By Herman M. Lagon As the final whistle of RSCUAA 2024 fades, the spotlight turns to those who quietly made it all possible. The Public Relations Committee — composed of 50 campus journalists, student volunteers, faculty (me, included), and staff — worked diligently behind the scenes, embodying teamwork and service beyond the challenges to ensure …
Impulses
Embracing the perfectly imperfect
By Herman M. Lagon Imagine if beauty was not about being flawless but about celebrating life’s inevitable cracks and quirks. This is not just a fleeting Instagram trend or idealistic notion; it is the heart of Japan’s wabi-sabi philosophy. Rooted in accepting impermanence and imperfection, wabi-sabi shows us that beauty is found in the worn, …
SUCs in sync
By Herman M. Lagon Collaboration among state universities and colleges (SUCs) has become the cornerstone of an evolving educational landscape in the country. With a vision transcending institutional boundaries, SUCs today are forging partnerships prioritizing shared knowledge, resources and best practices. These collaborations strengthen education’s reach and depth, especially for communities that depend on SUCs …
Beyond the final whistle
By Herman M. Lagon Good sportsmanship is essential in athletics. Fair competition thrives on mutual respect for teammates, opponents and officials. True sportsmanship shifts the focus from winning alone to the character-building process inherent in every game. In a world driven by accolades and medals, the sportsmanlike athlete finds value in integrity just as much …
RSCUAA ‘24: One region, one game
By Herman M. Lagon The excitement is palpable as the RSCUAA Sports Festival and Conference 2024 kicks off in Western Visayas. Beginning December 15, 2024, athletes, coaches, students, parents, and supporters from across the region converge at the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) and various sports venues to compete, celebrate and …
The batchmates return!
By Herman M. Lagon After over three decades, attending a face-to-face high school reunion is a whirlwind of memories and emotions. My University of Iloilo High School (UIHS) Batch of 1991 is coming together this weekend, bridging miles and years. We have walked different paths, spreading across the country and even the globe, yet the …
Why do sports matter in schools?
By Herman M. Lagon Imagine the energy of the Tamasak gymnasium filled with cheers, the buzz of excitement in the upcoming RSCUAA 2024 Opening Ceremonies, or the shared thrill of scoring a point in a classroom volleyball game. For many, sports are more than games; they are life’s best teachers. In schools, sports are foundational …
Unveiling the spirit behind team names, colors
By Herman M. Lagon In every state university, team names and colors are more than just labels — they reflect the school’s heart and soul. As the Western Visayas Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (RSCUAA) Sports Festival and Conference 2024 approaches, schools from across the region will unite in Iloilo to compete from …
Dodging the straw man
By Herman M. Lagon In everyday conversations — whether with a friend, a colleague or in the heated worlds of politics and social media — it’s all too easy to fall into the “straw man” trap. This tactic distorts someone’s argument, making it easier to dismiss. Imagine setting up a scarecrow (or taó-táo) in a …
The noble villains
By Herman M. Lagon In many film universes, the best villains are those driven by almost sympathetic causes rather than pure destruction. Thanos, Magneto and Ra’s al Ghul are more than one-dimensional villains; they want to save the universe from overpopulation, protect mutants or restore balance. These anti-villains operate in moral gray areas, challenging our ideas of …