ILOILO City — In an age where information travels fast but truth often struggles to keep pace, Panay News marks its 45th anniversary not merely as a survivor of time, but as a steadfast institution anchored on a simple yet enduring promise: to tell the truth and serve the Ilonggo people.
What began in 1981 as what many would have dismissed as an improbable gamble has become Western Visayas’ most widely read regional daily — a transformation powered not by resources or privilege, but by conviction.
At the heart of this journey was its founder, Daniel G. Fajardo, who believed that journalism, at its core, is public service.
A BEGINNING FORGED IN FAITH AND SACRIFICE
The story of Panay News is one of grit. In its earliest days, there was no printing press, no large newsroom, and barely enough resources to sustain operations.
Fajardo knocked on the doors of printing presses across Iloilo, negotiating for the lowest costs and longest payment terms. At times, he even flew manuscripts to Manila just to save on printing expenses — returning with bundles of freshly printed newspapers carried on his shoulders.
It was, in every sense, a labor of faith.
Beside him from the very beginning was his wife, Maria Santillan-Fajardo, known to many as “Madam Mary,” whose quiet strength helped sustain what would later become a pillar of regional journalism.
“The success of the paper did not come overnight,” she recalled. “It required arduous labor and a lot of patience.”
A CLEAR MISSION: TELL THE TRUTH
If there is one principle that defines Panay News, it is this: truth above all.
“Journalists should stay courageous in upholding press freedom and telling people the truth. They should not be cowed,” Fajardo once said.
He understood early on that the pursuit of truth would not be easy.
“There are enemies of press freedom… they are big people — they have the force, power and influence,” he warned.
Yet the directive remained resolute: “Don’t be cowed. Tell the truth.”
This philosophy would define the paper’s identity — at times controversial, often challenged, but always essential.
From its earliest years, Panay News positioned itself as an “alternative press,” willing to ask difficult questions, expose uncomfortable truths, and give voice to the unheard.
A ‘SEED OF TRUTH’ THAT GREW
What Fajardo planted was not merely a newspaper, but what Madam Mary aptly described as a “seed of truth.”
That seed grew — through elections, crises, disasters, and societal shifts — into a publication that informs, educates, and engages communities across Western Visayas.
“We need to make the people aware and get them involved, and that is through reporting what is true,” Madam Mary said.
Over the years, Panay News has not only reported on events but has also shaped discourse — influencing governance, amplifying public concerns, and inspiring civic participation.
MORE THAN A NEWSPAPER: A FAMILY AND A COMMUNITY
Beyond headlines and pages, Panay News is, at its core, a family.
“It is a family affair because you are considered family,” Madam Mary said, referring to the people behind the publication.
From editorial to circulation, from marketing to administration, the strength of the paper has always been its people — individuals bound not just by profession, but by shared purpose.
The torch has been passed to the next generation of the Fajardo family, who continue to guide the organization while preserving the values instilled by its founders.
Madam Mary remains confident: the legacy will endure.
“I know Panay News will stay long in the industry… I trust that you will continue it,” she said.
EVOLVING WITH THE TIMES
Even as a champion of print, Fajardo recognized the need to adapt.
“Our world is a revolving machine,” he said, urging the paper to evolve with technology and changing times.
That vision has carried Panay News into the digital age.
From its traditional print roots, it has expanded into online platforms and social media, reaching audiences far beyond Western Visayas — including Filipinos across the globe.
The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the role of credible journalism, as the paper continued to deliver timely and accurate information despite unprecedented challenges.
SERVICE BEYOND THE NEWSROOM
True to its mission of service, Panay News has extended its reach beyond journalism.
Through initiatives led by the Daniel G. Fajardo Foundation Inc., the organization has conducted medical missions, outreach programs, and assistance to communities in need — reinforcing the belief that journalism must not only inform, but also uplift.
45 YEARS LATER: THE MISSION CONTINUES
Forty-five years on, Panay News stands as more than a publication. It is a witness to history. A platform for truth. A partner of the Ilonggo community. Its journey has been marked by struggle, resilience, and growth — but above all, by an unyielding commitment to its founding ideals.
The goal remains as clear today as it was in 1981: to deliver reliable, credible, and meaningful news to the Ilonggos.
As the paper enters its 46th year, the challenge is no longer just survival — but relevance in an increasingly complex media landscape. Yet if history is any guide, Panay News will continue to rise. Because long before it became a leading newspaper, it became something more enduring: A promise.
And that promise — rooted in truth, driven by service — lives on. (Rex J. Maestrecampo/PN)
