By Herman M. Lagon In a society that is too fixated on wealth, power, fame, and the unrelenting quest for more, it is easy to forget the actual pleasures around us. These luxuries do not come with a price tag or a brand name, yet they hold the value that no money can buy. These
October 11, 2024
During a recent chat with my friend Jennifer Ladrido in our Group Chat, she asked me, “What party-list are you voting for?” The query struck a nerve in a landscape where party-lists often get tangled in political theatrics. It got me thinking about how these groups have frequently drifted away, almost
October 9, 2024
Many people see kindness as a form of self-sacrifice—that is, putting the needs of others before one’s own. Genuine kindness, however, is self-care so that one may more sustainably and effectively serve others. Under this perspective, self-care becomes a selfless deed that maintains the mental clarity and energy required to help
October 7, 2024
Imagine a world without teachers: one absent of the buzz of learning in the classroom, one excluding students from being shaped into future professionals, and one devoid of support for those looking for guidance during their formative years. We owe our teachers much more than a single day of celebration because
October 5, 2024
In today’s rapidly changing world, “wokeness” often dominates discussions around social justice. While the movement aims to promote social justice and human rights, it can sometimes deepen divides and alienate people. Critics like David Brooks argue that the issue often lies in how wokeness is applied rather than the causes it
October 4, 2024
It was an emotional moment when Rynshien Joy Olivete, the Managing Director of Dakila Iloilo Collective, stood up after the screening of the award-winning Tumandok. Her voice shook, her words punctuated by tears, yet her message echoed powerfully across the cinema. Olivete’s speech, much like the film itself, was a passionate
October 2, 2024
A silent revolution is underway in the busy field of education, where the curriculum always demands, and the clock is continuously running. This change is about something far more fundamental than flashy technology or popular teaching approaches—our attitudes. Psychologist Carol Dweck first proposed the idea that students’ and teachers’ view of
September 29, 2024
A hidden economy lives in the sparkling blue expanse of our oceans and seas—one that promises sustainable development but only if carefully, respectfully, and foresightedly fostered. Not only a buzzword, the blue economy—which consists of sustainable use of ocean resources for economic development, livelihoods, and the health of marine ecosystems—is also
September 28, 2024
Long contested for its advantages and disadvantages, nuclear energy has made a comeback as a potential remedy for the energy crisis facing the Philippines. It’s becoming more and more clear that the country needs a strong, dependable energy solution as brownouts and growing electricity bills plague the country. Now for nuclear
September 27, 2024
Tumandok’s September 19 showing at Robinsons Jaro Cinema was more than just a showcase for the multi-awarded movie; it was an intensely moving and thought-provoking event. Along with several well-known like-minded collectives, my daughter Parvane and I could not help but cry throughout the film. It became impossible to look away
September 25, 2024
The power of the film lies not just in the story it tells but in the voices it echoes. “Ang Mga Alingawngaw sa Panahon ng Pagpapasya” (Echoes in the Midst of Indecision) is one such film—a window into the depths of human choice, bravery, and the quiet wars fought within the
September 23, 2024
The demand to revisit this sinister period in our history becomes more pressing as we commemorate Martial Law’s 52nd anniversary. “Never again, never forget” echoes loudly, reminding us not only of the terrible persecution of the past but also of the terrifying reality that history may repeat itself should we be negligent.
September 21, 2024