By Herman M. Lagon The phrase “snowflake generation” has become popular in public conversation recently, mostly as a negative moniker for Generation Z (ages 12 to 27) and Millennials (ages 28 to 43). This word conjures images of fragility, oversensitivity and an incapacity to manage conflicting points of view or hardship. Underneath this frigid exterior, …
Impulses
Impeachment, interrupted again!?
By Herman M. Lagon The Supreme Court’s decision to stop the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte hit a nerve for many of us. I’m no lawyer, but I’ve taken a couple of subjects in constitution, logic, law, and legislation, worked for years in newsrooms, and spent more than two decades as an educator to …
Zeal for all the things of God
By Fr. Roy Cimagala This is what we can learn from that gospel episode of Christ driving those who converted the temple into a market place (cfr. John 2:13-25), which is the gospel reading. We need to develop this zeal because otherwise our heart can only be captured by earthly things that in the end …
The missing Ph in PhD
By Herman M. Lagon There it was, a post quietly tucked between vacation selfies and food reels: “Train PhD students to be thinkers, not just specialists.” I almost scrolled past it. But something about the line arrested me. Maybe it was the exhaustion I had felt from meetings where so-called experts could explain every bit …
Silly Qs, smart As
By Herman M. Lagon No one warned me that the most thought-provoking part of judging a university-wide non-teaching personnel event would happen at the foot of the picturesque Almadria Highlands in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. As an academician, I expected fashion, talent and maybe a few standing ovations. But I did not expect a Q&A portion …
St. Peter Faber’s compass
By Herman M. Lagon Each August 1st, we honor the quiet, reflective man whose legacy endures, particularly for those with an inclination for listening, healing and inner transformation. This is St. Peter Faber, co-founder of the Society of Jesus and Pope Francis’ go-to Jesuit, whose death occurred on this date in 1546. His name does …
From chaos to caution
By Herman M. Lagon During a quick stop at a quiet café near UP Visayas, I found myself saying something I never thought I would — defending President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. It was not because I had changed sides, nor because I had forgotten martial law’s shadows or the promise of the Leni Robredo movement. …
Children as retirement plans?
By Herman M. Lagon At a small carinderia just a few minutes’ walk from the district hospital, I overheard a tricycle driver explaining to his seatmate, “Kun indi mo maalagaan ang imo amay, pwede ka kuno prisuhon.” The other man, who appeared to be in his early 30s, laughed uneasily and replied, “Eh paano kun …
Coming home in blue, maroon
By Herman M. Lagon This weekend, I will be coming home twice — once in blue, once in maroon. Two schools. Two identities. Two sets of memories. But one grateful heart returning to where so much of who I am was shaped, sharpened and sent out into the world. On Saturday night, July 26, I will walk back …
Truth, justice, mercy always prevail in the end
By Fr. Roy Cimagala We have to build up our conviction in this truth of our faith. God always is in control of things, no matter how twisted things in our life can be. The truth that can only come from God, his justice and mercy will always prevail in the end. We may have …