Impulses

By Herman M. Lagon It is shocking and heart-wrenching: A government office with barely a dozen in a high-tech air-conditioned boardroom, just blocks from a public school where students sit elbow-to-elbow, some writing on laps, others pinched next to the door — or worse, learning from a shade tree. This is not unusual. It is …

By Herman M. Lagon Walk into any classroom or office and the air will likely hum with a familiar tune: “Good morning, Ma’am!” “Magandang araw po, Sir!” These greetings are not just protocol; they are instinct. We say them without thinking, like second nature passed down through generations. Our words bow before our bodies do. …

By Herman M. Lagon There are films that entertain, and there are films that stay with you even after you have seen the end credits. Tyler Perry’s “Straw” belongs to the latter. It is not a film that demands applause for its polish or restraint. It is a cry. It is unfiltered. It is, in …

By Herman M. Lagon In today’s fast-changing classrooms, especially when it comes to math, digital tools are no longer a luxury — they’re becoming a real necessity. For many Filipino students who see math as something to fear, technology might just be the helping hand they need. One tool that’s been making a noticeable difference …

By Herman M. Lagon Filipinos have this quietly beautiful way of showing love — not always with big words, but with small, thoughtful acts. One of the most tender examples of this? The balikbayan box. At first glance, it might look like just a cardboard container wrapped in duct tape. But anyone who’s ever received …

By Herman M. Lagon You don’t need to be in a warzone to feel how close you are to something the planet will regret. These days, it feels like pain is everywhere. Somewhere, a war rages. Somewhere else, families are picking up what’s left or waiting for the next hit. The names change, but the …

By Herman M. Lagon The PISA results are out, and the message is hard to ignore. Filipino learners are not just behind in math, reading and science — they are also struggling with creativity. In the latest international assessment, the Philippines landed in the bottom four out of 64 countries for creative thinking. Our 15-year-olds …

By Herman M. Lagon Some classrooms stay with you not because of their tech or sleek furniture, but because they feel alive. In one of the humblest I ever visited — no aircon, no smartboards — the walls told the story. There were hand-drawn posters, taped-up maps, portraits of Filipino heroes with student captions, and …

By Herman M. Lagon Anyone who’s ever taught in a public high school — where ceiling fans groan louder than the students — knows how tough Philippine education can be. So when talk of ditching K-12 resurfaces, it is worth asking: Are we solving the problem or just repainting a crumbling wall? Reform is necessary. …

By Herman M. Lagon Sometimes, the sharpest truths do not come from the streets or the news. They come from voices like that of retired Justice Antonio T. Carpio — quiet, steady and deeply rooted in principle. His recent post, “The Blind Leading The Lost,” cuts deeper than usual. This was not the filtered caution …