By Herman M. Lagon When I was a boy at Bo. Obrero Elementary School in the mid-1980s, my teachers would remind us every day: “Kung wala pa basurahan, dal-a anay sa bulsa (If there is no trash bin yet, keep it in your pocket for now).” It was simple: Tuck candy wrappers in your pocket …
Impulses
Who gets the credit?
By Herman M. Lagon Science class usually begins with a small, familiar ritual no one notices. The teacher writes Newton. Then Einstein. Maybe Curie if the day feels generous. Students nod because those names have become the celebrity roster of human intelligence. It is the academic version of hearing the Beatles, Jordan or Vice Ganda …
Habits that make great leaders
By Herman M. Lagon You might not spot them right away. They are rarely the ones in tailored suits or hogging the mic. In a world loud with image and ego, the real leaders move quietly. They listen more, give more and often face the hardest tasks before most of us even start our day. …
The wrong lesson
By Herman M. Lagon Most people attend review sessions expecting answers. One aspiring teacher left with more questions. What began as a discussion about the drug war eventually became a conversation about discernment, human dignity and the example being set before future teachers. I have never believed that teachers should leave their political views at …
The weight of trust
By Herman M. Lagon Tab Baldwin’s resignation was always going to be big news. For nearly a decade, he was one of the most recognizable faces in Philippine collegiate basketball. Four championships, countless victories and a reputation that stretched far beyond Katipunan. So when word came this Monday that he had stepped down following the …
Clout without commitment
By Herman M. Lagon In every organization — from schools to professional organizations — election season feels predictable. Out come the polished speeches and the photo-ready smiles. Pledges of “service,” “commitment” and “vision” fill the air like confetti. But once the spotlight fades and the paperwork piles up, many of those loudest in promise become …
Passing the problem
By Herman M. Lagon School gates are suddenly alive again. The first days of school are filled with small moments that matter. Parents take photos beside freshly ironed uniforms. A student gathers the courage to speak. A teacher memorizes unfamiliar names. And somewhere between those moments, another year of learning begins. Hope arrives every June …
The anthem we half-sing
By Herman M. Lagon A public school Monday morning is easy to picture. The courtyard fills with uneven lines of students, some sleepy, some still eating pandesal. A teacher fiddles with the speaker. The flag rises and “Lupang Hinirang” begins. For a minute and a half, the courtyard echoes with the anthem — some voices …
Dynasties bill loophole
By Herman M. Lagon A few days ago, while having coffee with friends, somebody cracked a joke that drew more laughter than it probably deserved. “If political dynasties are the ones writing the anti-dynasty law, that is like asking mosquitoes to draft anti-dengue measures.” Everyone laughed. Then everyone paused. Because some jokes are funny for …
The work-life dilemma
By Herman M. Lagon Ask many Filipino workers about work-life balance and you will receive a weary smile. With heavy hours, family duties and the continual strain to make ends meet, there’s frequently little time left for themselves. Our country is second to last among 60 countries on the Global Life-Work Balance Index 2024, behind …