Impulses

  By Herman M. Lagon   Many, especially Ateneans and alumni of Jesuit schools, find consolation with St. Ignatius of Loyola, fondly known as “St. Iggy.” His life and teachings remain profoundly relevant today. Born in Spain in 1491, Ignatius had a promising career as a courtier and soldier. When a cannonball struck him — …

  By Herman M. Lagon In late 2016, I was privileged to attend the World Educational Leadership Summit at the Kallang Theater in Singapore. Dr. Eric Mazur, the esteemed dean of the Physics Department at Harvard University, said these immortal words: “Failure to innovate is to become obsolete, irrelevant and useless.” As we think about the …

  By Herman M. Lagon Hyperbole, by its nature, amplifies our expressions, making the mundane magnificent and the simple, spectacular. Here’s one for the books. Imagine a fiesta in Iloilo, where the atmosphere is “charged with excitement thicker than a bibingka’s sweet coconut topping.” The town plaza, usually as “quiet as a library,” transforms into a …

  By Herman M. Lagon As I sit here on the eve of my daughter Parvane Mae’s graduation from West Visayas State University – College of Medicine (WVSU-COM), a flood of mixed emotions engulfs me. It feels like I was guiding her through her first tentative steps only yesterday, and now I am on the …

  By Sonny Angara By the end of this month, a new school year will officially start. Using the numbers recorded last year for SY 2023-2024, we can reasonably expect that more or less 27 million learners will be enrolling in the basic education system this time around — 23.2 million in public schools, 3.7 million …

  By Herman M. Lagon When the Supreme Court clarified on Friday, July 12, 2024, that it had not issued a ruling to compel Congress to pass an anti-dynasty law, it was not just a correction of misinformation. It was a reminder of a long-standing political issue that continues to elude resolution. SC spokesperson Camille Ting …

  By Herman M. Lagon Technology integration drives meaningful change in today’s fast-changing education system. The ongoing STEP 2024 Conference at Marist School Marikina underscores this transformation, highlighting how technology liberates educators and, in effect, empowers students. Professional development, teacher collaboration and the integration of advanced classroom technology enhance teacher capabilities, enrich learning and elevate …

By Herman M. Lagon Student clubs thrive beyond lecture halls and libraries in university corridors. These organizations foster transformative leadership, not just extracurriculars. Students learn, network and become global leaders here. According to leadership guru Chris Lowney, in these settings, bravery, courage and a commitment to positive change define heroic leadership. Heroic university club leadership …

  impulsesBy Herman M. Lagon Amidst changing global dynamics and internal obstacles, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is at a turning point, ready to reassume its position as a furnace for leadership and national service. Looking back on my time as a reserved officer, I can see how important it is to shape disciplined, …

  By Herman M. Lagon The National Achievement Test (NAT) and the Basic Education Exit Assessment (BEEA) have been central to the debate on the country’s education quality. These are designed to gauge our students’ academic proficiency and preparedness in Grades 3, 6, 10, and 12. However, challenges and concerns have been raised over the …