SAN JOSE, Antique – Panay News, the No. 1 regional newspaper, and the Daniel G. Fajardo Foundation, Inc. brought cheer to a total of 700 senior citizens in two barangays here yesterday.
As part of its 41st anniversary celebration, Panay News and the foundation named after its founder deemed it wise to be a blessing to the elderly by showering them with gift packs.
The first stop on Sunday morning was Barangay San Pedro, San Jose. There were over 500 senior citizen-recipients that gathered at the village’s covered gym.
In the afternoon, 200 more senior citizens, this time in Barangay 8, were blessed with gift packs. The venue was the third floor of Robinsons Place Antique.
To be of assistance to the elderly is part of Panay News’ corporate social responsibility.
It’s a way of giving back to the community that have been supportive through the years, according to Atty. Abdiel Dan Elijah “Ade” Fajardo, Panay News chairman of the board and son of the paper’s founders Daniel Fajardo and Maria Santillan.
“Ang akon nanay nga si Maria Santillan giya na-gradwar valedictorian sa San Pedro Elementary School. Amo ran nga ako taga-San Pedro. Kag rigyan gid ako nagbahul sa Bagumbayan sa San Jose,” said Fajardo.
Serving the community through journalism and beyond newspapering is a legacy of his parents that Fajardo said he and his siblings will carry on.
Panay News was founded on April 7, 1981.
“Ang akon tatay nagpatukod kang Panay News. Kang una tama gid kagamay nga pamantalaan pero tulad institution run kadya – ang una nga pahayagan nga Ilonggo nga adlaw-adlaw nagagwa…Amo ran nga nagapasalamat kami nga mga bata…Ginpanubli kang amon ginikanan ang pag-ulikid kag pagbalik sa mga kasimanwa para sa anda nga bwas damlag,” said Fajardo.
Salvacion Ustan, 73, of Barangay 8, was grateful.
“Duro gid nga salamat kay nahatagan naman kami sang bulig sang Panay News. Nadumdoman man kami nga mga senior citizens,” she said.
The gift packs included rice, canned goods, drinks, bread, slippers and medicines./PN
