BY SALVACION “SALLY” Z. PEREZ
WHEN my good friend Danny Fajardo passed away three years ago, I was not only shocked but deeply saddened because I was just talking to him over the phone a few days before his untimely death. Of course, I went to his wake where flowers and guests were overflowing. Danny was a friend to everybody!
As we observe his third death anniversary, I did not hesitate to accept his children’s request to talk about their father. It’s never too late to pay tribute to a dear friend who was almost like a brother to me.
Maybe this is the first time that the family of Danny will learn that their Dad was both my political mentor and ardent defender. When I first ran for Antique Governor in 2001 I was known as a Manila girl and did not know much about Antique politics. Since I already met Danny in Manila, I asked him to be my political adviser and indeed, he was an excellent adviser, especially in PR matters. Antique was very special to Danny and I learned later that he was married to Mary, an Antiqueña who was very devoted to him.
I served Antique for three terms or a total of nine years. All throughout those years, Panay News was almost like my personal mouthpiece. Countless favorable articles about my performance always appeared in this biggest circulated regional newspaper. I was the envy of many local politicians! There was a time when Danny had a TV program and every time I was in Iloilo I would be his guest. Appearances like this contributed much to the success of my chairmanship of Western Visayas Regional Development Council.
I was much associated with Panay News that when I joined President Cory Aquino’s state visit to America in 1986 I was accredited to her press corps as representative of Panay News. I gratefully told Danny that I had a wonderful time because I was able to attend all engagements of Tita Cory.
Like a true journalist, Danny Fajardo was fearless. He exposed so many anomalies thus stepping on toes of powerful people. I remember Danny telling me that so many libel cases were filed against him but to my knowledge all these libel cases were dismissed.
Fearless in his profession, I discovered that Danny had a very kind heart. He was always ready to extend assistance to the unfortunate. He took good care of his staff and treated them like members of his family. When my cousin Sammy Julian got sick he raised a lot of money to pay for his medical bills.
My friends, I would go on and on reminiscing about Danny Fajardo but I shall end here by expressing to his children my affection and gratitude to a great man – your Dad who was my dear friend, my mentor, my loyal supporter and to whom I was always known as Inday Sally./PN
