the successes that MORE Power has been through.
All of the things that we are doing here for the consumers, part of them are really dedicated to a very good and sincere friend, Danny Fajardo. – ROEL Z. CASTRO, President and Chief Executive Officer, MORE Electric and Power Corporation/PN
