ILOILO City — In a night meant to celebrate legacy, it was memory — deeply personal, quietly powerful — that took center stage.
For Cong. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda, the 45th anniversary of Panay News goes beyond honoring an institution. It is also remembering a man who helped shape her path long before she became one of Iloilo City’s most recognizable political figures.
Standing before a distinguished crowd at the Iloilo Convention Center on April 18, Baronda spoke not only as a lawmaker, but as a protégé — one whose journey was once quietly guided by the late Daniel “Danny” G. Fajardo.
“Forty-five years is not just a milestone; it is a testament to resilience,” Baronda said. “Tonight, we celebrate a news institution that has become a staple of our state and our guardian of local history.”
Her words echoed the public significance of Panay News — a publication that has chronicled the region’s triumphs and trials for decades. But as her speech unfolded, it became clear that her connection to the paper ran deeper than headlines and history.
“Rooted in truth, serving Ilonggos for 45 years is more than just a legacy — it is the DNA of Panay News,” she said, emphasizing that despite evolving technology and platforms, “the hunger for truth remains constant.”
Then, the tone shifted — from institutional praise to something more intimate.
“Many of you see him as a titan of Philippine journalism, a man of courage and conviction, but to me, he was one of the very first people who saw something in me that I hadn’t fully embraced myself,” she said.
It was a rare glimpse into Baronda’s early years — before the campaigns, before Congress — when belief often came from outside before it could take root within.
She recalled how Fajardo’s encouragement came at pivotal moments, including her eventual decision to run for Congress in 2019.
“He didn’t just believe in my platform; he believed in my capacity to serve the Ilonggos. He saw a Cong. Jam-jam before there ever was one,” Baronda said.
In those words lies the quiet power of mentorship: not merely guiding decisions, but shaping identity. For Baronda, Fajardo was not just a journalist or founder; he was a mirror reflecting a future she had yet to fully claim.
“I carry that encouragement with me… always demanding that we step up for Iloilo,” she said.
Even now, in the halls of the House of Representatives, that influence lingers — an invisible but enduring presence, urging, reminding, steadying.
Beyond the personal, Baronda returned to the broader role of journalism in an age where truth itself often feels contested.
“In an era where fake news can spread faster than the truth, we need an institution that stays rooted in truth,” she said, underscoring the enduring relevance of community journalism.
For her, Panay News is a chronicler.
“By documenting our struggles and celebrating our triumphs, you provide Ilonggos with mirrors of our best selves. You give a voice to the voiceless and a platform for our aspirations,” she added.
As the evening drew to a close, Baronda’s message became one of gratitude — not just to an institution, but to the people behind it, and to the legacy that continues to shape lives long after its founder is gone.
“These 45 years are an affirmation that your service to the community remains as sharp and as vital as it was on day one,” Baronda said. “Here’s to 45 more years of integrity, courage, and service.”
In celebrating Panay News, Baronda ultimately told a story far more personal: of belief passed from one generation to another, of a friendship that transcended profession, and of a legacy that lives not only in print — but in the people it helped shape./PN
