By Herman M. Lagon The art of euphemisms — like how Winston Churchill called a British parliament a liar by saying that he has just committed “terminological inexactitudeness” — is a flourishing tool in our everyday conversation. It is an unspoken skill, a dance around the truths of everyday life, where the gentle touch …
Impulses
Between populist and principled politics
By Herman M. Lagon When Rodrigo Duterte stepped down from Malacañang and Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. took over, a profound paradox emerged and shaped the country’s political narrative. The global tendency towards strongman leadership, which frequently muddies the lines between populism, authoritarianism and democratic values, is reflected in this transition, which is representative of the country’s …
Ode of defiance in ‘Dog Eaters’
By Herman M. Lagon As the lights dimmed at Cinema Exmundo in UP Visayas Cinematheque this Friday, April 19, anticipation coursed through the audience at the Leoncio P. Deriada Conference on Literature and Cultural Work. The spotlight was on Kevin Piamonte’s “Dog Eaters,” a film that transcends mere adaptation to powerfully reimagine Leoncio Deriada’s …
Wanted, real senators!
By Herman M. Lagon We stand at a crossroads in the 2025 senatorial elections, influenced by the appeal of celebrities and the pressing need for efficient leadership. The names that have been popular in recent polls are more easily recognized in the entertainment industry than in legislative discussions and policymaking. This tendency highlights a …
Pageantry beyond crowns
By Herman M. Lagon In a world often dazzled by surface beauty, Jade Lyn Buenavides stands as a living symbol of profound growth and resilience. She weaves together her academic pursuits with the sparkle of pageantry. Her journey transcends the traditional path of a beauty queen, showcasing a compelling blend of intellectual rigor and poised elegance …
Father’s tale of virtually letting go
By Dr. Herman M. Lagon Writing this piece has sent tingling feelings through my bones, including pride, nostalgia and melancholy. My daughter, Psyche Mae, will enter a new, crucial chapter of her life this Friday, April 12, and it will be more than just another day on the calendar. The lively and adventurous girl who clutched …
Bytes of campus news
By Herman M. Lagon Campus journalism has evolved into a powerful force in school communities in the digital age, giving students a forum to express their ideas, disseminate news and encourage activism and responsibility. The days of waiting weeks, even months, for the publication of the school newspaper are long gone. With the speed of …
In between aspirations and empirical evidence
By Herman M. Lagon Humanity has always been fascinated and in awe of the vastness of the universe. It addresses some of our deepest existential concerns and is the area where philosophy, science and spirituality frequently meet. The age-old query at the center of all of this is: Are we alone in the universe? When …
Whips for flogging as symbols of suffering
By Dennis Gorecho Whips symbolize suffering — Christ in the hands of the Roman soldiers, and the cruelties to Filipinos under Spanish colonial rule. Filipino Catholics are known for having sincere, enormous and extreme expressions of piety considering that the country has the third-largest Catholic population in the world. The fervent devotion and faith shown by devotees became …
Valor beyond Bataan
By Herman M. Lagon As we commemorate the Fall of Bataan this April 9, I invite you to review with me the complex web of the history and heroism of our people. This pivotal day reminds us to pause, contemplate and act in the midst of the present issues on sovereignty disputes, economic uncertainties, …