By Atty. SALVADOR B. BRITANICO
IN MY 84 years of life – two-thirds of them in public service and in the practice of law – I, naturally, met millions of people from all walks of life.
Most, I met them casually; many became my friends; and, a few became close friends until their deaths and for those still living until now.
Although, I casually met DANNY GUMBAN FAJARDO in Iloilo in early 1978 when I ran for Assemblyman of the Interim Batasang Pambansa, we met more frequently in Manila after the election. Our usual meeting places were in the Harrizon Plaza Mall, the lobby of Aloha Hotel where he usually stayed in Manila and at Britanico, Panganiban, Benitez, Africa, Linzangan and Barinaga Law Offices in Associated Bank Building, in front of the Department of Tourism, Kalaw Avenue, Manila.
We became friends – close friends at that – and were very comfortable in freely discussing the then current national and Iloilo local issues and concerns. I called him, “TO DANNY”.
Having known him for a longtime and well, I knew his struggles, ups and downs and his successes, not only in the publishing and newspaper industry but, more important, in raising-up well his children who grew up well educated, cultured and successful in their own lives. In fact, his eldest, Atty. Ade S. Fajardo, became the National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, a position not attained by any other llonggo.
Visibly, DANIEL GUMBAN FAJARDO is one of the most outstanding self-made men not only in Iloilo, in Western Visayas, but in the whole country.
In retrospect, I studied the “FORMULA” for TO DANNY’s SUCCESS. I learned them. First, AMBITION. He aspired early in his youth that he would improve his and his family’s status in life. Second, SELF-DISCIPLINE. He controlled, at least minimized, his weaknesses and maximized the use of his strength to achieve his ambition. Third, He was INDUSTRIOUS. He worked well and for long hours. Fourth, He was PERSISTENT. As usual to all, there were times that he initially failed in his tasks, but he did not give up. He remembered the adage that “Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” And, fifth, He PRAYED, mostly by himself, for God’s guidance and blessings. He remembered “That man proposes, but God disposes.”
TO DANNY, I am sure you are in paradise, happy and still looking over and whispering advices to your children, descendants and in-laws. I look forward to meeting you again when my time comes to fade away from the face of the earth. Until then, I will always remember with nostalgia our close friendship./PN
